1.

Abstract
Acetic acid, CH3COOH is an organic compound that is in form of colorless solution and
classified as a weak acid. Acetic acid is the main component of vinegar apart from water. In
this experiment, the molarity of a solution and the percent by mass of acetic acid in vinegar
is determined by using titration with a standardized sodium hydroxide, NaOH solution. The
experiment is divided into two parts which are standardizing the NaOH solution is the first
part and the second part is proceeded with the determining the molarity of a solution and the
percent by mass of acetic acid in vinegar. In standardizing the NaOH solution, 250 mL of
distilled water is used to dilute approximately 6 g of NaOH solid in order to prepare 0.6 M
NaOH solution. This NaOH solution is then titrated with potassium hydrogen phthalate,
KHC8H4O4 or KHP solution which has been prepared by diluting 1.5 g of KHP granules in 30
mL of distilled water. The experiment is then preceded to the second part of the experiment
which standardized NaOH solution is titrated the with 10 mL vinegar that has been diluted
with 100 mL of distilled water. Both titration for part 1 and 2 are repeated thrice to get more
accurate results. Based on results, it can be conclude that the greater the mass of solute in
the acid solution, the more concentrated the solution becomes thus, the higher the molarity
and more volume of NaOH needed to neutralize the acid. The experiment is completed and
successfully conducted.

2. Introduction
Concentration of solution is the amount of solute in a given amount of solvent. A
concentrated solution contains a relatively large quantity of solute in a given amount of
solvent. Dilute solutions contains a relatively little solute in a given amount of solvent. There
are two specific terms to express concentration, namely molarity and percent by mass:
Molarity is the number of moles of solute per litre of solution.
Molarity (M) = moles of solute
(Equation 2 1)

Litre of solution
Percent by mass is the mass in grams of solute per 100 grams of solution
Percent solute = grams of solute
Grams of solution

X 100%
(Equation 2 1)

Vinegar is a dilute solution of acetic acid. The molecular formula for acetic acid is
CH3COOH. Both molarity and percent by mass of acetic acid in the vinegar solution can be
determined by performing a titration. A titration is a process in which small increments of a

solution of known concentration are added to a specific volume of a solution of unknown

concentration until the stoichiometry for that reaction is attained. Knowing the quantity of the
known solution required to complete the titration enables calculation of the unknown solution
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.

3. Aim
Aim of this experiment is to determine the molarity of a solution and the percent by mass of
acetic acid in vinegar by titration with a standardized sodium hydroxide solution.

4. Theory
In the 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 0.1 mL
as shown in Figure 4.1, therefore the volume dispensed from the burette should be
estimated to the nearest 0.05 mL.

Figure 4.1: Depicts a typical 50 mL burette with indication of smallest calibration unit (0.1
mL)
2

In this experiment, the equivalent 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 weak acid,
acetic acid (CH3CO2H), as indicated in equation 4 1:
NaOH (aq) + CH3CO2H (aq) NaCH3CO2 (aq) + H2O (l)

(Equation 4 1)

The sudden change in the solution pH shows that the titration has reached the equivalence
point. pH in an aqueous solution is related to its hydrogen in 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 = log10 [H3O+]

(Equation 4 2)

pH scale is a method of expressing the acidity or basicity of a solution. Solutions with pH < 7
are acidic, pH = 7 are neutral, and pH > 7 are basic as shown in Figure 4.2. For example,, a
solution having an H3O+ concentration of 2.35 x 102 M would have a pH of 1.629 and is
acidic. pH electrodes will be used in this experiment.

Figure 4.2: pH scale

The titration is initiated by inserting a pH electrode into a beaker containing the acid solution
(pH 3 5). As sodium hydroxide, NaOH, is incrementally added to the acid solutions, some
of the hydrogen ions will be neutralized. As the hydrogen ion concentrated decreases, the
pH of the solution will gradually increase. When sufficient NaOH is added to completely
neutralize the acid (most of H3O+ ions are removed from the solution), the next drop of
NaOH added will cause a sudden sharp increase in pH as shown in Figure 4.3. The volume
of based required to completely neutralized the acid is determined at the equivalent point of
titration.

Figure 4.3: Acid base titration curve of weak acid titrated with NaOH

In this experiment, titration of a vinegar sample with standardized sodium hydroxide solution
will be performed. To standardize the sodium hydroxide solution, a primary standard acid
solution is initially prepared. In general, primary standard solutions are produce by dissolving
a weighed quantity of pure acid or base in a known volume of solution. Primary standard
acid or bases have several common characteristics:

They must be available in at least 99.9 purity

They must have a high molar mass to minimize error in weighing

They must be stable upon heating

They must be soluble in the solvent of interest

Potassium hydrogen phthalate, KHC8H4O4, and oxalic acid, (COOH)2, are common primary
standard acids. Sodium carbonate, Na2CO3, is the most commonly used base. Most acids
and bases (e.g. HCL, CH3COOH, NaOH, and KOH) are mostly available in primary standard
form. To standardize one of these acidic or basic solutions, titration of the solution with a
primary standard should be performed. In this experiment, NaOH solution will be titrated with
potassium hydrogen phathalate (KHP). The reaction equation for this is:
KHC8H4O4 (aq) + NaOH (aq) KNaC8H4O4 (aq) + H2O (l)

(Equation 4 3)

Once the sodium solution has been standardized it will be titrated with 10.00 mL aliquots of
vinegar. The reaction equation for vinegar with NaOH is:
CH3COOH (aq) + NaOH (aq) NaCHCOO (aq) + H2O (l)

(Equation 4 4)

Knowing the standardized NaOH concentration and using Equation 4 4, the molarity and
percent by mass of acetic acid in the vinegar solution can be determined.

5. Apparatus
Apparatus used in this experiment including descriptions are listed in Table 5.1. Meanwhile,
materials used in this experiment are listed in Table 5.2.

Table 5.1: List of apparatus used in the experiment including its description
No.

Apparatus

Descriptions

Hot plate

To assist the stirring of solution in the experiment.

Magnetic stirrer

To stir the solution.

Retort stand

To hold the burette.

Beaker

There are two types of beaker used in this experiment:

I.

250mL beaker

II.

10mL beaker

All solutions used in this experiment were placed in these

beakers.
5

pH meter

To measure changes of pH value of the solution.

Burette

To place the NaOH solution for titration.

Weighing balance

To weight sufficient amount of materials used in the

experiment.

Measuring cylinder

To measure and transfer the right amount of solutions

needed from its actual container into the beaker.

Table 5.2: List of materials used the experiment.

No.

Materials

Sodium hydroxide, NaOH solid.

Potassium hydrogen phthalate, KHC8H4O4 (KHP) granules.

Vinegar.

Distilled water.

6. Procedure
6.1

Standardization of sodium hydroxide, NaOH solution

1. Weight of NaOH solid needed to prepare the 0.6 M NaOH solution is calculated and
confirmed by the lecturer.
2. 250 mL of approximately 0.6 M NaOH solution is prepared from the NaOH solid.
3. A beaker is placed on the weighing balance and the beakers weight is tarred and
recorded.
4. Then, 1.5 g of KHP granules is added into the beaker and its weight is recorded to
the nearest 0.001 g.
5. Next, 30 mL of distilled water is added into the beaker and the solution is stirred until
the KHP granules completely dissolved in the solution.
6. The pH value of the KHP solution without the addition of NaOH solution is recorded
until pH meter reading stabilized.
7. This solution is then titrated with 2 mL of NaOH solution.
8. Then, the pH value of the solution is recorded after the reading on pH meter is
stabilized.
9. Step 7 and 8 are repeated until the pH values of the solution achieve its stable state.
10. After that, the titration process is repeated twice for NaOH standardization.
11. The graph of pH versus NaOH for all titration processes are plotted and the volume
of NaOH needed to neutralize the KHP solution is determined from all three graphs.
12. Next, the molarity of NaOH solution for titration 1, 2, and 3 are calculated.
13. Lastly, the average molarity of the NaOH solution is calculated.
6.2

Molarity of acetic acid and mass percent in vinegar

1. 10 mL of vinegar is transferred into a clean and dry beaker.

2. 100 mL of distilled water is then added into the beaker.
3. Next, pH value of the vinegar solution is recorded after the pH meter reading
stabilized.
4. Then, 2 mL of NaOH solution is added into the vinegar solution and its pH value is
recorded after the pH meter reading stabilized.
5. Step 4 is repeated until the pH values of the solution achieve its stable state.
6. After that, step 1 until 5 are repeated twice more for standardization.

7. The graph of pH versus NaOH for all titration processes are plotted and the volume
of NaOH needed to neutralize the vinegar solution is determined from all three
graphs.
8. Next, the molarity and the average molarity of acetic acid solution for titration 1, 2,
and 3 are calculated.
9. Lastly, the percent by mass and the average percent by mass of acetic acid solution
in vinegar for titration 1, 2, and 3 are calculated.

7. Results
7.1

Standardization of sodium hydroxide, NaOH solution

7.1.1

Results for titration 1

Titration 1

Volume

10

12

14

4.668

4.931

5.192

5.522

6.220

16

18

of NaOH
(mL)
pH

3.976 4.363

12.147 12.528 12.689

value

Graph of pH versus volume of NaOH for titration 1

14
12

pH = 9.5

10

pH

Equivalence Point
(13.11 mL)

6
4
2
0
0

10

15

20

Volume of NaOH (mL)

Based on the graph, molarity of NaOH solution for titration 1 = 0.5715 M

7.1.2

Results for titration 2

Titration 2

Volume

10

12

14

4.659

4.918

5.174

5.513

6.220

16

18

of NaOH
(mL)
pH

3.972 4.343

12.196 12.538 12.685

value

Graph of pH versus volume of NaOH for titration 2

14
12
10

pH = 9.4

pH

Equivalence Point
(13.06 mL)

6
4
2
0
0

10

15

20

Volume of NaOH (mL)

Based on the graph, molarity of NaOH solution for titration 2 = 0.5625 M
7.1.3

Results for titration 3

Titration 3

Volume

10

12

4.683

4.933

5.176

5.512

6.184

14

16

18

of NaOH
(mL)
pH

3.960 4.340

12.201 12.535 12.679

value

Graph of pH versus volume of NaOH for titration 3

14
12
10

pH = 9.3

pH

Equivalence Point
(13.04 mL)

6
4
2
0
0

10

15

20

Volume of NaOH (mL)

Based on the graph, molarity of NaOH solution for titration 3 = 0.5643 M

7.1.4

Results for average value of titration

Average

Volume

10

12

4.670

4.927

5.181

5.516

6.208

14

16

18

of NaOH
(mL)
pH

3.969 4.349

12.181 12.534 12.684

value

Graph of pH versus volume of NaOH for average value of titration

14
12
10

pH = 9.4

pH

Equivalence Point
(13.07 mL)

6
4
2
0
0

10

15

20

Volume of NaOH (mL)

Based on the graph, molarity of NaOH solution for average value of titration = 0.5661 M

7.1.5

Overall results
Titration 1

Titration 2

Titration 3

Mass of KHP (g)

1.5298

1.5000

1.5027

Volume of NaOH to

13.11

13.06

13.04

neutralize the KHP

solution (mL)

7.2

Molarity of acetic acid and mass percent in vinegar

7.2.1

Results for titration 1

Titration 1

Vol.

10

12

14

16

18

20

22

of
NaOH
(mL)
pH

2.545 3.417 3.808 4.351 4.453 4.593 4.860 5.252 7.136 11.619 11.911 12.050

10

Graph of pH versus volume of NaOH for titration 1

14
12
10

pH = 8.8

pH

Equivalence Point
(16.74 mL)

6
4
2
0
0

10

15

20

25

Volume of NaOH (mL)

Based on the graph;
Molarity of acetic acid, CH3COOH in vinegar solution for titration 1 = 0.9477 M
Percent of acetic acid, CH3COOH in vinegar solution for titration 1 = 5.962 %
7.2.2

Results for titration 2

Titration 2

Vol.

10

12

14

16

18

20

22

of
NaOH
(mL)
pH

2.751 3.508 3.899 4.178 4.423 4.669 4.937 5.333 6.849 11.699 11.966 12.039

11

Graph of pH versus volume of NaOH for titration 2

14
12
10

pH = 8.8
pH

8
6

Equivalence Point
(16.80 mL)

4
2
0
0

10

15

20

25

Volume of NaOH (mL)

Based on the graph;
Molarity of acetic acid, CH3COOH in vinegar solution for titration 2 = 0.9510 M
Percent of acetic acid, CH3COOH in vinegar solution for titration 2 = 5.712 %
7.2.3

Results for titration 3

Titration 3

Vol.

10

12

14

16

18

20

22

of
NaOH
(mL)
pH

2.850 3.608 3.984 4.263 4.491 4.729 5.030 5.414 7.260 11.748 12.008 12.078

12

Graph of pH versus volume of NaOH for titration 3

14
12
10

pH = 8.9

pH

Equivalence Point
(16.73 mL)

6
4
2
0
0

10

15

20

25

Volume of NaOH (mL)

Based on the graph;
Molarity of acetic acid, CH3COOH in vinegar solution for titration 3 = 0.9471 M
Percent of acetic acid, CH3COOH in vinegar solution for titration 3 = 5.688 %
7.2.4

Results for average value of titration

Average

Vol.

10

12

14

16

18

20

22

of
NaOH
(mL)
pH

2.715 3.511 3.897 4.264 4.456 4.664 4.942 5.333 7.082 11.689 11.962 12.056

13

Graph of pH versus volume of NaOH for average value of titration

14
12
10

pH = 8.8

pH

Equivalence Point
(16.76 mL)

6
4
2
0
0

10

15

20

25

Volume of NaOH (mL)

Based on the graph;
Molarity of acetic acid, CH3COOH in vinegar solution for average value of
titration = 0.9486 M
Percent of acetic acid, CH3COOH in vinegar solution for average value of
titration = 5.7873 %

7.2.5

Overall results

Volume of NaOH to

Titration 1

Titration 2

Titration 3

16.74

16.80

16.73

neutralize the KHP

solution (mL)

8. Calculations
8.1

Standardization of sodium hydroxide, NaOH solution

8.1.1

Calculation for preparing 150 mL of approximately 0.6 M NaOH solution

Molarity (M)

= moles of solute
Litre of solution

0.6

= moles of solute
(250 X 103) L
14

Moles of solute

= (0.6) (0.25)
= 0.15 mol

No. of moles

mass
Molecular weight of NaOH

Mass

= (no. of moles) (MW

NaOH)

= (0.15) (22.99 + 16.00 + 1.01g)

=6g

8.1.2

Sample calculation for the molarity of NaOH using data from titration 1

8.1.2.1 Volume of NaOH needed to neutralize the KHP

Perform interpolation:
9.500 6.220

= Vol 12

12.147 6.220

14 12

3.280

= Vol 12

5.927

6.560

= 5.927 Vol 71.724

Vol

= 13.11 mL of NaOH

8.1.2.2 Molarity of NaOH

Moles of KHP:
1.5298 g KHC8H4O4 X

1 mol KHC8H4O4

= 0.007492 mol HC8H4O4

204.2 g KHC8H4O4
Moles of NaOH required neutralizing moles of KHP:
0.007492 mol KHC8H4O4

1 mol NaOH

= 0.007492 mol NaOH

1 mol KHC8H4O4
Molarity of NaOH solution:
13.11 mL NaOH

1L

= 0.01311 L NaOH

1000 mL

15

M = mol of NaOH = 0.007492 mol NaOH = 0.5715 M NaOH

L of solution

0.01311 L NaOH

8.1.2.3 Average molarity of NaOH

Mave = (M1 + M2 + M3) / 3

= (0.5715 + 0.5625 + 0.5643) / 3
= 0.5661 M NaOH
8.2

Molarity of acetic acid and mass percent in vinegar

8.2.1

Sample calculation for average percent by mass of acetic acid if vinegar using data

from titration 1

8.2.1.1 Volume of NaOH needed to neutralize the vinegar

Perform interpolation:
8.800 7.136

= Vol 16

11.619 7.136

18 16

1.664

= Vol 16

4.483

3.328

= 4.483 Vol 71.728

Vol

= 16.74 mL of NaOH

8.2.1.2 Molarity of acetic acid in vinegar

Moles of NaOH that reacted:

16.74 mL of NaOH

1L

= 0.01674 L NaOH

1000 mL
0.01674 L NaOH

X 0.5661 mol NaOH = 0.009477 mol NaOH

1L NaOH solution

Moles of CH3COOH neutralized by moles of NaOH:

0.009477 mol NaOH X 1 mol CH3COOH = 0.009477 mol CH3COOH
Mol NaOH

16

Molarity of CH3COOH:
10 mL CH3COOH

1L

0.010 L CH3COOH

1000 mL
M = mol of CH3COOH = 0.009477 mol CH3COOH = 0.9477 M CH3COOH
L of solution

0.010 L CH3COOH

8.2.1.3 Average molarity of acetic acid in vinegar

Mave = (M1 + M2 + M3) / 3

= (0.9477 + 0.9510 + 0.9471) / 3
= 0.9486 M CH3COOH
8.2.1.4 Percent by mass of acetic acid in vinegar

Mass of acetic acid in the solution:

10 mL CH3COOH

1L

0.010 L CH3COOH

1000 mL
0.010 L CH3COOH

X 0.9477 mol CH3COOH

60.06 g CH3COOH

1 L solution

1 mol CH3COOH

= 0.5692 g CH3COOH
Mass of acetic acid solution:
10 mL CH3COOH

X 1 g CH3COOH solution

= 10 g CH3COOH solution

1 mL CH3COOH solution
Percent by mass of acetic acid in the solution =

g CH3COOH

X 100 %

g CH3COOH solution
=

0.5692

X 100%

10.0
= 5.692 %

8.2.1.4 Average percent by mass of acetic acid in vinegar:

%ave = (%1 + %2 + %3) / 3
= (5.962 + 5.712 + 5.688 %) / 3
= 5.7873 %

17

9. Discussion
The purpose of this experiment is achieved as the molarity of the solution and the percent by
mass of acetic acid in vinegar have been determined by using titration with a standardized
sodium hydroxide solution. In the first part of this experiment in which to standardize the
sodium hydroxide solution, a primary standard acid solution is initially prepared. Sodium
hydroxide, NaOH is used as the base meanwhile potassium hydrogen phthalate, KHC8H4O4
or jotted as KHP is used as primary standard acid. In addition, pH meter is used to measure
the pH of the solution. It is necessary to constantly measure and record the pH of the
solution by keep on immersing the pH meter in the solution to ensure more accurate results.

Based on graph and calculated result, it is showed that the average volume of NaOH
needed to neutralize the primary standard acid is 13.07 mL at average pH of 9.4. As mention
in the theory, solutions with pH less than 7 are acidic, pH equal to 7 are neutral, and pH
greater than 7 are basic. However, the result in this experiment does not exactly parallel with
the theory as the solution gains its equivalence point at average pH of 9.4. In other words,
the solution started to neutralize from pH of 6.208 up to 12.181. This is because of some of
the hydrogen ions are gradually neutralized with the increment volume of NaOH. Thus, a
sudden sharp increase in pH occurred as sufficient volume of NaOH is added into the acid
solution. Furthermore, the pH at the endpoint of a weak acidstrong base titration is always
greater than 7 because strong base allows hydrogen ions in weak acid to neutralize more
easily.

The sudden fluctuation in the pH also occurred at the second part of this experiment. In the
second part of the experiment, the molarity of acetic acid and the mass percent in vinegar
are determined. The molarity of acetic acid and the mass percent in vinegar are calculated
by using the average volume of NaOH resulted from the first part of the experiment and with
the help of graph plotted based on results from the second part of the experiment. The
average molarity of acetic acid in vinegar is 0.9486 and its average percent by mass is
5.7873 %. In addition, it is important to dilute the vinegar in order to avoid a very small titre,
which would reduce the accuracy of the experiment.

The significance of percent by mass and molarity of solution in this experiment is that it tells
whether the solution is either diluted or concentrated solution. Hence, the acetic acid in the
vinegar is a dilute solution as its percent by mass and molarity are relatively small.

18

10. Conclusion
The results of the first part of this experiment showed that when the mass of KHP is 1.5298
g, volume of NaOH required to neutralize the acid is 13.11 mL and the molarity of NaOH
solution for titration 1 is 0.5715 M. While for titration 2, when the mass of KHP is 1.500 g,
volume of NaOH required to neutralize the acid is 13.06 mL and the molarity of NaOH
solution for titration 2 is 0.5625 M. For titration 3, when the mass of KHP is 1.5027 g, volume
of NaOH required to neutralize the acid is 13.04 mL and the molarity of NaOH solution for
titration 3 is 0.5643 M.
Meanwhile, the results of the second part of the experiment showed that molarity of acetic
acid in vinegar solution for titration 1 = 0.9477 M, percent of acetic acid in vinegar solution
for titration 1 = 5.962 % and the volume of NaOH required to neutralize the solution is 16.74
mL. For titration 2, molarity of acetic acid in vinegar solution is 0.9510 M, percent of acetic
acid in vinegar is 5.712 % and the volume of NaOH required to neutralize the solution is
16.80 mL. Lastly, molarity of acetic acid in vinegar solution for titration 3 = 0.9471 M, percent
of acetic acid in vinegar solution for titration 3 = 5.688 % and the volume of NaOH required
to neutralize the solution is 16.73 mL.

Thus, it can be concluded that, the greater the mass of solute in the acid solution, the more
concentrated the solution becomes. Hence, the higher the molarity and more volume of
NaOH needed to neutralize the acid.

11. Recommendation
1. It is better to use an indicator such as phenolphthalein as it colour will change at a pH
of ~9.0 rather than using a pH meter as using a pH meter is fairly tedious and it will
turns out unnecessary.
2. The swirling of the solution should be constant while adding the NaOH in order to
ensure that the NaOH is totally dispersed.
3. Ensure that the position of eye is directly perpendicular to the meniscus when
reading the volume of solution to avoid inaccuracy.
4. It is better to carry out three accurate titration so that the experimental error is
reduces by calculating the average value.
5. Ensure that the tip of the burette is filled with NaOH so that no air bubbles are
present in the tip.

19

6. When the solution is being prepared, wear safety glasses and gloves as solid sodium
hydroxide is corrosive, and can cause severe burns to eyes and skin while sodium
hydroxide solution irritates the eyes.

12. References/Appendix
Sample figure of equipments used in this experiment.

Figure 12.1: Hot plate

Figure 12.2: pH meter

20