LAB 2

TITLE
Hydrolysis of salt and pH of buffer solutions.

ABSTRACT
This experiment has four objective to be achieved, that are to determine pH values of salts
solutions by using different indicators, to calculate the Ka or Kb for each cation or anion that
hydrolyzes, preparing an acetic acid-sodium acetate buffer and to investigate the effect of acid on
the buffer pH.
For Part A, unboiled distilled water is added into each of the six test tubes. Then, three drops of
different indicators that are methyl orange, methyl red, bromothymol blue, phenol red,
phenolphthalein and alizarin yellow-R is added into each test tubes. The colours changes are then
recorded. Approximate pH of these solutions is determined by using indicator chart provided in
the laboratory. After that, all the test tubes is emptied and rinsed by using boiled distilled water.
All these steps are then repeated by changing unboiled distilled water with boiled distilled water,
0.1 M NaCl, 0.1 M NH4Cl, 0.1 M NaC2H3O2, 0.1 M ZnCl2, 0.1 M KAI(SO4)2, and 0.1 M
Na2CO3.
Then, Part B is the preparation of acetic acid-sodium acetate buffer and to determine the effect of
acid and base on buffer pH. The pH of buffer solution prepared is 5.598 but after the addition of
acid, the pH decreases to 5.141 and after the addition of base, the pH increases to 6.698.

OBJECTIVES
1.
2.
3.
4.

To determine pH values of salts solutions by using different indicators.

To calculate the Ka or Kb for each cation or anion that hydrolyzes.
To prepare acetic acid-sodium acetate buffer.
To investigate the effect of acid and base on the buffer pH.

APPARATUS
500 mL Erlenmeyer flask, 150 mL beaker, 10 mL measuring cylinder, 100 mL measuring
cylinder, 6 sets of test tubes, test tubes rack, stirring rod, pH meter, analytical balance, pipette,
hot plate, plastic water bottle

CHEMICALS
NaC2H3O2.3H2O, 0.1 M ZaCl2, 0.1 M NH4Cl, 0.1 M KAl (SO4)2, 0.1 M Na2CO3, 0.1 M NaCl,
0.1 M NaC2H3O2, 3.0 M HCl, 3.0 M HC2H3O2, 3.0 M NaOH
Dropper bottles of : Methyl orange, Methyl red, Bromothymol blue, Phenolphthalein, Alizarin
yellow-R, Phenol red, Standard buffer solution (pH 4.5)

PROCEDURE
Initial step (prepare by lab technician)
Boil 1L distilled water and allow it to cool to room temperature before starting the experiment.

Part A : pH solution and hydrolysis of salts

1. 5mL of unboiled distilled water is added to each of six test tubes.
2. Three drops of different indicators is added into each six test tubes. The indicators to use
are: methyl orange, methyl red, bromothymol blue, phenol red, phenolphthalein, and
alizarin yellow-R.
3. The colours obtained are recorded.
4. The approximate pH of unboiled distilled water samples to the nearest pH is determined
by using provided indicator chart.
5. The test tubes is emptied and is rinsed three times with 3mL boiled distilled water.
6. Step 1 until step 5 is repeated by changing unboiled distilled water with boiled distilled
water, 0.1 M NaCl, 0.1 M NH4Cl, 0.1 M NaC2H3O2, 0.1 M ZnCl2, 0.1 M KAl(SO4)2, and
0.1 M Na2CO3.

Part B : pH of buffer solution

i.

Preparation of acetic acid-sodium acetate buffer

1. 3.50 g of NaC2H3O2.3H2O is weighed.
2. The mass is recorded and is put into a 150 mL beaker. The beaker is labelled as
beaker 1.
3. 8.8 mL of 3 M acetic acid is measured and is added to beaker 1.
4. 55.6 mL of distilled water is then measured and also added to beaker 1.
5. The solution is stirred until all the sodium acetate is dissolved.
6. The pH of the solutions is measured using calibrated pH meter.
7. The solutions are saved for Part (ii).

ii.

Effect of acid and base on buffer pH

1. 32 mL of prepared buffer solution is poured into two 150 mL beakers. The
beakers are then labelled as beaker 2 and beaker 3.
2. 1 mL of 3.0 M HCl is pipette into beaker 2 and the pH of the resultant solution is
measured.
3. 1 mL of 3.0 M NaOH is pipette into beaker 3 and the pH of the resultant solution
is then measured.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS

Part A : pH solution and hydrolysis of salts
Solution: unboiled distilled water
INDICATOR
pH
COLOUR
CHANGES

Methyl
Orange
4.0
Orange

Methyl
Red
5.4
Pale
Pink

Bromothymol
Blue
2.0
Pale
Yellow

Phenol
Red
7.0
Yellowish
Orange

Phenolphthalein
8.0
Colourless

Alizarin
Yellow-R
10.0
Yellow

Solution: boiled distilled water

INDICATOR
pH
COLOUR
CHANGES

Methyl
Orange
4.0
Orange

Methyl
Red
5.4
Light
Pink

Bromothymol
Blue
3.0
Very Light
Yellow

Phenol
Red
7.7
Yellow

Phenolphthalein

Methyl
Red
5.4
Pale
Pink

Bromothymol
Blue
1.0
Very Light
Yellow

Phenol
Red
7.0
Light
Orange

Phenolphthalein

7.0
Colourless

Alizarin
Yellow-R
10.0
Yellow

Solution: 0.1 M NaCl

INDICATOR
pH
COLOUR
CHANGES

Methyl
Orange
4.0
Orange

7.0
Colourless

Alizarin
Yellow-R
9.0
Light
Yellow

Solution: 0.1 M NH4Cl

INDICATOR
pH
COLOUR
CHANGES

Methyl
Orange
4.0
Orange

Methyl
Red
5.8
Pink

Bromothymol
Blue
2.0
Very Light
Yellow

Phenol
Red
7.0
Yellow

Phenolphthalein

Methyl
Red
6.5
Light
Yellow

Bromothymol
Blue
7.3
Light Blue

Phenol
Red
8.4
Pink

Phenolphthalein

Methyl
Red
5.8
Pale
Yellow

Bromothymol
Blue
5.8
Pale
Green

Phenol
Red
7.0
Orange

Phenolphthalein

Methyl
Red
5.5
Very
Light
Pink

Bromothymol
Blue
4.5
Very Light
Yellow

Phenol
Red
6.0
Light
Yellow

Phenolphthalein

7.0
Colourless

Alizarin
Yellow-R
10.0
Yellow

Solution: 0.1 M NaC2H3O2

INDICATOR
pH
COLOUR
CHANGES

Methyl
Orange
5.0
Yellow

8.0
Colourless

Alizarin
Yellow-R
11.0
Orange

Solution: 0.1 M ZnCl2

INDICATOR
pH
COLOUR
CHANGES

Methyl
Orange
4.3
Pale
Orange

8.0
Pale Pink

Alizarin
Yellow-R
10.3
Slightly
Orange

Solution: 0.1 M KAl(SO4)2

INDICATOR
pH
COLOUR
CHANGES

Methyl
Orange
3.6
BrickRed

8.0
Colourless

Alizarin
Yellow-R
10.0
Light
Yellow

Solution: 0.1 M Na2CO3

INDICATOR
pH
COLOUR
CHANGES

Methyl
Orange
4.0
Orange

Methyl
Red
6.8
YellowOrange

Bromothymol
Blue
7.3
Blue

Phenol
Red
8.0
Pink

Phenolphthalein
9.3
Dark Pink

Part B : pH of buffer solution

(i)

Preparation of acetic acid-sodium acetate buffer

Weight of NaC2H3O2.3H2O
Volume of 3.0 M acetic acid
Volume of distilled water
pH of the buffer solution
(ii)

3.5014 g
8.8 mL
55.6 mL
5.598

Effect of acid and base on buffer pH

pH of the solutions in beaker 1

pH of the solutions in beaker 2 (addition of 1mL of 3.0 M HCl)
pH of the solutions in beaker 3 (addition of 1mL of 3.0 M NaOH)

5.598
5.141
6.698

Alizarin
Yellow-R
11.0
Reddish
Orange

Formula:
Average pH =

KW = [H+] [OH-] = 1.0 x 10-14

Kw = Ka Kb

pH = -log [H+]

Ka =

[OH-] =

Kb =

CALCULATIONS
Unboiled distilled water
Average pH

Average pH =

=
Concentration of [H+]

Concentration of [OH-]

= 6.07

pH = -log [H+]
6.07 = -log [H+]
[H+] = 8.51 x 10-7
[OH-] =
=

Net ionic equation

Ka

= 1.18 x 10-8

H2O (l) H+ (aq) + OH-(aq)

CO2 (aq) + H2O (aq) H2CO3 (aq)
H2CO3 (aq) H+ (aq) + HCO3- (aq)
Ka

= [HCO3- ] [H+ ] = 4.2 x 10-7

[H2CO3]

Kb

= 1.0 x 10-14
1.2 x 10-7

Kb
= 2.38 x 10-8

Boiled distilled water

Average pH

Average pH =

=
Concentration of [H+]

Concentration of [OH-]

=6.18

pH = -log [H+]
6.18 = -log [H+]
[H+] = 6.61 x 10-7
[OH-] =
=

= 1.52 x 10-8

H2O (l) H+ (aq) + OH-(aq)

Net ionic equation

Ka

Ka = [H+ ] [OH- ] = (6.61 x 10-7) (1.52 x 10-8 )

= 1.0 x 10-14 = Kw
Kb = 1.0 x 10-14 = 1.00 x 100
1.0 x 10-14

Kb

0.1M NaCl
Average pH

Average pH =

=5.57

Concentration of [H ]

Concentration of [OH-]

pH = -log [H+]
5.57 = -log [H+]
[H+] = 2.69 x 10-6
[OH-] =
=

= 3.72 x 10-9

Net ionic equation

NaCl (l) Na+ (aq) + Cl-(aq)

H2O (l) H+ (aq) + OH-(aq)
CO2 (aq) + H2O (aq) H2CO3 (aq)
H2CO3 (aq) H+ (aq) + HCO3- (aq)
-

Ka
Kb

0.1M NH4Cl
Average pH

Average pH =

=
Concentration of [H+]

Concentration of [OH-]

=5.97

pH = -log [H+]
5.97 = -log [H+]
[H+] = 1.07 x 10-6
[OH-] =
=

Net ionic equation

= 9.34 x 10-9

NH4Cl (l) NH4+ (aq) + Cl- (aq)

NH4+ (aq) + H2O (l) NH3(aq) + H3O+ (aq)

Ka

Ka

= [NH3][H+] = 5.6 x 10-10

[NH4+]

Kb

Kb

= 1.0 x 10-14 = 1.79 x 10-5

5.6x 10-10

0.1 M NaC2H3O2
Average pH

Average pH =

7.7

Concentration of [H+]

Concentration of [OH-]

pH = -log [H+]
7.7 = -log [H+]
[H+] = 2.00 x 10-8
[OH-] =
=

Net ionic equation

= 5 x 10-7

NaC2H3O2 (aq) Na+(aq) + C2H3O2- (aq)

C2H3O2- (aq) + H2O (l) C2H4O2 (aq) + OH-(aq)

Ka

Ka = 1.0 x 10-14 = 4.0 x 104

2.5 x 10-19

Kb

Kb = [C2H4O2] [OH-] = 2.5 x 10-19

[C2H3O2

0.1 M ZnCl2
Average pH

Average pH =

=
Concentration of [H+]

Concentration of [OH-]

=6.87

pH = -log [H+]
6.87 = -log [H+]
[H+] = 1.35 x 10-7
[OH-] =
=

Net ionic equation

Ka

= 7.41 x 10-8

Zn2+ (aq) + H2O (l) Zn(OH)2 (aq) + H+ (aq)

Ka = [Zn(OH)2] [H+] = 2.5 x 10-7
[Zn2+]

Kb

Kb = 1.0 x 10-14 = 4.0 x 10-8

2.5 x 10-7

0.1 M KAl(SO4)2
Average pH

Average pH =

=
Concentration of [H+]

Concentration of [OH-]

=6.23

pH = -log [H+]
6.23 = -log [H+]
[H+] = 5.88 x 10-7
[OH-] =
=

Net ionic equation

= 1.7 x 10-8

KAI4+ (aq) + H2O (l) KAI(OH)4 (aq) + H+(aq)

= [KAI(OH)4] [H+ ] = 6.3 x 10-7
[KAI4+]

Ka

Ka

Kb

Kb = 1.0 x 10-14 = 1.59 x 10-8

6.3 x 10-7

0.1 M Na2CO3
Average pH

Average pH =

=
Concentration of [H+]

pH = -log [H+]
7.73 = -log [H+]
[H+] = 1.86 x 10-8

=7.73

Concentration of [OH-]

[OH-] =
=

Net ionic equation

= 5.38 x 10-7

Na2CO3 (l) 2Na+ (aq) + CO32- (aq)

CO32- (aq) + H2O (l) HCO3- (aq) + OH- (aq)

Ka

Ka = 1.0 x 10-14 = 4.76 x 10-11

2.1 x 10-4

Kb

Kb = [HCO3- ] [OH- ] = 2.1 x 10-4

[CO32-]

DICUSSION
For the part A, the experiment is done by adding 5ml of unboiled water to six test tubes.Three
drops of six different indicator (methyl orange, methyl red, bromothymol blue, phenol red,
phenolphthalein and alizarin yellow-R) is then added into each of the test tubes.From the
changes of colour of the indicator, the pH value can be determine by referring the colour change
to the indicator chart.The experiment is repeated by changing the unboiled water with boiled
water, 0.1M NaCl, 0.1M NH4Cl, 0.1M NaC2H3O2, 0.1M ZnCl2, 0.1M KA(SO4)2, and Na2CO3.
For unboiled distilled water, the pH that we get is 6.07. The concentration of H+ and OH- is 8.51
x 10-7 and 1.18 x 10-8.The net equation for this hydrolysis is,
H2O (l) H+ (aq) + OH- (aq)
CO2 (aq) + H2O (aq) H2CO3 (aq)
H2CO3 (aq) H+ (aq) + HCO3- (aq)
The expression for equilibrium constant is,
Ka = [HCO3-] [H+]
[H2CO3]
And the value of Ka and Kb that we get is 4.2 x 10-7 and 2.38 x 10-8.

For boiled distilled water, the pH that we get is 6.18. The concentration of H+ and OH- is 6.61
x 10-7 and 1.52 x 10-8The net equation for this hydrolysis is,
H2O (l) H+ (aq) + OH-(aq)
The expression for equilibrium constant is,
Ka = [H+ ] [OH- ]
And the value of Ka and Kb that we get is 1.0 x 10-14 and 1.00 x 100.
For 0.1 M NaCl, the pH that we get is 5.57. The concentration of H+ and OH- is 2.69 x 10-6 and
3.72 x 10-9The net equation for this hydrolysis is,
H2O (l) H+ (aq) + OH-(aq)
CO2 (aq) + H2O (aq) H2CO3 (aq)

H2CO3 (aq) H+ (aq) + HCO3- (aq)

There is no Ka or Kb for this hydrolysis.

For 0.1 M NH4Cl, the pH that we get is 5.97. The concentration of H+ and OH- is 1.07 x 10-6
and 9.34 x 10-9The net equation for this hydrolysis is,
NH4Cl (l) NH4+ (aq) + Cl- (aq)
NH4+ (aq) + H2O (l) NH3(aq) + H3O+ (aq)
The expression for equilibrium constant is,
Ka = [NH3] [H+]
[NH4+]
And the value of Ka and Kb that we get is 5.6 x 10-10 and 1.79 x 10-5.

For 0.1 M Na2C2H3O2, the pH that we get is 7.7. The concentration of H+ and OH- is 2 x 10-8
and 5x 10-7.
The net equation for this hydrolysis is,
NaC2H3O2 (aq) Na+(aq) + C2H3O2- (aq)
C2H3O2- (aq) + H2O (l) C2H4O2 (aq) + OH-(aq)
The expression for equilibrium constant is,
Kb = [C2H4O2] [OH-]
[C2H3O2-]
And the value of Ka and Kb that we get is 4.0 x 104 and 2.5 x 10-19

For 0.1 M ZnCl2, the pH that we get is 6.87. The concentration of H+ and OH- is 1.35 x 10-7 and
7.41 x 10-8
The net equation for this hydrolysis is,
Zn2+ (aq) + H2O (l) Zn(OH)2 (aq) + H+ (aq)

The expression for equilibrium constant is,

Ka = [Zn(OH)2] [H+]
[Zn2+]
And the value of Ka and Kb that we get is 2.5 x 10-7 and 4.0 x 10-8.

For 0.1 M KAI (SO4)2, the pH that we get is 6.23. The concentration of H+ and OH- is 5.88 x 107
and 1.7 x 10-8.
The net equation for this hydrolysis is,
KAI4+ (aq) + H2O (l) KAI(OH)4 (aq) + H+(aq)
The expression for equilibrium constant is,
Ka = [KAI(OH)4] [H+]
[KAI4+]
And the value of Ka and Kb that we get is 6.3 x 10-7 and 1.59 x 10-8

For 0.1 M Na2CO3, the pH that we get is 7.73. The concentration of H+ and OH- is 1.86 x 10-8
and 5.38 x 10-7.
The net equation for this hydrolysis is,
Na2CO3 (l) 2Na+ (aq) + CO32- (aq)
CO32- (aq) + H2O (l) HCO3- (aq) + OH- (aq)
The expression for equilibrium constant is,
Kb = [HCO3- ] [OH- ]
[CO32-]
And the value of Ka and Kb that we get is 4.76 x 10-11 and 2.1 x 10-4.

For experiment in part B, acetic acid is added to the NaC2H3O2.3H2O .The pH that we get after
measuring the pH of the solution using a calibrated pH meter is 5.598.

After the addition of 3.0 M HCl, the pH increase to 5.141. This pH value can be said valid
because the number of pH is decrease as the solution is becoming more acidic.
However. after the addition of 3.0 M NaOH, the pH is increasing to 6.698. This pH value is valid
because the number of pH is increase as the solution becomes more alkaline.

CONCLUSION
From the experiment, we get the pH value of unboiled distilled water 6.07, boiled distilled water
6.18, 0.1 M NaCl 5.57, 0.1 M NH4Cl 5.94, 0.1 M NaC2H3O2 7.7, 0.1 M ZnCl2 6.87, 0.1 M KAI
(SO4)2 6.23, 0.1 M Na2CO3 7.73.
For salts derived from a weak acid and a weak base, both the cation and anion hydrolyze.
However, whether a solution containing such a salt is acidic, basic or neutral depends on the
relative strengths of the weak acid and weak base. If Ka is more than Kb, then the solution is
acidic solution and vice versa.
A buffer solution resists large changes in pH upon the addition of small amounts of strong acid
or strong base. The pH value will decrease when buffer solution react with acid and will increase
when react with base. But in this experiment, some errors had occurred that make the pH value
after the addition of acid increase to 4.948 and not decrease.
All the objectives of this experiment which are to determine pH values of salts solutions by using
different indicators, to calculate the Ka or Kb for each cation or anion that hydrolyzes, preparing
acetic acid-sodium acetate buffer and to investigate the effect of acid on the buffer pH has been
achieved.

REFERENCES

Chang R. (2008). Chemistry (9th Ed) New York, McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. (Page
660-607)
Carnegie Mellon University (2001), Handout On Buffer Solutions, 30 July 2010 from
http://www.chem.cmu.edu/courses/09-106/notes/buffers.pdf
Jim clark (2002), Buffer Solutions, 31 July 2010 from
http://www.chemguide.co.uk/physical/acidbaseeqia/buffers.html
Dhanlal De Lloyd (2000), Preparation of pH Buffer Solutions, 31 July 2010 from
http://delloyd.50megs.com/moreinfo/buffers2.html
Brad Cole (2010), What Is Buffer Solutions?, 28 July 2010 from
http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-a-buffer-solution.htm