AS Edexcel – Unit 2.

7 – The
Periodic Table: Groups 2 & 7 – Volumetric Analysis – Questions

1. Before a solution of hydrochloric acid can be used in volumetric analysis, its concentration must be found accurately.

(a) Suggest why hydrochloric acid cannot be made up as an accurate (standard) solution from pure hydrogen chloride. (1)

(b) The accurate concentration of a solution of hydrochloric acid can be found by titrating it against a standard solution of sodium
carbonate. This is made by dissolving a known mass of anhydrous sodium carbonate, Na2CO3, in distilled water. Distilled water
is added to make the solution up to exactly 250 cm3 in a graduated flask. Give ONE reason why the sodium carbonate is

3 3
dissolved in distilled water and then made up to 250 cm of solution, rather than just dissolved in 250 cm of distilled water. (1)

3 –3
(c) The following results were obtained for the titration of 25.0 cm of 0.0500 mol dm sodium carbonate solution, Na2CO3,

against hydrochloric acid. Na CO + 2HCl → 2NaCl + CO + H O

2 3 2 2

Number of titration 1 2 3
3 31.10 32.55 30.30
Burette reading (final) / cm
3 0.00 2.05 0.00
Burette reading (initial) / cm
3 31.10 30.50 30.30
Volume of HCl used / cm

(i) Which TWO titrations should be used to calculate the mean (average) titre? Explain your answer. (2)

(ii) Calculate the mean titre. (1)

(iii) Calculate the amount (moles) of sodium carbonate, Na2CO3, in 25.0 cm3 of the 0.0500 mol dm-3 solution. (1)

(iv) Hence calculate the amount (moles) of hydrogen chloride, HCl, used. (1)

(v) Calculate the concentration of the hydrochloric acid solution to three significant figures. (2)
(Total 9 marks)

2. A 1.62 g sample of impure sodium carbonate was dissolved in distilled water and then made up to 250 cm3. 25.0 cm3 of this
solution was put into a conical flask and three drops of methyl orange indicator added. This was titrated against a 0.105 mol dm -3
solution of hydrochloric acid until the end point was reached. The titration was repeated three times. Results are shown below.

1 2 3 4
Burette reading (final) 25.30 25.30 25.85 25.95
Burette reading (at start) 0.00 0.50 0.75 1.25
3 25.30 24.80 25.10 24.70
Titre/cm

The equation for the reaction is: Na CO + 2HCl → 2NaCl + H O + CO

2 3 2 2
 AS Edexcel – Unit 2.7 – The
Periodic Table: Groups 2 & 7 – Volumetric Analysis – Questions

(a) (i) The student was supplied with a burette that may not have been clean. What precautions should be taken before

filling it with the standard hydrochloric acid solution?

(2)

(ii) Describe the colour change that tells when the end point has been reached. (2)

(b) (i) Select the appropriate titres and calculate their mean. (2)

(ii) Calculate the amount (in moles) of hydrochloric acid solution in the mean titre. (1)

(iii) Calculate the amount (in moles) of pure sodium carbonate in 25.0 cm3 of solution. (1)

(iv) Calculate the amount (in moles) of pure sodium carbonate in 250 cm3 of solution. (1)

(v) Calculate the mass of pure sodium carbonate, Na CO , taken. (2)

2 3

(vi) Calculate the percentage purity of the sample of sodium carbonate. (1)
(Total 12 marks)

3. You are provided with the following apparatus and materials.

• A burette ready to use filled with a solution of aqueous sodium hydroxide.

• An aqueous solution of 0.0500 mol dm-3 ethanedioic acid.

• Phenolphthalein indicator.

• Access to the full range of laboratory volumetric apparatus.

(a) Describe how you would carry out titrations to find the volume of sodium hydroxide that reacts with 25.0 cm 3 of the aqueous
ethanedioic acid. In your answer you must include how you would detect the end point and what you would do to obtain a
reliable result. You do not need to include any details of calculations you may carry out on your results. (6)

(b) The reaction involved in the titration is (COOH)2(aq) + 2NaOH(aq) → (COONa)2(aq) + 2H2O(l)

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25.0 cm of the aqueous 0.05 mol dm-3 ethanedioic acid required 25.5 cm3 of the aqueous sodium hydroxide for neutralisation.
 AS Edexcel – Unit 2.7 – The
Periodic Table: Groups 2 & 7 – Volumetric Analysis – Questions
(i) Calculate the amount (moles) of ethanedioic acid in 25.0 cm3 of the solution. (1)

(ii) Calculate the amount (moles) of sodium hydroxide in 25.50 cm3 of the solution. (1)

(iii) Calculate the concentration of the sodium hydroxide solution in mol dm-3. (1)

(c) Calculate the mass of hydrated ethanedioic acid, (COOH)2.2H2O, needed to make up 200 cm3 of aqueous 0.0500 mol dm-3
solution. Give your answer to three significant figures. (3)

(d) When making up the solution of ethanedioic acid a student, by mistake, uses a 200 cm3 instead of a 250 cm3 volumetric flask.
The student dissolves the mass of ethanedioic acid crystals calculated to make up 250 cm 3.

Explain what effect this would have on the student's volume of sodium hydroxide solution used in the titration.
[No calculation is required in your answer.] (2)
(Total 14 marks)