The Determination of the Ideal Gas Law Constant R
Donesha Cooper
Ellie Murray
CHEM 111
Experiment #4 and 5
October 4, 2024
Burman University
Dr. Peter Otieno
Objective:
The objective of this experiment is to use the technique of titration to standardize a
potassium permanganate solution and use that standardized solution to determine the
concentration of an unknown oxalic acid solution.
Background:
An oxidation-reduction (redox) reaction is a type of chemical reaction that involves a
transfer of electrons between two species. A redox reaction is any chemical reaction in
which the oxidation number of a molecule, atom, or ion changes by gaining or losing an
electron. Oxidation is a loss of electrons (increase in oxidation). Reduction is a gain of
electrons (decrease in oxidation).
The redox reaction explored in this experiment includes oxalic acid and potassium
permanganate. The chemical equation is as follows:
2KMnO4 (aq) + 5H2C2O4 (aq) + 3H2SO4 (aq) → 10 CO2 (g) + 2MnSO4 (aq) + K2SO4 (aq)
+ 8H2O (l)
As a redox (oxidation-reduction) reaction it can be split into two different equations.
5H2C2O4 (aq) → 10 CO2 (g) + 10 H1+ (aq) + 10 e- (oxidation)
2 MnO4 1- (aq) + 16 H1+ (aq) + 10 e- → 2Mn2+ (aq) + 8H2O (l) (reduction)
A standard solution is a solution containing a precisely known concentration of an
element or a substance prepared from a primary standard (a compound which is stable, of
high purity, highly soluble in water and of a high molar mass to allow for accurate
weighing) that is weighed accurately and made up to a fixed volume.
In this experiment a standard solution of oxalic acid is prepared and use to standardize a
potassium permanganate solution. Once standardized the potassium permanganate
solution will be used to determine the concentration of an unknown oxalic acid solution.
A titration is a technique where a solution of known concentration is used to determine
the concentration of an unknown solution.
Chemical Formula, Potential Hazards Special Handling Incompatibility with
Chemical Name and Health Effects Precautions other chemicals and
CAS-No conditions to avoid
Source of MSDS
(Section 2,3, 7 and 10)
H2O No hazards No special handling None
Water
7732-18-5
(accessed Sep. 16, 2019)
Fisher Scientific
H2SO4 Causes eye and skin Do not use with metal Excess heat, exposure
Sulfuric acid burns. Causes spatula or other metal to moist air or water
7664-93-9 digestive and items Use great caution in
(accessed Sep. 16, 2019) respiratory tract burns. Minimize dust mixing with water due
Fisher Scientific May be fatal if mist generation and to heat evolution that
inhaled accumulation. causes explosive
Use with adequate spattering. Always add
ventilation. the acid to water, never
the reverse.
Metals, oxidizing
agents, reducing
agents, bases,
acrylonitrile, chlorates,
finely powdered
metals, nitrates,
perchlorates,
permanganates,
epichlorohydrin,
aniline, carbides,
fulminates, picrates,
organic materials,
flammable liquids.
Causes burns by all Wash thoroughly after Strong oxidizing
exposure routes. handling. Minimize agents, mercury,
Harmful if swallowed, dust generation and hypochlorite, silver,
C2H2O4 inhaled, or absorbed accumulation. Discard strong alkalies,
Oxalic acid through the skin. contaminated shoes. chlorites, furfuryl
144-62-7 Possible risk of harm Use only with adequate alcohol.
to the unborn child. ventilation.
May cause kidney
damage.
KMnO4 Causes severe eye and Wash thoroughly after Strong reducing agents,
Potassium permanganate skin irritation with handling. Use with organic materials,
7722-64-7 possible burns. May be adequate ventilation. arsenites, bromides,
harmful if swallowed. Minimize dust iodides, hydrochloric
May cause severe generation and acid, charcoal,
respiratory tract accumulation. Do not mercurous salts,
irritation with possible breathe dust. Do not hypophosphites,
burns. May cause breathe spray or mist. sulfites, alcohols,
severe digestive tract ferrous salts, strong
irritation with possible acids, some metals,
burns. formaldehyde, metal
powders, ethylene
glycol, peroxides,
combustible organics.
Techniques:
Mass measurement
An analytical balance, accurate to 0.001 g and has a glass weigh chamber that prevents
air currents from casing the mass readings to fluctuate, is used to weigh samples.
For most calculations the accurate mass of the sample taken must be known. Normally a
range of weight is given, and results must fall within this range.
Although the balance operates to a precision of +- 0.003 g it is still possible that the read
out scale be interpreted to +- 0.001 g
Volume measurement
Reading of the liquid level in the graduated cylinder should always be read at the lowest
pint of the meniscus. To avoid parallax error the reading must also be done at a 90 degree
angle. The cylinder should be read to 0.05 mL.
Heating samples
A hotplate was used as the heat source. The sample was placed in an evaporating dish
and heated to 4-6 as required.
Addition and subtraction
Addition and subtraction were used as a part of the calculations in this laboratory
experiment. The mass of various items used was calculated to 3 s.f.
Multiplication and division
Multiplication and subtraction were used as part of the calculations in this laboratory
experiment. The calculations were done to 2 s.f.
Titration/Endpoint
The sample to be titrated is placed in an Erlenmeyer flask. The stopcock is used to
control the rate at which the liquid in the burette is added to the receiving flask. The flask
must be continuously swirled with the dominant hand while manipulating the stopcock
with the other hand.
There is a localized transient indicator color change where a drop from the burette enters
the solution. Near the endpoint, 1 drop of titrant should be added at a time to avoid
passing he end point.
Observation
Discussion:
To begin the experiment 2.8 g of oxalic acid dihydrate was weighed out. This sample
was then dissolved in 40 mL of distilled water, in a volumetric flask. When the sample
was completely dissolved the volumetric flask was filled to the 50 mL mark. It was then
shaken to create a uniform solution. Next a 50 mL burette was rinsed with 10 mL of
potassium permanganate solution. The burette was then filled to the 50 mL mark with the
potassium permanganate solution. The oxalic acid solution (10 mL) was then added to a
125 mL Erlenmeyer flask, using a volumetric pipet, 2 mL of 6 M H2SO4 was also added
to the solution. This solution was then heated to 80®C and titrated with the potassium
permanganate solution. The titration process was repeated until two of the titrated
samples were within 2% of one another. The unknown oxalic acid solution was also
titrated.
For the first two titrations the volumes of KMnO4 solution used to reach the end point
were, 33.5 mL and 32.50 mL respectively. The average was calculated to be 32.75 mL of
KMnO4 solution. The molarity of the potassium permanganate solution was calculated to
be 0.054 M. For the 2 trails of the unknown oxalic acid solution the volumes of KMnO4
solution used to reach the end point were, 13.8 mL and 13.8 mL respectively. The
average was calculated to be 13.8 mL of KMnO4 solution. Based on these values and
using the balanced chemical equation for this reaction the molarity of the unknown oxalic
acid solution was calculated to be 1.35 M.
Conclusion:
This lab was considered to be a success. The values collected from the titration procedure
allowed for correct calculation of the molarity of the unknown oxalic acid solution.
Hence the objective was achieved.
References:
1. Weast R. C; Rumble, J. R., CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics, 84th Ed., CRC
Press: Boca Raton FL, 1984; sec-4 and sec-5 (accessed Oct 20, 2024)
2. Sulfuric acid; SDS No. AC124640000; Aqua Phoenix Scientific: Hanover, PA, Feb
13 2008.
https://fscimage.fishersci.com/msds/22350.htm (accessed Oct 20, 2024)
3. Water; SDS No. AC268300000; Aqua Phoenix Scientific: Hanover, PA, Aug. 1, 1999.
https://fscimage.fishersci.com/msds/00199.htm (accessed Oct 20, 2024)
4. Potassium permanganate; SDS No. AC196750000; Aqua Phoenix Scientific:
Hanover, PA, Feb 3, 1999.
https://fscimage.fishersci.com/msds/19520.htm (accessed Oct 20, 2024)
5. Oxalic Acid; SDS No. AC129600000; Aqua Phoenix Scientific: Hanover, PA, Dec
12, 1997.
https://fscimage.fishersci.com/msds/17361.htm (accessed Oct 20, 2024)
