Chemistry IP
Chemistry IP
Chemistry IP
vinegar
Principal
Contents
Aim of the project
Introduction
Theory
Requirements
Calculations
Procedure
Observations
Result
Conclusions
To Measure the amount of acetic acid in vinegar
INTRODUCTION:
Measuring the Amount of Acetic Acid In Vinegar
by Titration with an Indicator Solution. The goal
of this project is to determine the amount of
Acetic Acid in different types of vinegar using
titration with a coloured pH indicator to
determine the endpoint.
THEORY
Vinegar is a solution made from the fermentation of ethanol
(CH3CH2OH), which in turn was previously fermented from sugar. The
fermentation of ethanol results in the production of acetic acid
(CH3COOH). There are many different types of vinegar, each starting
from a different original sugar source (e.g., rice, wine, malt, etc.). The
amount of acetic acid in vinegar can vary, typically between 4 to 6% for
table vinegar, but up to three times higher (18%) for pickling vinegar. In
this project, we will determine the amount of acid in different vinegars
using titration, a common technique in chemistry. Titration is a way to
measure the unknown amount of a chemical in a solution (the titrant) by
adding a measured amount of a chemical with a known concentration
(the titrating solution). The titrating solution reacts with the titrant, and
the endpoint of the reaction is monitored in some way. The
concentration of the titrant can now be calculated from the amount of
titrating solution added, and the ratio of two chemicals in the chemical
equation for the reaction. To measure the acidity of a vinegar solution,
we can add enough hydroxyl ions to balance out the added hydrogen
ions from the acid. The hydroxyl ions will react with the hydrogen ions to
produce water. In order for a titration to work, we need three things: 1. a
titration solution (contains hydroxyl ions with a precisely known
concentration), 2. a method for delivering a precisely measured volume
of the titrating solution, and 3. a means of indicating when the endpoint
has been reached. For the titrating solution, we’ll use a dilute solution of
Sodium Hydroxide (NaOH). Sodium Hydroxide is a strong base, which
means that it dissociates completely in water. So for every NaOH
molecule that we add to the solution, we can expect to produce a
hydroxyl ion. To dispense an accurately measured volume of the titrating
solution, we will use a burette. A burette is a long tube with a valve at the
bottom and graduated markings on the outside to measure the volume
contained in the burette. The burette is mounted on a ring stand, directly
above the titrant solution (as shown in the picture). Solutions in the
burette tend to creep up the sides of the glass at the surface of the liquid.
This is due to the surface tension of water. The surface of the liquid thus
forms a curve, called a meniscus. To measure the volume of the liquid in
the burette, always read from the bottom of the meniscus. In this
experiment, we will use an indicator solution called phenolphthalein.
Phenolphthalein is colourless when the solution is acidic or neutral.
When the solution becomes slightly basic, Phenolphthalein turns pinkish,
and then light purple as the solution becomes more basic. So when the
vinegar solution starts to turn pink, we know that the titration is
complete.
Materials Required:
To do this experiment we will need the following materials
and equipment:
ResResult: