Experiment 4

“Determining the hardness of a water sample by using gravimetric analysis to quantitatively

determine the amount of CaCO3 precipitate formed in the water samples.”
Name: Hussain Yawari
Partner: Ahab
AP Chemistry – F Block
Date: 29th November 2017
Teacher: Nada ElGhossein
 ABSTRACT

The main objective of this experiment was determining the hardness of a water sample by using

gravimetric analysis to quantitatively determine the amount of CaCO3 in the water when a

solution of 0.5M of sodium carbonate is added to the (hard) water. Then the hardness of the

water was calculated using stoichiometry to find the amount of Ca2+ ions in the initial water

given. The lab conducted in order to find out the hardness of the water was initiated by taking 20

ml of 0.5M CaCO3 and mixing it with 20 ml of the hard water sample provided. The two

solutions were added in a beaker. A white precipitate forming was then observed. The solution

was left to mix thoroughly, in case any unreacted solutions were remaining. A gravity filtration

setup was then arranged. The previously obtained solution was then poured through the funnel

into a volumetric flask. Distilled water was poured after the solution was poured into the funnel

to wash any remains off the filter paper. The setup was left overnight to dry. The filter paper was

then removed, and the precipitate that filtered onto the filter paper was scraped off onto a watch

glass. The weight of the precipitate was recorded. The recorded weight was then, using

stoichiometry (calculation 1) used to calculate the unknown concentration of Ca2+ ions as mg of

CaCO3 per L. For sample #2 hardness was found to be – 131 mg/L and for #5 hardness was

found to be – 10 mg/L. But there is more to sodium carbonate than just helping to calculate the

hardness of water and make hard water soft. Two forms of sodium carbonate (soda ash) are used

-heavy and light. The light form is obtained first, and some is then converted into the heavy

form. Light sodium carbonate contains less than 0.5% sodium chloride. The uses for light

sodium carbonate are traditionally where the chemical is required in solution.

 Overall, about 50% of the

total production of sodium carbonate is used

to make glass, 18% to make other chemicals

and 10% in soaps and detergents. (Lazonby,

John)
 RESULTS

When sodium carbonate is reacted with hard water, calcium carbonate is produced as a

precipitate. This reaction can be used to calculate and find out the hardness of a water sample of

which the hardness is not known.

Ca2+(aq) + Na2CO3(aq) → CaCO3(s) + 2Na+(aq)

When the values of the amount of water and sodium carbonate and calcium carbonate produced

is known, then stoichiometrically, the amount of Ca2+ ions can be calculated.

In the lab, first 3 graduated cylinders were taken. In the first one 20 ml of 0.5M CaCO3 was

measured. In the 2nd beaker 20 ml of the hard water sample was taken (#2 & #5). The two

solutions were then simultaneously added into a 3rd beaker. The formation of a white solution

containing a precipitate was then observed. The solution was left to mix thoroughly, in case any

unreacted solutions were remaining. A gravity filtration setup was then arranged. The previously

obtained solution was then poured through the funnel into a volumetric flask. It was observed

that the amount of precipitate formed in sample #2 was more than that formed in sample #5.

Taking these observations into consideration, it could safely be assumed that the hardness of #2

is greater than #5. Distilled water was poured after the solution was poured into the funnel to

wash any remains off the filter paper. The setup was left overnight to dry. The next day, an

empty watch glass was weighed on a digital scale and then the weight of the watch glass was

trimmed. The filter paper was then removed, and the precipitate that filtered onto the filter paper

was scraped off onto a watch glass. The weight of the precipitate was recorded. The same steps

were repeated for the sample solution #5. The following table shows the mass of the precipitate

recorded by the digital scale in grams:

Table 1: Mass of precipitate formed.

Sample Number Mass of Precipitate (g)

#2 0.262

#5 0.020

These values were then used to calculate (calculation 1) and find the unknown quantity of Ca2+

ions as mg of CaCO3 per L in order to identify the hardness of the water. The calculated results

are shown in the table below.

Table 2: Mass of CaCO3 in mg/L

Sample Number Mass of CaCO3 (mg/L)

#2 131

#5 10

The results derived from table 2 can be used conclude saying that the hardness of #2 is – 131

mg/L and the hardness of #5 is – 10 mg/L.

 DISCUSSION

There is always a possibility of error in any and all experiments conducted by humans, even if

the error is considerably minute or minimal, experimental error is always present in any

experiment. The simplest error that could have occurred while conducting the experiment would

be the residual of precipitate in the 3rd beaker in which it was mixed. This could have resulted in

a smaller value of the initial mass of precipitate that was measured leading to an inaccurate final

answer. Another error could be that the possibility of NaCO3 being the limiting reagent, in which

case some of the Ca2+ ions may have not reacted. This is an error because, when completing a

gravimetric analysis, an important consideration is that the analyte Ca2+ is completely

precipitated. This can be accomplished only by ensuring that the analyte is the limiting reagent in

the precipitation reaction. In our case, if NaCO3 is the limiting reagent, it would lead to a lesser

value of the precipitate formed as some of the Ca2+ ions have not reacted, resulting in an

inaccurate final answer.

The results support the objective and the purpose of the experiment as the hardness of the

different samples were calculated i.e. #2 – 131 mg/L and #5 – 10 mg/L. The expected results that

were assumed through observations during the experiment were found to true, i.e. sample #2 is

harder than #5.

While using a precipitation softener, a double replacement reaction would take place.

Na2CO3(aq) + CaCl2(aq) → CaCO3(s) + 2NaCl(aq).

My recommendations to any new comer in Kuwait would be to live in Kuwait City and would

strongly suggest avoiding Hawally.

Also, there is more to sodium carbonate than meets the eye. Besides just helping to calculate the

hardness of water and reacting in ion exchange reactions in order to treat hard water and make it

soft, sodium carbonate has many more uses. Two forms of sodium carbonate (soda ash) are used

-heavy and light. The light form is obtained first, and some is then converted into the heavy

form. Light sodium carbonate contains less than 0.5% sodium chloride. The uses for light

sodium carbonate are traditionally where the chemical is required in solution. Overall, about
50% of the total production of sodium carbonate is used to make glass, 18% to make other

chemicals and 10% in soaps and detergents. (Lazonby, John)

CALCULATIONS
Calculation 1: The main calculation done in this experiment was the calculation of the harness of
the water:
(Actual yield of precipitate in grams) g * 1000 mg/g*1000 ml/l = (answer)
Then the answer obtained above is divided by the amount of solution taken initially (in ml) and
multiplies by 100ml. (answer)/ 20*100.
Example – 0.26*1000*1000 = 260000.
260000/20*100 = 130 mg/L
Other small calculations done in Post-Lab : n = M/Mr,
Percent by mass= (mass of component / total mass)×100%

POST-LAB ASSESSMENT
1.
a. Na2SO4 + Ba(NO3)2 ---> BaSO4 + 2 NaNO3
i. This is a double displacement reaction. Using a solubility table, we can
say that BaSO4 is the precipitate.
b. BaSO4 = 3.046 g and Mr of BaSO4 = 233.37 g/mole
 Work Cited
Lazonby, John. “Sodium Carbonate.” The Essential Chemical Industry Online,
www.essentialchemicalindustry.org/chemicals/sodium-carbonate.html.