TITRATION LAB REPORT 

Mahidol University International Demonstration School 

Accelerated Chemistry  

Presented To  

Dr. Patraphorn Sanguansat 

Members 

Sunita Susamakulwong (Praenuen) 6161117 

Pralin Chongrungsakulroj (Noon) 6161056 

Krittin Chotnoparatpat (Krit) 6161219 

Possathorn Sujipisut (Pun) 6161098 

Wiphop Klinsukontakul (Phupha) 6161192 

Yanisa Chanotran  (Prim)  6161103 

 
   

CONTENT 

 
 

ABSTRACT 2 

INTRODUCTION 3 

EXPERIMENT 5 

PRE-LAB QUESTIONS 9 

RESULTS 12 

CALCULATION 13 

POST-LAB QUESTIONS 20 

DISCUSSION 23 

CONCLUSION 26 

SUGGESTION 27 

REFERENCES 29 

   

1   
   

ABSTRACT 

In this laboratory experiment, we use the titration method to learn about the acid 
and base properties and developing a titration skill. We are experimenting with the 
reaction between HCL and NaOH to create NaCl and water. The titrant or reagent is 
OHNaOH which the concentration is given as 0.05 M. The titrant or analyte that we are 
finding its concentration is HCl. In this experiment, we use three different indicators 
which are; phenolphthalein, bromophenol blue, and bromothymol blue. We are 
performing two trials for each indicator for more accuracy. The experiment that we use 
phenolphthalein as an indicator, we drop down about 15.45 ml of NaOH to the HCl until 
the color changes to almost transparent light pink. The acid concentration and pH levels 
are approximately 0.0773 M and 7 respectively. In the experiment that has bromophenol 
blue as an indicator, we use 15.86 ml of NaOH as the color of the solution turns to light 
indigo. The pH level of this solution is averagely 5.2 and the acid concentration is an 
average of 0.0793 M. The experiment that we use bromothymol blue we use averagely 
15.875 ml until the solution’s color changes to light cyan. The pH level measured is an 
average of 7 and the average acid concentration is 0.0794 M. Therefore, this lab aims to 
learn how to calculate the unknown concentration of the substances, given by the 
concentration and volume of another substance in the reaction. Moreover, to develop 
laboratory skills, especially with the glassware and measurement tools. 

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2   
   

INTRODUCTION 

In our experiment, we are to produce water and salts from different types of acids 
and bases. To do this we used what is called a neutralization reaction. This type of 
reaction is when the H​+​ ions and the OH​-​ ions from the acids and bases respectively, 
combine to form water and salts, depending on the type of acid and base 
("Neutralization", 2019).  

Titration is the method in which we slowly add one solution to 

another via buret and stopcock. We do this to find the pH and 
concentration of one of these solutions by adding one solution that 
we have information one (Ruff, "How to Perform a Titration", 2019). 

The definition of an acid or base generally describes liquids that 

have certain characteristics. Acid is usually a corrosive substance 
while a base has a slippery and bitter taste ("Chemical Properties of 
Acids and Bases: Properties, Videos, and Examples", 2019). In the 
molecular world, acids and bases have three characteristics that 
can separate them.  

The first is the Arrhenius method. This states that when an acid 
reacts, it either releases hydrogen or a hydronium ion while when 
a base reacts, it releases a hydroxide ion. 

The second method is the Brønsted-Lowry method. This method involves looking at the 
reaction to the hydrogen ion. If a hydrogen ion is transferred from one molecule to 
another, the original molecule is an acid, as they are a hydrogen ion donor and if the 
molecule receives a hydrogen ion, it is a base. Another curious factor is that when an 
acid donates its hydrogen ion, the remaining molecule turns into what is called a 
conjugate base and vice versa for a base and conjugated acid. 

The third method is the Lewis method. It states then when acids react with other 
chemicals, it is what is called an electron donor, where the acidic molecule gives out 
electrons. As for bases, it is what we call an electron acceptor, where it takes electrons 
from other molecules. 

To detect how acidic or basic a solution is, we need to first know the indicators for 
detecting pH. There are many types of techniques to detect pH, ranging from electronic 

3   
   

devices to universal paper indicators to the ones that will be used in our experiment, 
chemical indicators (Painter, "How to Identify if a Solution Is Neutral, Base or Acidic", 
2019). If using a universal paper indicator, the resulting color will be based on a color 
chart depending on whether or not it is an acid or base and how strong it is. Our 
experiment will be using three different types of chemical 
indicators as well as an electronic indicator to help accurately 
measure the pH levels. The first chemical indicator we used is 
bromophenol blue that can measure pH levels ranging from 3 to 
4.6. The second indicator we used is bromothymol blue which can 
measure pH levels ranging from 6 to 7.6 making this the only 
chemical indicator that can detect whether or not it is acidic or 
basic albeit at weaker levels. The last chemical indicator is 
phenolphthalein, a quite common pH indicator, which can 
measure pH ranging from 8.2 to 10, although when combined with other chemical 
indicators, including bromothymol blue, can be used as a universal indicator ("Universal 
Indicator", 2006). 

Our objective in this experiment is to learn and practice the process of doing 
titrations and the concept of acids and bases. As titrations will inevitably be used in other 
chemical experiments in the future, it is of significant importance that we get this 
training on a simple yet effective chemical procedure. With the steps on how to proceed 
with the experiment and warnings about some common mistakes like overdoing the 
titration with too many bases (Mott, "Introduction to Chemistry"), we can start with the 
experiment itself. 

4   
   

EXPERIMENT 

Glassware  
1. Burette 2. Graduated Pipette 3.Erlenmeyer flask 

4. Beaker  5. pH meter 6. Wash bottle 

  7. Stand and burette clamp 8. Pipette bulb 

   

5   
   

Personal protective equipment 

1. Laboratory Coat 2.Goggles 3.Gloves 

 
Chemicals 
1.Sodium hydroxide 2.Hydrochloric acid  3.Distilled water 

   

   

4.Phenolphthalein  5. Bromothymol blue 6.Bromophenol blue 

   

6   
   

Procedure 

7   
   

P 
I 
C 
T 
U 
R 
E 
S  

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PRE-LAB QUESTIONS  

1) How will you know when your titration is finished? 

While slowly dropping titrant from the buret to the acid in the Erlenmeyer 
flask, the color is going to gradually be changed. However, the color will be 
changed temporarily before permanently. Thus, we have to watch the solution 
closely while swirling it until we get the expected color and it remains constant. 

2) Label the pH scale below with acid, base, and neutral, indicating numbers for 
each 

3) On the scale above, use an arrow to show where your equivalence point is 
located 

Bromophenol Blue  : 4 

Bromothymol Blue  : 7 

Phenolphthalein : 9 

   

9   
   

4) Write the neutralization reaction that occurs between hydrobromic acid 

(HBr) and lithium hydroxide (LiOH) 

​ ​LiOH+ HBr →  LiBr   + H2​ ​O 

The reaction between lithium hydroxide and hydrobromic acid will have lithium 
bromide or salt and water as the products.  

5) What is the concentration of 10 mL of HBr if it takes 16.73 mL of a 0.253 M 

LiOH solution to neutralize it? 

According to the formula of C​1​V​1​ = C​2​V​2​ or concentration multiplied by 

volume will be equal to another concentration times volume. 

Change mL to L 

16.73 mL / 1000 = 0.01673 L 

10 mL / 1000 = 0.01 L 

Plug into the equation 

C​1​V​1 = C​2​V​2 

C​1​ (0.01 L) = (0.253 M) (0.01673 L) 

C​1​ (0.01 L) = 0.00423269 M x L 

C​1 = 0.00423269 M x L / 0.01 L 

C​1 = 0.423269 M 

C​1 ≈ 0.423 M 

For the full and complete step, 

  LiOH + HBr →  LiBr   + H​2​O 

Volume 0.01673 L 0.01 L 

Concentration​ ​0.253 M ? 

   

10   
   

Sol. M  = mol / L 

0.253 M = mol / 0.01673 L 

0.253 M * 0.01673 L = mol 

0.00423269 M x L =  mol 

Mol ratio  = 1 : 1 

M = 0.00423269 mol / 0.01 L 

M =  0.423269 M 

M ≈ 0.423 M   

11   
   

RESULTS 

Concentration of sodium hydroxide : ​0.05 ​M 

Balanced Chemical Equation of the titration reaction :  

HCl + NaOH → NaCl + H2O 

Phenolphthalein  Bromophenol Blue  Bromothymol Blue 

 
Trial 1  Trial 2  Trial 1  Trial 2  Trial 1  Trial 2 

Initial Buret 
Volume (mL) 
15.7  0  34.4  32.6  17.65  0.2 

Final Buret 
Volume (mL) 
31.3  15.3  18.58  48.5  33.6  16 

Volume of Base 
(mL) 
15.6  15.3  15.82  15.9  15.95  15.8 

Volume of Base 
(L) 
0.0156  0.0153  0.01582  0.0159  0.01595  0.0158 

Moles of Base 
(mol) 
7.8x10⁻⁴   7.65x10⁻⁴  7.91x10⁻⁴  7.95x10⁻⁴  7.975x10⁻⁴  7.9x10⁻⁴ 

Acid to Base 
Mole Ratio 
1 : 1 

Moles of Acid 
(mol) 
7.8x10⁻⁴   7.65x10⁻⁴  7.91x10⁻⁴  7.95x10⁻⁴  7.975x10⁻⁴  7.9x10⁻⁴ 

Volume of Acid 
(L) 
0.01  0.01  0.01  0.01  0.01  0.01 

Acid 
Concentration  0.078  0.0765  0.0791  0.0795  0.07975  0.079 
(M) 

Average 
Concentration  0.0773  0.0793  0.0794 
(M) 

pH  7  5.2  7 

12   
   

CALCULATION 

Phenolphthalein 

TRIAL 1 

Initial Buret Volume ( from the record ) : 15.7 mL 

Final Buret Volume ( from the record ) : 31.3 mL 

Therefore, Volume of Base :   

Sol. Final Volume - Initial Volume = 

= 31.3 mL - 15.7 mL 

= 15.6 mL 

Convert to L ; 

15.6 mL / 1000 = 0.0156 L 

Find mol of base ; 

M  =  mol / L 

Mol = M x L 

= 0.05 M x 0.0156 L 

= 7.8x10⁻⁴  

Acid to base mol ratio ;  1 : 1 

Find mol of acid ; 7.8x10⁻⁴  

Volume of acid ( from the experiment ) ; 0.01 L 

Find acid concentration ; 

M = mol / L 

= 7.8x10⁻⁴mol / 0.01 L 

13   
   

= 0.078 M 

TRIAL 2 

Initial Buret Volume ( from the record ) : 0 mL 

Final Buret Volume ( from the record ) : 15.3 mL 

Therefore, Volume of Base :   

Sol. Final Volume - Initial Volume = 

= 15.3 mL - 0 mL 

= 15.3 mL 

Convert to L ; 

15.3 mL / 1000 = 0.0153 L 

Find mol of base ; 

M  =  mol / L 

Mol = M x L 

= 0.05 M x 0.0153 L 

= 7.65x10⁻⁴  

Acid to base mol ratio ;  1 : 1 

Find mol of acid ; 7.65x10⁻⁴  

Volume of acid ( from the experiment ) ; 0.01 L 

Find acid concentration ; 

M = mol / L 

= 7.65x10⁻⁴mol / 0.01 L 

= 0.0765 M 

Average Concentration : 0.078 + 0.0765 = 0.1545 

14   
   

0.1545 / 2 = 0.0773  ---- divided by 2 

pH indicator = 7 ---- from the pH meter 

Bromophenol Blue 

TRIAL 1 

Initial Buret Volume ( from the record ) : 34.4 mL 

Final Buret Volume ( from the record ) : 18.58 mL 

Therefore, Volume of Base :   

Sol. Final Volume - Initial Volume = 

= 34.4 mL - 18.58 mL 

= 15.82 mL 

Convert to L ; 

15.82 mL / 1000 = 0.01582 L 

Find mol of base ; 

M  =  mol / L 

Mol = M x L 

= 0.05 M x 0.01582 L 

= 7.91x10⁻⁴  

Acid to base mol ratio ;  1 : 1 

Find mol of acid ; 7.91x10⁻⁴  

Volume of acid ( from the experiment ) ; 0.01 L 

Find acid concentration ; 

M = mol / L 

= 7.91x10⁻⁴mol / 0.01 L 

15   
   

= 0.0791 

TRIAL 2 

Initial Buret Volume ( from the record ) : 32.6 mL 

Final Buret Volume ( from the record ) : 48.5 mL 

Therefore, Volume of Base :   

Sol. Final Volume - Initial Volume = 

= 48.5 mL - 32.6 mL 

= 15.9 mL 

Convert to L ; 

15.9 mL / 1000 = 0.0159 L 

Find mol of base ; 

M  =  mol / L 

Mol = M x L 

= 0.05 M x 0.0159 L 

= 7.95x10⁻⁴  

Acid to base mol ratio ;  1 : 1 

Find mol of acid ; 7.95x10⁻⁴  

Volume of acid ( from the experiment ) ; 0.01 L 

Find acid concentration ; 

M = mol / L 

= 7.95x10⁻⁴mol / 0.01 L 

= 0.0795 

Average Concentration : 0.0791 + 0.0795 = 0.1586 

16   
   

0.1586 / 2 = 0.0793  ---- divided by 2 

pH indicator = 5.2 ---- from the pH meter 

Bromothymol Blue 

TRIAL 1 

Initial Buret Volume ( from the record ) : 17.65 mL 

Final Buret Volume ( from the record ) : 33.6 mL 

Therefore, Volume of Base :   

Sol. Final Volume - Initial Volume = 

= 33.6 mL - 17.65 mL 

= 15.95 mL 

Convert to L ; 

15.95 mL / 1000 = 0.01595 L 

Find mol of base ; 

M  =  mol / L 

Mol = M x L 

= 0.05 M x 0.01595 L 

= 7.975x10⁻⁴  

Acid to base mol ratio ;  1 : 1 

Find mol of acid ; 7.975x10⁻⁴  

Volume of acid ( from the experiment ) ; 0.01 L 

Find acid concentration ; 

M = mol / L 

= 7.975x10⁻⁴mol / 0.01 L 

17   
   

= 0.07975 

TRIAL 2 

Initial Buret Volume ( from the record ) : 0.2 mL 

Final Buret Volume ( from the record ) : 16 mL 

Therefore, Volume of Base :   

Sol. Final Volume - Initial Volume = 

= 16 mL - 0.2 mL 

= 15.8 mL 

Convert to L ; 

15.8 mL / 1000 = 0.0158 L 

Find mol of base ; 

M  =  mol / L 

Mol = M x L 

= 0.05 M x 0.01582 L 

= 7.9x10⁻⁴  

Acid to base mol ratio ;  1 : 1 

Find mol of acid ; 7.9x10⁻⁴  

Volume of acid ( from the experiment ) ; 0.01 L 

Find acid concentration ; 

M = mol / L 

= 7.9x10⁻⁴mol / 0.01 L 

= 0.079 

Average Concentration : 0.07975 + 0.079 = 0.15875 

18   
   

0.15875 / 2 = 0.0794  ---- divided by 2 

pH indicator = 7 ---- from the pH meter 

POST-LAB QUESTIONS 

1. How would it affect your results if you used a beaker with the residual water in it 
to measure out your standardized sodium hydroxide solution? 

The  pH  value  will  be decreased because sodium hydroxide is considered as a base 

while  residual  water  is  typically  neutral.  Hence,  after  they  are  mixed,  the  pH  solution 
will  be  decreased  due  to  the  process  of  dilution,  the  chemical  reaction  in  which  the 
concentration of solute is decreased, simply by adding it with water.  

2. How would it affect your results if you used a wet Erlenmeyer flask instead of a 
dry one when transferring your acid solution from the volumetric pipette? 

The  wet  Erlenmeyer  flask  can  be  left  with  either leftover acid solution or distilled 

water.  The  distilled  water  has  a  pH  value  of  seven  while  the  acid  solution’s  pH  value  is 
about  one.  The  acid  solution  will  be  diluted  with  water.  The  concentration  of  the  acid 
will  decrease,  therefore,  increasing  the  pH  value  of  the  transferred  solution.  There is no 
way to be exact with the calculation. 

3. How do you tell if you have exceeded the equivalence point in your titration? 

The equivalence point is not the same as Endpoint; Equivalence point is the point 
where pH is of the mixed solution is seven or the concentration of the hydrogen ion is 
equal to the concentration of the hydroxide ion, while the Endpoint is the point where 
the indicator changes color. We can only observe the Endpoint by sight. The only 
indicator we used that we can observe the equivalence point by sight is Bromothymol 
Blue. For Bromothymol Blue, the Equivalence point and the Endpoint are the same. For 
others, we have to measure by the pH meter. 

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4. Vinegar is a solution of acetic acid (CH​3​COOH) in water. For quality control 

purposes, it can be titrated using sodium hydroxide to assure a specific % 
composition. If 25.00 mL of acetic acid is titrated with 9.08 mL of a standardized 
2.293 M sodium hydroxide solution, what is the molarity of the vinegar? 

According to the formula of C​1​V​1​ = C​2​V​2​ or concentration multiplied by volume will 

be equal to another concentration times volume. 

Change mL to L 

9.08 mL / 1000 = 0.00908 L 

25 mL / 1000 = 0.025 L 

Plug into the equation 

C​1​V​1 = C​2​V​2  

C​1​ (0.025 L) = (2.293 M) (0.00908 L) 

C​1​ (0.025 L) = 0.00423269 M x L 

C​1 = 0.02082044 M x L / 0.025 L 

C​1 = 0.8328176 M 

C​1 ≈ 0.833 M 

   

20   
   

For the full and complete step, 

  CH₃COOH + NaOH →  CH₃COONa + H​2​O 

Volume 0.00908 L 0.025 L 

Concentration​ ​2.293 M ? 

Sol. M  = mol / L 

2.293 M = mol / 0.00908 L 

2.293 M * 0.00908 L = mol 

0.02082044 M x L =  mol 

Mol ratio  = 1 : 1 

M = 0.02082044 mol / 0.025 L 

M =  0.8328176 M 

M ≈ 0.833 M 

   

21   
   

DISCUSSION 

Neutralization  is  the  method  of  adding  a  base  solution  to  acid  solution  or  vice 
versa.  The  pH  value  is  calculated  by  the  equation;  pH  =  -log[H⁺].  As  we keep adding the 
base  solution  to  the  acid  solution,  the concentration of both hydrogen ion and hydroxide 
ion  shifted  to  the  basic  side.  Acid-base  indicators  are  substances  that  will  change  the 
color  along  with  the  pH  values.  This  lab  consists  of  phenolphthalein, bromophenol blue, 
and  bromothymol blue. Each indicator has different endpoints as 9, 4, and 7 respectively. 
The  result  of  this  experiment is based on the approximation made by our observation on 
the  color of the solution only, hence, what we get will usually not be the same as what we 
expected. The color for each endpoint of indicators are the following: 

Phenolphthalein - Light pink 

Bromophenol Blue - Light indigo  

Bromothymol Blue - Light cyan 

All  of  these  colors  can  be  observed  after  each drop of each indicator. This process 

should  slowly  be  done  because  the  color  will  change  suddenly  in  the  last  drop  or  in  the 
situation  that  the  reaction  is quite completed. The color we achieved was the same as the 
sample  in  front  of  the  class,  however,  when  we  measured  the  pH  with the pH meter, we 
got  7,  5.2  and  7  respectively.  According  to  the  statement  above,  the  result  was  off  by 
more  than  the  range  of  one  meaning  that  our  experiment  has  some  errors. The possible 
errors we listed are 

1) The  indicator  might  have  oxidized  with  the  air.  Actually,  the  indicators 
themselves  are  either  weak  acids  or  bases.  This  means  that  when  they  are 
dissolved  in  water,  their  molecules  will  dissociate  to  form  ions.  The 
molecular  structure  of  each  indicator  like  Phenolphthalein  contains 
carbon-carbon  bonds---both  single  and  double.  These  aforementioned 
bonds  can  absorb  wavelengths  from  visible  light,  making  them  appear 
color.  Therefore,  when  the  concentration  of  H⁺  changes  from  high  to  low; 
from  acid  to  base,  the  electron  arrangement  in  the  molecule  will  change 
causing  it  to  absorb  different  wavelengths  of  light  and  come  up  with 
different  colors.  In  this  case,  when  the  indicator  is  oxidized  with  the 
air---includes oxygen (O2), the color of the solution will change quicker.  
2) The  solution  might  have  been  diluted  by  distilled  water  when  we  use  the 

22   
   

half  drop  technique.  When  a  solution  is  diluted,  the  molarity  of  the  titrant 
tends  to  decrease.  Subsequently,  the  mol of H⁺ ions will react with less OH- 
ions  but  with  more  water.  This  will  decrease  the  pH  value  than  what  is 
expected, and therefore, alter the calculation. 
3) We  might  not  have  swirl  well  or leave the solution for enough time. All the 
reaction  might  not  have  been  completed  over  a  short  period  of  time,  thus, 
the result would be more acidic than it should be. 
4) The  pH  meter  might  have  not  been  accurate.  There  are  other  ways  to 
indicate pH. One such example is a universal indicator. 

Another  thing  that  we  have  observed  is  the  slight  difference  in  the  value  of  the 
acid  concentration.  This  is  because  the  volume  of the base used in this titration is almost 
the  same  in  every  trial.  Therefore, once the mole ratio is 1 to 1, the mole of acid and base 
will  be  equal.  This,  ultimately, leads to the equal value of acid concentration. This proves 
that the HCl with unknown concentration is the same solution for all three experiments. 

One  of  the  obstacles  we  encountered  was  trying  to  titrate  the  solution  as 
accurately  as  possible  because  the  pH  value  increases  exponentially  as  we  keep  adding 
the  Sodium  hydroxide.  This  means  that  if  we  mistakenly  add the hydroxide ion by just a 
decimal  point,  the  whole  solution’s  pH  value  will  change  by  a  lot  as  seen  by  the  graph. 
The x-axis is the Hydrogen ion concentration and the y-axis is the pH value. 

Figure 1. -log graph with the range of -1 to 7 

From the titration process, we as a group had a chance to learn and practice doing 
the titration lab, a process of determining the concentration of a dissolved substance. We 

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also have known how to use each lab equipment properly and correctly. For example, 
how to read burette and pipette precisely enough by seeing the meniscus at the eye level. 
Moreover, we learned how to use some indicators and chemical substances; hydrochloric 
acid and sodium hydroxide for indicating each solution pH value with the correct use of 
chemical substances as well. Not only this but to achieve and complete our goals, we as a 
team have to divide works equally according to each member’s abilities along with 
knowing how to solve the problems that we might encounter during the lab experiment. 

   

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CONCLUSION 

In summary, we use titration to find out the concentration of acid when the 
reaction reaches a neutralized state. The titrant is NaOH with the given concentration of 
0.05 M. The three indicators that we use are phenolphthalein, bromophenol blue, and 
bromothymol blue. In the experiment that we used phenolphthalein as an indicator, we 
used an average of 15.45 ml of NaOH. According to the observation, the color of the 
solution turned to light pink almost transparent which roughly the same color as the 
sample shown in the laboratory. The pH level we measured from the two trials that we 
did with phenolphthalein is both 7.0 which is not equal to the expected endpoint. This 
may be caused by some errors that occurred in the experiment. The concentration of 
acid of the two trials is an average of 0.0773 M. In the experiment that we use the 
indicator bromophenol blue, we have used an average of 15.86 ml of NaOH. The 
solution’s color appears to turn to be light indigo. This color is the same as the sample 
judging by the observation we make by eyes. The average pH level we measured in the 
two trials is 5.4 which is not equal to the expected endpoint. The acid concentration from 
the two trials is approximately 0.0793 M. For the experiment that we used bromothymol 
blue, we used approximately 15.875 ml of NaOH until the color of the solution changed to 
cyan which is the same color as the sample. However, the pH level is not the same as the 
expected endpoint. The pH level we have measured is 7 in both trials. The Acid 
concentration is 0.0794 M. After all the calculation, we found out that the concentration 
of acid in each trial is approximately the same which is averagely 0.0787 mol. This is 
because, in every trial of every indicator, we use HCl solution from the same source and 
the same volume so that the concentration remains constant.  

   

25   
   

SUGGESTION 

Although the experiment is well designed for educational purposes — to study 

titration methods of acid-base properties, there were still some mistakes made during 
trials. Those mistakes are to be considered in further experiments in order to obtain 
more accurate results. 

Firstly, the graduated pipette and burette scale were misread due to confusion. 
Preparing yourself properly before getting into the laboratory could help prevent the 
same mistake from happening. The burette is the apparatus that should always be aware 
when using because the scale is not as usual as others. While the number usually 
increases from the bottom of the top, the burette scale counts as top-down. 

Next, Exceeding endpoint. In order to clarify, endpoints are pH values at which 

indicators change their color. The point could be slightly small and hard to detect. 
Therefore, dropping one to one drop of NaOH solution might still be too much and it 
might exceed the endpoint easily. However, while doing the titration there were some 
distractions pulling members’ concentration apart, the color of indicator changed rapidly 
and already exceeded the point that was aimed. To avoid the situation from being 
repeated, the tester must highly pay attention while titration. Stop allowing a full drop of 
the base when the color appearance becomes more noticeable, and use distilled water to 
rinse half drop down into the conical flask. 

However, using distilled water may also mildly affect the result precision as a 
result of hydrogen ions yielded in water molecules when they are dissociated. Hydrogen 
ions will eventually be included in pH measurement since the pH scale is based on the 
amount of protons concentration in the solution (H​+​). By avoiding using much-distilled 
water, pH error from this stage could be reduced. Always make sure that color remains 
for a while before applying the half-drop technique.  

In addition, phenolphthalein is normally easy to get oxidized with the air. The 
solution might seem to change its color for at least 30 seconds and then fade, this is due 
to the oxidation occurred as mentioned. The titration should be kept going until the color 
shade is constant even though at the final stage already.  

Equally important, the pH meter could not dip into the Erlenmeyer flask for the 
reason that the body of the pH meter is bigger than the neck of the flask. Hence, it is 
going to measure the pH easier if measured from the beaker. Last but not least, do not 

26   
   

forget to clean the pH meter’s sensor with distilled water. 

Then, the next problem might have occurred from the incommensurate amount 
of drop of the indicators before we drop some NaOH into the solution’s flask. The 
solution to this problem is uncomplicated to solve which is the amount of drop of 
indicators must be proportionate in every solution’s flasks, ultimately, the results were 
not as we expected. The results are caused by errors during the experiments. For 
instance, the pH meter might not be accurate, the amount of NaOH was not proportional 
to the HCL and distilled water, etc. 

   

27   
   

REFERENCES 

Chemical Properties of Acids and Bases: Properties, Videos and Examples. (2019, December 2).
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Mott, V. (n.d.). Introduction to Chemistry. Retrieved February 11, 2020, from

https://courses.lumenlearning.com/introchem/chapter/acid-base-titrations/

Chemical Properties of Acids and Bases: Properties, Videos and Examples. (2019, December 2).
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https://www.toppr.com/guides/chemistry/acids-bases-and-salts/chemical-properties-of-acids-and-
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Mott, V. (n.d.). Introduction to Chemistry. Retrieved February 11, 2020, from

https://courses.lumenlearning.com/introchem/chapter/acid-base-titrations/

Neutralization. (2019, June 5). Retrieved February 11, 2020, from

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pH SCALE AS AN INDICATOR - ACIDS AND BASES.​ (n.d.). Retrieved February 12, 2020, from 

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https://sites.google.com/a/oberoi-is.net/acids-and-bases/what-are-acids-and-bases/ph-scale-as-an- 

indicator

[No title]. (n.d.). Retrieved February 12, 2020, from

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pH SCALE AS AN INDICATOR - ACIDS AND BASES. (n.d.). Retrieved February 12, 2020,

from

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Portable Digital PH Meter Tester Aquarium Pool Water Wine Urine LCD Pen Monitor
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Ruff, B. (2019, May 21). How to Perform a Titration. Retrieved February 13, 2020, from
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cator

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