Hart 1

Half-Titration of a
Weak Acid
Emily Hart
Kailash Raman
Analise Nicholson
Mr. Lannen
February 9, 2015

Hart 2
Abstract:
The main reason for this experiment was to be prove that using the method of halftitration one could determine the Ka and the pKa of a weak acid, in this case acetic acid. Some
key results would be the calculated Ka of acetic acid is 1.2 x10^-5 and the calculated pKa is 4.92,
which both are very close to the accepted values. A few major points of discussion and main
conclusions would be that the experiment was successful, the hypothesis was accepted and
knowing the pH of certain things is actually very helpful in the real world.
Introduction:
The purpose of the experiment was to determine the Ka of acetic acid by finding the pH
of the half-titrate solution. The hypothesis was that if the concentrations of the sodium hydroxide
and the acetic acid is known, as well as the pH, one can find the pKa and in turn the Ka. Make
sure to take caution when using the sodium hydroxide, as it is caustic and avoid spilling it on
clothes or skin, as well as acetic acid, acetic acid causes burns when it comes into contact with
the skin. Also wear goggles at all times during labs and to dispose of all chemicals as told by the
instructor.
Materials:

LabQuest
LabQuest App
Vernier pH Sensor
50 mL buret
Buret clamp
One ring stand
1.0 M sodium hydroxide, NaOH, solution
1.0 M acetic acid, HC2H3O2, solution
Phenolphthalein indicator solution
Distilled water
Plastic Beral pipets
Utility clamp

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Procedure:
1. Find and put on goggles.
2. Using a buret clamp connect a 50 mL buret onto a ring stand. First rinse then fill the buret
with the 1.00 M acetic acid solution. HANDLE ACETIC ACID WITH CARE.
3. Using the buret transfer precisely 25.o mL of the acetic acid into the 250 mL beaker.
4. Using a plastic micro-pipet to take a small amount of the acetic acid from the 250 mL
beaker. Draw enough to fill the plastic bulb about if the way full, set it aside because it
will be used later.
5. Add about 2 drops of the phenolphthalein into the beaker of acetic acid.
6. Connect the pH Sensor to the LabQuest, a new file should be open, if not select New
from the File menu.
7. Get approximately 50 mL of 1.00 M NaOH solution. HANDLE SODIUM
HYDROXIDE WITH CARE.
8. Begin the half-titration.
a. Using the ring stand clamp to hold the pH Sensor in place, position it so that the tip of
the probe is submerged in the beaker completely.
b. Stir the acidic solution carefully and gently.
c. Do not use the data collection; monitor the pH of the reaction using the LabQuest.
d. Obtain a new pipet to slowly add the 1.00 M NaOH solution, approximately 5 drops
at a time, to the beaker with acetic acid solution.
9. Do the titration carefully. When the reaction approached the equivalence point, around
pH 6, continue to add the NaOh solution drop by drop. When the equivalence point is
reached, the pH will increase very fast and the indicator will change to a light pink color.
If needed, add another drop of the base so that the reaction is just past the equivalence
point. The pH will not increase rapidly beyond the equivalence point, which is around pH
10.
10. Using the pipet from Step 4, add all the acetic acid from it, into the beaker of the reaction
mixture. The mixture should be slightly acidic once again; the pH readings and the
indicator color should show this.

Hart 4
11. Add NaOH again drop by drop, to the beaker of the reaction mixture, until the
equivalence point is reached as precisely as possible. A very light pink color from the
indicator is visible. This is the half-titrated solution, because it was neutralized precisely
of 25.0 mL of the original 50.0 mL of acetic acid that was measured out into the buret.
12. Put the remaining 25.0 mL of acetic acid from the buret to the 250 mL beaker of reaction
mixture. Stir the mixture. Read and record the pH.
13. When the testing is completed, dispose of the reaction mixture. Rinse the pH Sensor with
distilled water.
Data:
Titration Results
Equivalence point pH
pH of half-titrated solution

Trial 1
8.38
4.92

Analysis:
1. Calculate the pKa and Ka using the results of your testing.
pH= pKa + log([C2H3O2-]/[H C2H3O2])
4.92= pKa + log(1)
4.92= pKa= -log(Ka)
10^-4.92=10^log(Ka)
Ka= 10^-4.92
Ka= 1.2 x10^-5
Discussion:
The experiment works, determining the pKa and the Ka was a success and they match up
almost exact compared to the accepted value. The data was collected and all the analysis
problems could be solved with no problems.
The purpose was to be able to find the pKa and the Ka using the method of half-titration,
which is what was done during the experiment and used to solve for those as stated before. So in
turn the purpose was fulfilled.

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The calculations show that acetic acid is a weak acid because of how small the Ka is.
They also show that the experiment and purpose was ultimately fulfilled. The main theory behind
this lab was that instead of finding the equivalence point using titration, also using the method of
half-titration could also be successful in doing so. Then, in turn, the pKa could be found and then
after that using previous knowledge of different equations such as, pH= -log[H+] and pOH=
-log[OH-], the Ka could also be determined.
In the real world many people need to monitor the pH balances of many things, like
pools, drinking water and even their blood. So it is important to realize even the slightest
fluctuation of that equilibrium in their body and their environment will have detrimental affects.
For example, acid rain can kill of populations of fish causing dead lakes as well as if
someones blood becomes too acidic or basic they can die.
Conclusion:
In conclusion the calculated pKa and the Ka are very close to the accepted values, which
means the hypothesis was accepted. Which means that the experiment was successful and the lab
went smoothly.
Questions:
1. Find the accepted values for the pKa and Ka of acetic acid. How well do the
accepted values compare with your calculated values? Explain.
The accepted values for the pKa and Ka of acetic acid are 4.75 and 1.76 x10^-5, in that
order. These values compared with the calculated values are very good, only a few
tenths of a way off.
2. Explain why the pH at the half-titration point is equal to the pKa in your
experiment.

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The half-titration point is equal to the pKa in the experiment because both
concentrations of the solutions were 1.00 and log(1) is equal to zero, so then in this
case the formula: pH= pKa + log([C2H3O2-]/[H C2H3O2]), would be able to be taken
down to: pH= pKa.
3. Explain how this test could be done using only an indicator solution and no
electronic means of measuring pH.
Using only an indicator solution would still work because, like phenolphthalein, most
indicator solutions only change colors when the solution reaches at a certain pH, and
in the case of phenolphthalein, it changes to a light pink at around 8 and 10 on the pH
scale (Ophardt). So the electronic means of measuring the pH is basically not needed,
but is helpful to know when equilibrium is approaching and to help the experimenter
know when to start slowly down on adding the base.
Works Cited
Ophardt, Charles E. "Acid-Base Indicators." Acid-Base Indicators. Elmhurst College, n.d. Web.
11 Feb. 2015.