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AS Chemistry Coursework – To Determine the Concentration of a Limewater Solution

Aim

        To determine the concentration of a limewater solution using hydrochloric acid with a known concentration of 2.00 moldm-3.

Introduction

        The initial idea of how to carry out this task is with a titration, however before this can be achieved other tasks have to be carried out. We know the limewater has a concentration of approx 1g dm-3 and the HCl has a concentration of 2.00 moldm-3 so the concentration of HCl has to be reduced.

        The second issue with the titration is which indicator to use. The indicator will be used to show the point where the solution becomes neutral when all of the base has been reacted. From Understanding Chemistry, for the indicator it is important that:

  • The indicators colour change is sharp so one drop of acid will cause the colour to change instantly rather than it changing gradually as more acid is added.
  • The colour change happens at the equivalence point which is the point where the amount of hydroxide ions equals the amount of hydrogen ions.
  • The colour change is distinct which would make it easier to see when the solution has been neutralised; a good example of this is phenolphthalein.

Preparation

        Before the titration can take place, the correct concentration of HCl must be found and prepared. Using certain equations, this can be achieved.

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Reaction

Ca(OH)2(aq) + 2HCl(aq) → CaCl2(aq) + 2H2O(l)

1 mole of Calcium Hydroxide reacts with 1 mole of Hydrochloric Acid.

Concentration of Limewater (Ca(OH)2(aq)):

Conc. approx = 1g dm-3

Mr(Ca(OH)2) = 40 + 2(16 + 1) = 74

Moles = Mass / Mr

Moles = 1 / 74

Conc. approx = 1/74 moldm-3 = 0.0135 moldm-3

Concentration of Hydrochloric Acid (HCl(aq)):

Original Conc. = 2.00 moldm-3

To get about 25 cm3 of Limewater to react with 25cm3 of HCl, the concentration of HCl needs to be double the limewater. A concentration of 0.02 moldm-3 will be used.

Dilution factor = x100

New Conc. ...

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