Biology Practical Exam 2 CO2

pH change
2.3.1 perform a first-hand investigation to demonstrate the effect of
dissolved carbon dioxide on the pH of water
Aim: To determine the effects of CO2 on the pH of limewater
Hypothesis: The presence of CO2 will lower the pH of limewater, making
it more acidic
Risk Assessment: The use of HCl can irritate the skin and possibly cause
burns if concentrated enough. Also, glass may be broken during
experiment and lead to cuts, thus extra care must be taken when handling
or around glassware. For the HCl, gloves to prevent contact with skin, if it
comes in contact with skin, rinse area immediately under running water.
Materials:
- 1 small test tube
- 1 large test tube
- Bent glass tubing, rubber stopper / cork, and rubber tubing
- Limewater 10mL
- Hydrochloric acid (HCl) 5mL
- Calcium carbonate chips x 5 (cannot remember what exactly they
were)
- Test tube rack
- 3 drops of Universal Indicator and Universal Indicator chart
- Measuring cylinder 10mL
Method:
1. Place both test tubes in the test tube rack and place the calcium
carbonate chips in the large test tube
2. Using the measuring cylinder, measure out 10mL of limewater into
the small test tube
3. Place 3 drops of Universal Indicator into the small test tube, this is
the control.
4. Using the Universal indicator chart, identify the pH of the limewater
in the small test tube and record in the results table below.
5. Using the measuring cylinder, measure out 5ml of Hydrochloric acid
into the large test tube with the marble chips. Immediately, filter the
rubber hose into the small test tube so that it is submerged in the
limewater and place the stopper over the large test tube.
6. The large test tube should be covered by a stopper that connects to
the bent glass tubing which connects to the rubber tubing that is
submerged in the limewater in the small test tube.
7. Leave the apparatus in a secure position in the test tube rack for 20
minutes.

8. After the 20 minutes, using the universal indicator chart, record the
new pH of the limewater in the results table below.
9. Repeat the experiment to increase reliability of results.
Results:

Original pH of the Limewater

Final pH of the Limewater

11

9.5

Discussion: (Reliability, Validity, Accuracy)

This experiment was conducted to test the effects of carbon dioxide on
the pH of a substance. The experiment was highly accurate, including the
use of a measuring cylinder and exact amounts of calcium carbonate
chips. Accuracy could be furthered by using a scale to weigh the calcium
carbonate chips. The experiment was lacking in reliability as results could
not be compared and it was only completed once, compare results and
complete multiple times to increase reliability. The results were valid as
the variables were kept constant and the aim was satisfied.
Conclusion:
The experiment was conducted to observe and identify the effects of
Carbon Dioxide on the pH of a substance. The limewater turned cloudy
which indicated the presence of Carbon dioxide and as hypothesised, the
pH decreased, indicating an increase in acidity of the limewater.
Therefore, it can be concluded that Carbon dioxide increases the acidity of
the medium it is in as indicated by the results.