HCl+NaOH→NaCl+H2O H2SO4+NaOH→2NaSO4+2H2O A student sets up a titration apparatus with 25 mL of hydrochloric acid in the flask. The student performs the titration using 0.050 M sodium hydroxide (NaOH). Next, the student wants to perform a titration using sulfuric acid (H2SO4). In three to five sentences, explain what the student needs to consider when performing the calculations to find the concentration of the two acids.

Answer 1

When the student performs the titration with sulfuric acid (H2SO4), they must consider that sulfuric acid is a diprotic acid, meaning it can donate two protons (H⁺ ions) per molecule, whereas hydrochloric acid (HCl) is monoprotic and can donate only one proton. Therefore, when calculating the concentration of H2SO4 using the volume of NaOH used in the titration, the student must account for the stoichiometry of the reaction, specifically that one mole of H2SO4 reacts with two moles of NaOH. This means that the volume of NaOH used in the titration should be doubled in stoichiometric calculations to determine the concentration of the sulfuric acid. Lastly, the student should ensure accurate measurements and proper indicator use to determine the endpoint for both titrations.