TABLE OF CONTENT

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TITLE
Abstract
Introduction
Aims
Theory
Apparatus
Procedure
Results and Calculations
Discussion
Conclusion
Recommendations
Reference
Appendix

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ABSTRACT
Vinegar is a common use especially in cooking. Vinegar is diluted solution of acetic acid. The
molecular formula of acetic acid is CH 3COOH. In this experiment, vinegar has been titrated
with NaOH solution. The percent by mass of acetic acid in vinegar is determined by titration
and several calculations involved to determine the molarity of acetic acid present in vinegar
together its mass. From the titration curve, student is able to determine the equivalence point
of the reaction.

INTRODUCTION
A solution is a homogenous mixture composed of only one phase. In such mixture, a solute is
a substance dissolved in another substance, known as solvent. The solvent does the
dissolving. The solution more less takes on the characteristics of the solvent including its
phase and the solvent is commonly major fraction of the mixture. The concentration of a
solute in a solution is a measure of how much of that solute dissolved in the solvent.
Concentration of solution is also can be expressed in term of molarity and percent by mass.
Molarity is defined as the number of moles of solute per liter of solution.
Molarity ( M )=

moles of solute(mol)
liter of solution( L)

(Equation 1.1)

Percent by mass is the mass in grams of solute per 100 grams of solutions
Percent solute=

grams of solute
x 100
grams of solution

(Equation 1.2)

Acetic acid is a weak acid with molecular formula CH 3COOH. Vinegar is the dilute solution
of acetic acid. The molarity and percent by mass of acetic acid in vinegar solution can be
determined by performing titration. Titration is the process of determining the concentration
of a solution by adding to its standard reagent of known concentration in carefully measured
amounts until a reaction of definite and known proportion is completed, as shown by a
colour changes or electrical measurement, and next calculating the unknown concentration.
The purpose of titration is to determine the equivalence point of the reaction .The equivalence
point is reach when the added quantity of one reactant is the exact amount necessary for
stoichiometric reaction with another reactant.

OBJECTIVES
The aim in this experiment is to determine the molarity and percent by mass of acetic acid in
vinegar by titration with standardized sodium hydroxide, NaOH solution.

THEORY
In titration process, a burette is used to dispense a small, quantifiable increment of solution of
known concentration. A typical burette has the smallest calibration unit of 0.1mL , therefore
the volume dispensed from the burette should be estimated to the nearest 0.05mL.

In this experiment, the equivalence point occurs when the moles of acid in the solution equals
the moles of base added in the titration. For example, the stoichiometric amount of 1 mole of
strong base, sodium hydroxide(NaOH) is necessary to neutralize 1 mole of the weak acid,
acetic acid( CH3COOH), as indicated in Equation 1.3
NaOH(aq) + CH3COOH(aq) NaCH3CO2(aq) + H2O

(Equation 1.3)

The sudden change in the solution pH shows the titration has reached the equivalence point.
pH in an aqueous solution is related to its hydrogen ion concentration. Symbolically, the
hydrogen ion concentration is written as [H3O]+. pH is defined as the negative of the
logarithm of the hydrogen ion concentration.
+

pH=log 10 [H 3 O]

( Eqution 1.4)

pH is the measure of acidity or basicity of an aqueous solution. Solutions with a pH less than
7 are said to be acidic and solutions with a pH greater than 7 are basic or alkaline. Pure water
has a pH very close to 7. In this experiment, pH electrodes will be used. The titration initiated
by inserting a pH electrode into a beaker containing the acid solution. As NaOH is
incrementally added to the acid solution, some of the hydrogen ions will be neutralized. when
5

the concentration of the hydrogen ion is decreases, the pH of the solution will increase. When
NaOH is added until the acid is neutralized, most of the H 3O+ ions are removed from the
solution. The next volume of NaOH that added in the solution will cause a sudden increase in
pH. The volume of based required to completely neutralized of acid is determined from the
equivalence point of titration curve.
In this experiment, vinegar will be titrated with standardized sodium hydroxide solution. The
sodium hydroxide solution is standardized by a primary standard acid solution that is initially
being prepared. Basically, primary standard acid solution is produces by dissolving a weigh
quantity of pure acid or base in a known volume of solution.
Primary standard acid or bases have a several common characteristics to be classified. Firstly,
they must be available in at least 99.9 purities. Second, they must have a high molecular
molar mass to minimize error in weighing. Third, they must be stable upon heating and must
be soluble in the solvent of interest.
Potassium hydrogen phthalate (KHP), KHC8H4O4, and oxalic acid, (COOH)2, are common
primary standard acid. Sodium carbonate (Na2CO3) is the commonly use base. Besides that,
HCI, CH3COOH, NaOH and KOH are also several others primary standard form. To
standardize one of these acidic or basic solution, they must be titrated with primary standard
form. In this experiment, NaOH solution will be titrated with KHP. The reaction can be form
in this equation:
KHC8H4O4 (aq) + NaOH (aq) KNaC8H4O4 (aq) + H2O(l)

Equation 1.5

Once the NaOH has been standardized it will be titrated with aliquots of vinegar. The reaction
equation of vinegar with NaOH is :
CH3COOH(aq) + NaOH (aq) ) Na CH3COO(aq) + H2O(l)

Equation 1.6

APPARATUS
Burette, pH meter, retort stand, conical flask, 250 mL beaker, weighing balance, magnetic
stirrer, 10 mL volumetric pipette, measuring cylinder.
Chemicals
Sodium hydroxide, NaOH solid; potassium hydrogen phthalate, KHP; distilled water,
vinegar.

Figure 1 Apparatus set up for titration process

PROCEDURE
A) Standardization of sodium hydroxide solution
1. A 250 ml of 0.6M NaOH is prepared in beaker from NaOH pellets.
2. Next, KHP is weighed for 1.5 grams in beaker which mass of the KHP is nearest to 0.001g.
Then, 30ml of distilled water is added into the beaker. The solution is stirred until it
completely dissolved.
3. The solution of KHP is the titrated with NaOH. The pH changes for every 1ml additions of
NaOH is added.
4. Steps 1 until 3 is repeated and two more solution of KHP are prepared for NaOH
standardization..
5. The graph of pH versus NaOH is plotted. From the graph, the volume of NaOH needed to
neutralized the KHP solution for each titration.
6. The molarity of NaOH for each titration also has been calculated.
7. The average molarity of NaOH solution is calculated too.
B. Molarity of acetic acid and mass percent in vinegar
1. 10ml of vinegar is transferred to a clean , dry 250ml beaker by using a 10ml volumetric
pipette. A sufficient water about 75ml to 100ml is added to cover the pH electrode tip during
the titration.
2. 1ml of NaOH is added to vinegar solution and the pH is recorded.
3. The steps are repeated twice more.
4. The graph of pH versus NaOH is plotted. From the graph, the volume of NaOH needed to
neutralized the vinegar solution for each titration.
5. The molarity of acetic acid in vinegar for each titration also has been calculated.
6. The average molarity of acetic acid solution is calculated too.
7. Next, the calculation of percent by mass of acetic acid in vinegar is also be performed for
the three titrations respectively.
8

RESULTS
1) Table of KHP titrated to NaOH

Mass of KHP
(g)
Volume of
NaOH(mL)
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13

Titratio
n1

Titratio
n2

1.499

1.5011

Titratio
n3

Avera
ge

1.499

pH
3.62
3.91
4.08
4.26
4.33
4.52
4.65
4.77
4.9
5.09
5.24
5.63
6.14
11.32

3.76
3.9
4.09
4.28
4.37
4.5
4.63
4.77
4.99
5.05
5.25
5.49
5.97
11.29

3.64
3.9
4.08
4.28
4.3
4.52
4.66
4.78
4.99
5.11
5.29
5.59
6.27
11.55

3.67
3.90
4.08
4.27
4.33
4.51
4.65
4.77
4.96
5.08
5.26
5.57
6.13
11.39

2) Graph of KHP titrated with NaOH

Titration 1: pH KHP Vs Volume NaOH

12
10
8
6

PH

4
2
0
0

10 11 12 13

Volume of NaOH(ml)

12.5 mL NaOH at
equivalence point

Titration 2: pH KHP Vs Volume NaOH

12
10
8
6
pH
4
2
0
0

10 11 12 13

Volume of NaOH (ml)

10

12.5 mL NaOH at equivalence

point

Titration 3: pH KHP Vs Volume NaOH

14
12
10
8
pH

6
4
2
0
0

10 11 12 13

Volume NaOH (ml)

12.5mL NaOH at equivalence

3) Calculations
Standardization of sodium hydroxide solution
11

1. Calculations for preparing 250mL of approximately 0.6M NaOH solution

1M of 1L NaOH
0.6 M of 1L NaOH

0.6M of 250ml NaOH

40 g/mol NaOH
0.6 M
40 g NaOH =24 g NaOH
1M
0.25 L
24 g NaOH =6 g NaOH
1L

3. Moles and molarity NaOH

i) Titration 1
Moles of KHP used

1.499 g KH C 8 H 4 O4

1 mol KH C 8 H 4 O4
=0.007340 g KH C8 H 4 O 4
204.2 g KH C 8 H 4 O 4

Moles of NaOH required to neutralized the moles of KHP

=

0.007340 mol KHP

1mol NaOH
=0.007340 mol NaOH
1 mol KHP

Molarity of NaOH solution

=

M=

12.50 mL NaOH

1L
=0.01250 L NaOH
1000 mL

mol of NaOH 0.007340 mol NaOH 0.5872 mol NaOH

=
=
=0.5872 M
L of Solution
0.01250 L NaOH
L solution

ii) Titration 2
Moles of KHP used

1.5011 g KH C8 H 4 O4 x

1 mol KH C 8 H 4 O4
=0.007351 g KH C 8 H 4 O4
204.2 g KH C 8 H 4 O4

Moles of NaOH required to neutralized the moles of KHP

12

0.007351 g mol KHP x

1 mol NaOH
=0.007351 mol NaOH
1mol KHP

Molarity of NaOH
==

M=

12.50 mL NaOH

1L
=0.01250 L NaOH
1000 mL

mol of NaOH 0.007351 mol NaOH 0.5880 mol NaOH

=
=
=0.5880 M
L of Solution
0.01250 L NaOH
L solution

iii) Titration 3
Moles of KHP used

1.499 g KH C 8 H 4 O4

1 mol KH C 8 H 4 O4
=0.007340 g KH C8 H 4 O 4
204.2 g KH C 8 H 4 O 4

Moles of NaOH required to neutralized the moles of KHP

=

0.007340 g mol KHP

1 mol NaOH
=0.007340 mol NaOH
1 mol KHP

Molarity of NaOH
=

12.50 mL NaOH

1L
=0.01250 L NaOH
1000 mL

mol of NaOH 0.007340 mol NaOH 0.5872 mol NaOH

=
=
=0.5872 M
L of Solution
0.01250 L NaOH
L solution

Average molarity of NaOH

Titration 1+Titration 2+ Titration3
=
3

13

0.5872+ 0.5880+ 0.5872

3

= 0.5875 M
Error =

Theoritical dataObtained data

100
Theoritical data
0.60.5875
0.6

x 100%

= 2.08%

B) Molarity of acetic acid and mass percent in vinegar

1. Table of data
Titration
1
Volume of
NaOH(mL)

Titratio
n2

Titratio
n3

Avera
ge

ph
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18

2.50
3.06
3.20
3.35
3.59
3.76
3.87
3.99
4.09
4.18
4.27
4.36
4.45
4.55
4.65
4.76
4.83
4.90
5.04

2.55
3.05
3.19
3.34
3.56
3.75
3.80
3.98
4.11
4.20
4.29
4.39
4.47
4.56
4.60
4.70
4.87
4.95
5.08

2.40
3.01
3.25
3.29
3.50
3.69
3.88
3.99
4.10
4.17
4.25
4.38
4.45
4.57
4.64
4.73
4.85
4.93
5.02

2.48
3.04
3.21
3.33
3.55
3.73
3.85
3.99
4.10
4.18
4.27
4.38
4.46
4.56
4.63
4.73
4.85
4.93
5.05
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19
20
21
22
23
24
25

5.17
5.22
5.43
5.56
6.47
11.04
11.19

5.19
5.25
5.49
5.58
6.47
11.13
11.21

5.11
5.23
5.42
5.60
6.44
11.11
11.18

5.16
5.23
5.45
5.58
6.46
11.09
11.19

Titration 1: pH CH3COOH Vs. Volume of NaOH

12
10
8
pH CH3COOH

6
4
2
0

Volume of NaOH (ml)

2.

Graph

of

vinegar titrated with NaOH

23mL NaOH at equivalence

15

Titration 2: pH CH3COOH Vs. Volume of NaOH

12
10
8
pH CH3COOH

6
4
2
0

Volume of NaOH (ml)

23.5mL NaOH at equivalence

point

16

Titration 3: pH CH3COOH Vs. Volume of NaOH

12
10
8
pH CH3COOH

6
4
2
0

Volume of NaOH (ml)

23.5mL NaOh at equivalence

3. Calculations
i) Titration 1
Moles of NaOH reacted
23 mL of NaOH

0.023 L NaOH

1L
=0.023 L NaOH
1000 mL

0.5875 M
=0.0135 mol NaOH
1 L NaOH

Molarity of the CH3COOH solution

17

10 mL of C H 3 COOH

1L
=0.010 L C H 3 COOH
1000 mL

molC H 3 COOH 0.0135 molC H 3 COOH

=
=1.35 M C H 3 COOH
L of solution
0.01 L solution

Mass of acetic acid in the solution

10 mL of C H 3 COOH

0.010 LC H 3 COO H

1L
=0.010 L C H 3 COO
H
1000 mL

0.0135 mol C H 3 COOH 60.06 gC H 3 COOH

=0.00811 g C H 3 COOH
1 L solution
1 mol C H 3 COOH

Theoretical mass of acetic acid in vinegar

10 mL of C H 3 COOH

1 gC H 3 COO H
1 mL C H 3 COO H

= 10.00 g

C H 3 COO H

Percent by mass of acetic acid in the solution

g C H 3 COO H
percent mass C H 3 COO H = g C H 3 COO H solution 100
0.00811 g C H 3 COO H
C
H
COO
H
=
100
3
percent mass
10.00 g C H 3 COO H solution

0.0811 %

C H 3 COO H

18

ii) Titration 2
Moles of NaOH reacted
23.5 mL of NaOH

0.0235 L NaOH

1L
=0.0235 L NaOH
1000 mL

0.5875 M
=0.0138 mol NaOH
1 L NaOH

Molarity of the CH3COOH solution

10 mL of C H 3 COOH

1L
=0.010 L C H 3 COOH
1000 mL

molC H 3 COOH 0.0138 molC H 3 COOH

=
=1.38 M C H 3 COOH
L of solution
0.01 L solution

Mass of acetic acid in the solution

10 mL of C H 3 COOH

0.010 LC H 3 COO H

1L
=0.010 L C H 3 COO
H
1000 mL

0.0138 mol C H 3 COOH 60.06 g C H 3 COOH

=0.00828 gC H 3 COOH
1 L solution
1 mol C H 3 COOH

Theoretical mass of acetic acid in vinegar

10 mL of C H 3 COOH

1 gC H 3 COO H
1 mL C H 3 COO H

= 10.00 g

C H 3 COO H

Percent by mass of acetic acid in the solution

g C H 3 COO H
C
H
COO
H
=
100
3
percent mass
g C H 3 COO H solution

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0.00828 g C H 3 COO H
C
H
COO
H
=
100
3
percent mass
10.00 g C H 3 COO H solution

0.0828 %

C H 3 COO H

iii) Titration 3
Moles of NaOH reacted
23 mL of NaOH

0.0235 L NaOH

1L
=0.0235 L NaOH
1000 mL

0.5875 M
=0.0138 mol NaOH
1 L NaOH

Molarity of the CH3COOH solution

10 mL of C H 3 COOH

1L
=0.010 L C H 3 COOH
1000 mL

molC H 3 COOH 0.0138 molC H 3 COOH

=
=1.38 M C H 3 COOH
L of solution
0.01 L solution

Mass of acetic acid in the solution

10 mL of C H 3 COOH

1L
=0.010 L C H 3 COO
H
1000 mL

20

0.010 LC H 3 COO H

0.0138 mol C H 3 COOH 60.06 g C H 3 COOH

=0.00828 gC H 3 COOH
1 L solution
1 mol C H 3 COOH

Theoretical mass of acetic acid in vinegar

10 mL of C H 3 COOH

1 gC H 3 COO H
1 mL C H 3 COO H

= 10.00 g

C H 3 COO H

Percent by mass of acetic acid in the solution

g C H 3 COO H
C
H
COO
H
=
100
3
percent mass
g C H 3 COO H solution
0.00828 g C H 3 COO H
C
H
COO
H
=
100
3
percent mass
10.00 g C H 3 COO H solution

=
Average mass of

0.0828 %

C H 3 COO H

C H 3 COO H

Titration 1+Titration 2+ Titration3

3
0.081+ 0.0828+0.0828
3

= 0.0822 g

C H 3 COO H

DISCUSSION
According to Marie (2013), a chemical reaction is set up between a known volume of a
solution of unknown concentration and a known volume of a solution with a known
concentration in titration. Titration technique is applied in this experiment to achieve the
objective, which is to determine the concentration of acetic acid in vinegar. So, in this
experiment the titration occurs between NaOH solution, KHP and acetic acid in vinegar. In
21

titration, the titrant is titrating to the analyte using the burette. Thus, the NaOH solution acts
as titrant in this experiment while KHP and vinegar act as analyte. Through this experiment
the pH of the solution was detected by pH meter. Then, when the result was obtained, the
titration curve of acid-base was constructing. Then, the equivalent point is obtained through
the titration curve. According to Clark (2002), this equivalent point is then was used to
perform the calculation to obtain the molarity and percent by mass.
In this experiment, the exact concentration of 0.6 M sodium hydroxide prepared is
determined. The sodium hydroxide solution was prepared using the NaOH solid. From this
experiment, the equivalence point is used to achieve the objectives of this experiment. In
standardization of sodium hydroxide solution, the equivalent point for Titration 1 is 12.5 mL
while 12.5 mL for Titration 2 and same goes to Titration 3.. So from there, the molarity of
sodium hydroxide is determined which is, 0.5875M NaOH compared to the molarity given
which is 0.6 M NaOH and the percentage error is 2.08% CH 3COOH. Thus, we can conclude
there are some error occurs regarding this experiment due to the slightly difference in
percentage error.
Then, the molarity of acetic acid and percent by mass in vinegar was determined. In this
experiment, the equivalence point used to perform the calculation for Titration 1 is 23 mL
while 23.5 mL for Titration 2 and Titration 3. Thus, the average molarity of acetic acid among
them was obtained which is 1.37M CH3COOH. Next, the percent by mass in vinegar is
0.0811 % CH3COOH for Titration 1, 0.0828% for Titration 2 and 3 respectively.
Precaution must be taken in every experiment to get an accurate and better result. So, for
the experiment of determination of the concentration of acetic acid in vinegar, there are some
precautions taken to avoid an error and accident during experiment. Firstly, safety gloves and
goggles were wearing when handling the chemicals to avoid any reaction of chemical with
hands or eyes. Next, the reading of the measurement of volume of solution was read
perpendicular with our eyes to avoid any parallax error during taken the reading. It means the
eyes must get at the same level of meniscus. It was applied when the reading of burette and
measuring cylinder taken. In addition, the bubbles in the burette tip must be removed to keep
away from an error in result. It can be done by tapping the side of the burette while the
stopcock is open. However, the contamination and impurities must be avoided for a better
result. This is can be passing up with the proper treat when handling glassware like beaker,

22

flask and burette. All the glassware must be washed properly with distilled water to keep
away from contamination.

Moreover, in order to prepare the sodium hydroxide solution from sodium hydroxide solid
and distilled water, the mixture must be stir completely. In addition, the mixture of acid and
base in this experiment also must be stir completely. This precaution must be done to ensure
complete mixing between two solutions. Due to this, it also can affect the pH of the solution.
Besides that, the precaution in using the pH meter must be considered in this experiment
since pH meter is used to detect the pH of the solution. Firstly, the pH electrode must be
cleaned properly after use the pH meter. Next, always keep the pH electrode immersed in the
storage solution when not in used. This all must be done due to the accurate or better result
of experiment. If not, the reading is slightly affected by this error.

CONCLUSION
In conclusion, the molarity of a solution is determined, which are 0.3799 M NaOH and 1.081
M CH3COOH. Moreover, the percent by mass of acetic acid in vinegar by titration with the
standardized sodium hydroxide solution is 6.493 %.

23

RECOMMENDATION
Future recommendation is needed in every experiment for a future research regarding to this
experiment. Firstly, different molarity of NaOH solution can be used and different percent by
mass of acetic acid in vinegar can be obtained by titration with the standardized sodium
hydroxide solution. Next, the acid and base used in this experiment can be changed with
other types of acid and base as the titrant and analyte in titration process. Moreover, the
indicator can be used to obtain the pH of the solution replacing the pH meter. Indicator is a
special chemical that change colour if there is a change in the pH caused by adding an acid or
alkali. So, the result obtained will be compared between the uses of pH meter n indicator.
Besides that, other types of titration curve can be determined for future recommendation.
Different types of acid-base titration indicate different types of titration curve. For example,
strong acid-strong base, strong acid-weak base, weak acid-strong base, and weak acid-weak
base. Lastly, addition of number of titration can be done. Titration 3 and Titration 4 can be
added for a better result.
REFERENCE
1.
2.
3.
4.

Clark, J. (2002). pH (Titration) Curves. Retrieved from www.chemguide.co.uk

Marie, H. (2013). Titration Basics. Retrieved from chemistry.about.com
Standardization of sodium hydroxide solution. Retrieved from chemtech.org
Titration of the Weak Acid Potassium Hydrogen Phthalate (KHP). Retrieved from

chemlab.truman.edu
5. Chang, R. (2010). Acid-Base Titrations. Chemistry 10th Edition (pp 723-732)

24

APPENDIX

25

26