Chemistry 9701 · AS & A Level · Analytical techniques

Analytical techniques — practice question

Washing soda is hydrated sodium carbonate, $\text{Na}_2\text{CO}_3 \cdot x\text{H}_2\text{O}$. A student set out to find the value of $x$ by titration, and obtained these results: $5.13\,\text{g}$ of washing soda crystals were dissolved in water and the solution was made up to $250\,\text{cm}^3$ in a standard volumetric flask. Then $25.0\,\text{cm}^3$ of this solution reacted exactly with $35.8\,\text{cm}^3$ of $0.100\,\text{mol dm}^{-3}$ hydrochloric acid, with carbon dioxide being produced.
(a(i))

Write a balanced equation for the reaction of $\text{Na}_2\text{CO}_3$ with HCl.

(a(ii))

Calculate the amount, in moles, of HCl in the $35.8\,\text{cm}^3$ of solution used in the titration.

(a(iii))

Use your answers to (i) and (ii) to work out the amount, in moles, of $\text{Na}_2\text{CO}_3$ in the $25.0\,\text{cm}^3$ of solution used in the titration.

(a(iv))

Use your answer to (iii) to calculate the mole amount of $\text{Na}_2\text{CO}_3$ in the $250\,\text{cm}^3$ of solution in the standard volumetric flask.

(a(v))

Hence calculate the mass of $\text{Na}_2\text{CO}_3$ contained in $5.13\text{ g}$ of washing soda crystals.

(b)[2]

Use your calculations in (a) to work out the value of $x$ in $\text{Na}_2\text{CO}_3 \cdot x\text{H}_2\text{O}$.

Worked solution & mark scheme

This 2-mark question has a full step-by-step worked solution and mark scheme. One marking point: Therefore, $\mathrm{Na_2CO_3 + 2HCl \rightarrow 2NaCl + H_2O + CO_2}$

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