Chemistry 5070 · O Level · Acid–base titrations

Acid–base titrations — practice question

White vinegar is a colourless solution of ethanoic acid. A student carries out titrations of $0.400\,\text{mol dm}^{-3}$ aqueous sodium hydroxide with two vinegar samples, A and B. Four titrations are done in total, two with A and two with B. The student: Step 1 uses a volumetric pipette to place $25.0\,\text{cm}^3$ of $0.400\,\text{mol dm}^{-3}$ sodium hydroxide into a conical flask. Step 2 adds five drops of an indicator to the conical flask. Step 3 runs A from a burette into the flask while swirling the contents, then adds it drop by drop close to the end-point until the solution just changes colour. Step 4 empties the conical flask and rinses it with distilled water. Step 5 repeats steps 1 to 4. Step 6 repeats steps 1 to 5 using B instead of A.
(a(i))[3]

Enter the burette readings in Table 2.1. Fill in Table 2.1 with the volume used in each titration.

(a(ii))[1]

Enter the burette readings for Titration 4 in Table 2.2. Work out the volume of vinegar B added in Titrations 3 and 4.

(b)[1]

Calculate the mean volume of A and of B required to neutralise $25.0\,\text{cm}^3$ of $0.400\,\text{mol dm}^{-3}$ aqueous sodium hydroxide.

(c)[1]

Suggest why the titrations using A and B are repeated.

(d)[2]

The reaction between ethanoic acid and sodium hydroxide is shown. $\text{CH}_3\text{COOH} + \text{NaOH} \rightarrow \text{CH}_3\text{COONa} + \text{H}_2\text{O}$ The response to (b) gives the mean volume of B needed to neutralise $25.0\,\text{cm}^3$ of $0.400\,\text{mol dm}^{-3}$ aqueous sodium hydroxide. Calculate the concentration of ethanoic acid in B. Give your answer to an appropriate number of significant figures.

(e)[2]

Use your answer to (d) to find the mass of ethanoic acid in $500\,\text{cm}^3$ of B. [$M_r$ ethanoic acid, $60$]

(f)[1]

Use your answers to (b) and (e) to find the mass of ethanoic acid in $500\,\text{cm}^3$ of A.

(g)[2]

Suggest why the conical flask is rinsed with distilled water rather than $0.400\,\text{mol dm}^{-3}$ aqueous sodium hydroxide between titrations.

(h)[1]

Some vinegars are brown rather than colourless. Suggest why this titration method would not work well for determining the concentration of ethanoic acid in brown vinegar.

Worked solution & mark scheme

This 14-mark question has a full step-by-step worked solution and mark scheme. One marking point: Initial and final burette readings are both correct (final: 24.9, 37.4; initial: 0.0, 12.3)

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