New Jersey Chemistry Olympics - 2009

Event 9: Microscale Lab

Acid - Base Titration

This event is limited to the first 24 entries

Objective

To identify the type of acid and to prepare a pH titration curve of the solution of an unknown acid utilizing small scale chemistry methods.

Materials Provided by NJIT on the Day of the Event

• 5 mL unknown acid sample (strong or weak, mono or diprotic)
• 25 mL 0.10 M sodium hydroxide solution
• 10 x 10 graph paper

Materials & Methods Brought by Team to the Competition

• Bring whatever you need to perform the titration but you must use Microscale techniques.  Teams who do not utilize recognized Microscale Techniques will be disqualified.  
• Distilled water.
• PROBES MAY NOT BE USED (ex: pH probes, ion-selective electrodes, etc.)
• Prior to starting, each team must provide the judges with two copies of a typed step-by-step procedure for performing the reaction and isolating the product and any other the methods they intend to use to address the objective of this experiment.  Once reviewed for safety, the judges will return one copy to the students for their use.  No additional written material -- in any form -- will be permitted in this event.
• Equipment may not be shared by teams whatsoever during the competition.  

What to Do?

1. Submit the step-by-step Description of the Methods to the judges.

2. Utilizing the base supplied, titrate the unknown sample of acid and determine if it is weak or strong and monoprotic or diprotic.

3. Prepare an accurate and neat titration curve.

4. Clean up and then,

5. Return the samples and vials provided to you and submit your report to the judges.

Notes:

• Bring adequate distilled/deionized water for conducting your experiments

• All samples provided must be returned prior to leaving the room

• Dispose of all pipets as instructed.

• Small scale techniques, or Microscale techniques are outlined in lab manuals available from various scientific suppliers including Flinn Scientific, Inc.  Furthermore, publications, such as the Journal of Chemical Education may serve as sources for specific Microscale techniques.

Time Limit:

• 75 minutes

Judging

• Accuracy and neatness of titration curve, 50%

• Description of methods, 20%

• Correct identification of acid type, 20%

• Time, 10%

Notes:

• In the event of a tie, the team that completes this session in the shortest period of time will win the tie.
• Teams must clean up and remove all materials that they bring to this event and return them to their own schools.  

ALL PARTICIPANTS MUST BRING GOGGLES (APPROVED) AND APRON OR LAB COAT, AND USE THEM AT ALL TIMES DURING THE COMPETITION. 

Note to Coaches:

Success in this event requires that students have a good understanding of graphing techniques.   

Event designed by Marilyn Culp, ACS-TA

Return to Main Page

Last Updated February 10, 2009