Back Titration - Antacid-1 CAPE Unit 2
Back Titration - Antacid-1 CAPE Unit 2
DATE: ……………
INTRODUCTION:
The aim of this experiment is to find the mass of calcium carbonate in one antacid tablet. You will do this
by a back titration. Back titrations are used for reactions between acids and insoluble bases. The insoluble
base is reacted with a known amount of excess acid and then the amount of left over acid is measured by
titration with sodium hydroxide solution.
In order to be confident in the results of the experiment, the concentrations of the sodium hydroxide and
hydrochloric acid must be known accurately. You will use anhydrous sodium carbonate to standardise the
hydrochloric acid used in the reaction.
BACKGROUND:
1. Write the balanced equations for the reactions taking place.
3. Calculate the mass of anhydrous sodium carbonate needed to produce 250 cm3 of a 0.250 moldm–3
Volume → Moles
1000cm3 of Na2CO3 has 0.250 moles
250cm3 of Na2CO3 has x moles
x = (250x0.250)/1000
x = 6.25x10-2 moles of Na2CO3
Molar Mass of Na2CO3 → (23x2)+12+(16x3)
→ 106g
Mole → Mass
1 mole of Na2CO3 has a mass of 106g
6.25x10-2 moles of Na2CO3 has a mass of x
x = (6.25 x 10-2) x 106
x = 6.625 g of Na2CO3
MATERIALS:
List the materials and equipment needed for this experiment.
Burette, pipette, volumetric flask , Methyl orange, dropper, funnel, beaker, NaOH , anhydrous
sodium carbonate, burette clamp, Hydrochloric acid, tums tablet and phenolphthalein, electronic
weight.
RISK ASSESSMENT:
Based on the procedure, identify any hazards associated with the experiment.
State how these hazards can be reduced.
DATA:
Design tables to collect the data
Part I – Standardisation of HCl
Mass of Na2CO3 : 0.06g
ANALYSIS:
− Use your results to calculate the mass of calcium carbonate in the tablet.
− The manufacturer claims that each tablet contains 500 mg of calcium carbonate.
− Use your answer to evaluate the accuracy of the claim.
Average volume
(26.7+26.8)/2
=26.75 cm3
Vol → Mol
1000 cm3 of HCl has x moles
26.75 cm3 of HCl has 1.13208x10-3 moles
x = (1000 x 1.13208x10-3)/26.75
x = 4.23207 x 10-2 moles of HCl (original)
Average volume
(33.80+33.90)/2
=33.85 cm3
X = (33.85 x 0.100)/1000
X = 3.385 x 10-3 of NaOH
HCl(aq) + NaOH(aq) → NaCl(aq) + H2O(l)
1 : 1
x 3.385 x 10-3
x = 3.385 x 10-3 moles of HCl
Vol → Moles
25 cm3 of HCl has 3.385 x 10-3 moles
250 cm3 of HCl has x moles
x = ( (3.385 x 10-3)x250)/25
x = 3.385 x 10-2 moles of excess HCl
1 : 2
X 8.4707 x 10-3
X = (8.4707 x 10-3)/2
Moles → Mass
DISCUSSION:
Questions to guide the discussion and conclusion:
● What could have caused the concentrations and masses to differ from the expected values?
● What assumptions did you make in your analysis?
● How could the experiment have be improved?
Justify your answer with numbers.
The concentration of the original moles of HCl was 4.23207 x 10-2 . After further calculations the excess
was calculated to be 3.385 x 10-2 . We then deduced by subtracting the excess from the original then
using mole ratio with the formula CaCO3(aq) + 2HCl(aq) → CaCl2(aq) + H2O(l) + CO2(g) that the
amount of moles of Calcium carbonate that reacted with the HCl was 4.2354x 10-3 moles . This was
converted to mass by multiplying the result by the molar mass of 100g. The mass of calcium carbonate in
the tablet is 423.54 mg. This was close to the value of what the manufacturer claimed in the analysis. This
value may have differed because of random errors in the experiment, for example, a draft causing the
electronic weight to fluctuate in value. This may have caused inaccurate measurements during the
experiment. The assumption is that the manufacturer's claim is accurate. The experiment could have been
improved by ensuring that all the windows were shut and fans turned off to reduce the amount of draft
present.
To conclude, the concentration of the original moles of HCl was 4.23207 x 10-2 , the excess was 3.385 x
10-2 and the amount of moles of Calcium carbonate that reacted with the HCl was 4.2354x 10-3 moles.
The mass of calcium carbonate in the tablet is 423.54 mg.