How do you determine the concentration of ethanoic acid in vinegar by means of titration?

Answer 1

1. Take a sample of the vinegar of known volume (V_a) in a conical flask
2. Add your favourite acid/base indicator or prepare a pH meter for use
3. Using a burette add a small quantity of a basic solution of known concentration (C_b)
4. Mix the resulting solution
5. Observe the indicator or use the meter to check the pH
6. If the indicator or pH meter shows a "neutral pH" then continue to '7', otherwise go back to step '3'
7. From the total volume of basic solution added calculate the concentration of the acid using the relationship C_a*V_a = C_b*V_b that applies at the equivalence point
8. Clean up your work area

Repeat all of the above with smaller additions of basic solution (once near to the previously established equivalence point) to increase accuracy. Accuracy can be calculated using the expression that applies at the equivalence point.

Answer 2

To determine the concentration of ethanoic acid in vinegar by titration, first, add a known volume of vinegar to a flask and titrate it with a standardized solution of a strong base, like sodium hydroxide, until neutralization is reached. The endpoint is detected using an indicator, like phenolphthalein. From the volume of the base used and the balanced chemical equation for the reaction, you can calculate the concentration of ethanoic acid in the vinegar sample.