CONDUCTOMETRIC TITRATION

Aim:

To determine the strength of given HCl solution using a standard NaOH

solution by performing a conductometric titration

Apparatus Required:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

Conductometer CL-250
Burette (50 ml)
Graduated Pippette (10 ml)
Beaker (100 ml)
Measuring Cylinder (100 mL)
Beaker (250 ml)

Reagents Required:
1. Distilled Water (500 ml)
2. 1 NNaOH
3. HCl

Theory:
The specific electrical conductivity and the electrical conductance are a measure of the
ability of a solution, a metal or a gas in brief all materials to conduct an electrical
current. In solutions, the current is carried by cations and anions whereas in metals it is
carried by electrons. If a substance has a high electrical conductance G, the electrical or
ohmic resistance R is low. The electrical conductance G is the reciprocal of the
resistance R:

The unit of R is the Ohm and the unit of G is the Siemens.

To measure the electrical conductance, a voltage is applied to the electrode pairs and
the current that flows is measured. During this process, the cations migrate to the
negative electrode, the anions to the positive electrode and the solution acts as an
electrical conductor.
A conductor is defined by its length and cross-section. The smaller the electrode gap l
and the larger the electrode area A, the larger the measurable current at the same
electrolyte concentration and same voltage. The electrical conductance G is given by
the equation:

Where A is the electrode area, l the electrode gap, is the specific conductivity and
the specific resistance. and are material constants with the units S/m and Wm. This
equation also illustrates the relation between the specific conductivity and the
conductance G.
The quotient of the length and area is the cell constant K (resulting in the unit m-1):

In this experiment, the conductivity of a solution is utilized as an indicator for

determining the end-point of a strong acid-strong base titration. The base solution is
standard while the concentration of acid is unknown.
A fixed quantity of the solution of strong acid is taken in a beaker and its initial
conductivity is recorded. Being a strong electrolyte, the conductivity value will be large.
To this, if we start adding a strong base solution, we find that the conductivity falls
slightly in the beginning. This is because the added strong electrolyte is consumed
completely in the neutralization reaction, and hence the ionic concentration doesnt
appreciate much. On the other hand, dilution of the existing ions due to increase in
volume causes the conductivity to decrease. However, as soon as the equivalence point
is reached, the added ions of the strong base remain free in solution, and hence beyond
this point, further addition of base leads to a sharp rise in the conductivity of the
solution.
To determine the end point, the observed conductivity of the solution is plotted against
the volume added. Conductivity values follow two distinct linear trends before and after
the equivalence point, as can be seen in the following schematic diagram:

Procedure:
Preparation of Solutions:
Preparation of 0.1N NaOH solution:
Pipette out 10 ml of the given1 N NaOH solution and transfer it to a 100 mL measuring
cylinder. Dilute it up to the mark with distilled water.

Performing the Titration:

1. Wash the burette with distilled water and mount it on the stand.
2. Fill the standard base solution (prepared earlier) into the burette. Open the
stopper and allow the solution to flow back into the beaker to remove the air from
the burette. Once a continuous solution column is achieved, close the knob and
put the solution back into the burette.
3. Note the initial volume level in the burette.
4. Using a 100 mL measuring cylinder, take out 30 mL of the HCl solution into a 100
mL beaker.
5. Dip the conductivity cell into the beaker and turn the conductometer on. Measure
the initial conductivity of the sodium carbonate solution.
6. From the burette, start adding the strong base solution in 1.0 mL increments.
Note down the conductivity after each increment.
7. Continue with the previous step till about 45 mL and then empty the burette into a
waste container.

8. Plot a graph between the observed conductivity value and the volume of acid
added. Locate the end point as the intersection of the two lines (see figure in
theory).
9. Calculate the strength using the data obtained.

Observation Table:
Tabulate the volume added and the observed conductivity.

Calculations:
Following is the relation applicable for calculating the Normality of HCl :
N1V1 = N2V2
Here, N1= Concentration of base = 0.1N,
V1= volume of base required for complete neutralization (read from graph), and
V2= volume of acid taken = 30 mL.
Once the normality of HCl is calculated, its strength in g/L can be calculated by multiplying the normality with the molecular weight:
Strength (in g/L)= N2 X 36.5

Result:
Report the strength of HCl solution obtained as the final outcome.

Precautions:
1. In general, be very careful when handling expensive glassware.
2. Concentrated acids are very corrosive to human skin; exercise extreme caution
while handling them.
3. Addition of acid to the base should be slow enough to keep the effervescence in
control, otherwise it could cause spillage.