Calculating HCl Concentration in Solution

In summary, calculating the concentration of hydrochloric acid (HCl) in a solution involves determining the amount of solute (HCl) in a specific volume of solvent (water). This can be achieved using the formula: concentration (C) = moles of solute / volume of solution in liters. To find the moles of HCl, one can use the mass of HCl and its molar mass. Additionally, titration methods can be employed, where a known concentration of a base is used to neutralize the acid, allowing for the determination of the HCl concentration based on the volume of base required for neutralization.
  • #1
Skw
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Homework Statement
We add 2.7 L of HCl 37% w/w into 97.3L of pure water.
What is the HCl concentration of my final solution in % w/w ?
Relevant Equations
The density of HCl 37% w/w is 1.18 kg/L.
1% or 1.18 % (w/w) ?
 
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  • #2
Must be some lingo issue, but what is "w/w"?
 
  • #3
w/w means by weight/weight
 
  • #4
How does your textbook define concentration? Units are also a hint.
 
  • #5
No definition
 
  • #6
I suspect they refer to https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Concentration mass concentration, which is measured in SI (typically as) grams of substance (in this case HCl) per liter of solution.
How can you find the mass of HCl? What about the quantity of solution?
 
  • #8
So you think you're looking for molarity? (nr of moles of HCl per l) Anyway, start showing some calculations, please.
 
  • #9
2.7L in 97.3L corresponds to a dilution of 1/37 v/v (volume/volume)
To prepare a 1% w/w solution : We need 1/37 kg = 0.027 kg
so with a density of 1.18 kg/L: 0.027/1.18=2.3% v/v
For a 1% w/w HCl solution we need to dilute the stock 2.3% v/v.

However, it was diluted 2.7%.
The final solution is therefore 1.18% HCl w/w.
 
  • #10
Skw said:
The final solution is therefore 1.18% HCl w/w.

That is the correct answer, but to be honest I have troubles following your calculations.

To prepare a 1% w/w solution : We need 1/37 kg = 0.027 kg

You left out so much information it doesn't make sense. Not only I have no idea 0.027 kg of what, but also I am perfectly sure you can prepare 1%w/w solution starting with 1 kg (no matter whether it is mass of just HCl or the solution). So apparently there are some unstated assumptions here, and I not a remote mind reader to know what they are :frown:

Besides, I am not convinced what you did is in general a correct approach. Using %v/v is a potential problem, as volumes are not additive.

The simplest correct approach is to calculate separately mass of the HCl and mass of solvent in both mixed volumes, sum them up and use these numbers to calculate final %w/w concentration. Masses are additive, so you don't have to worry about contraction.
 
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  • #11
Ok thank you !

Sorry my calculation wasn’t clear, I first reasoned as if it would be 37% v/v and I thought the 1% was the good answer, but then I realised it was w/w so that the good answer was 1.18%.

As you suggested, a simpler calculation could be the following:

2.7L at 1.18 kg/L = 2.7*1.18 = 3.186 kg
In this total weight, 37% is HCl: 3.186*0.37 = 1.1788 kg of HCl
In the total final solution, the weight is: 97.3 kg + 3.186 = 100.49 kg
So in the solution there is 1.178 kg HCl / 100.49 kg total = 0.0118 = 1.18% w/w
 
  • #12
I get 1.17% to 3 sig figs.
 
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  • #13
mjc123 said:
I get 1.17% to 3 sig figs.

Yep. Missed that as I got the result from the mixing calculator which for HCL solutions uses density tables for 20°C, so 0.9982 g/mL, and the result listed was 1.1787:

1707987178270.png


But technically the correct answer is 1.2% (2.7L at 37%, so two significant digits).
 
  • #14
Skw said:
Homework Statement: We add 2.7 L of HCl 37% w/w into 97.3L of pure water.
What is the HCl concentration of my final solution in % w/w ?
Relevant Equations: The density of HCl 37% w/w is 1.18 kg/L.

1% or 1.18 % (w/w) ?
I suggest look in reference book for density or specific gravity for 37% w/w HCl.
----OOHHHHH, good! You found something....

...and I am obviously very late finding this topic.
 

FAQ: Calculating HCl Concentration in Solution

How do you calculate the concentration of HCl in a solution?

To calculate the concentration of HCl in a solution, you can use the formula: Concentration (M) = moles of solute / liters of solution. First, determine the number of moles of HCl by dividing the mass of HCl by its molar mass (36.46 g/mol). Then, divide the number of moles by the volume of the solution in liters.

What is the molarity of a solution if you dissolve 5 grams of HCl in 1 liter of water?

First, calculate the number of moles of HCl: 5 grams / 36.46 g/mol = 0.1372 moles. Then, divide the moles by the volume of the solution in liters: 0.1372 moles / 1 liter = 0.1372 M. Therefore, the molarity of the solution is 0.1372 M.

How do you prepare a 0.1 M HCl solution from a concentrated stock solution?

To prepare a 0.1 M HCl solution from a concentrated stock solution, use the dilution formula: M1V1 = M2V2. Here, M1 is the concentration of the stock solution, V1 is the volume of the stock solution needed, M2 is the desired concentration (0.1 M), and V2 is the final volume of the diluted solution. Solve for V1 to determine how much of the stock solution to use and then dilute it to the final volume with distilled water.

What is the concentration of HCl if the pH of the solution is 2?

The concentration of HCl can be determined from the pH using the formula: [H+] = 10^(-pH). For a pH of 2, [H+] = 10^(-2) = 0.01 M. Since HCl is a strong acid and dissociates completely, the concentration of H+ ions is equal to the concentration of HCl. Therefore, the concentration of HCl is 0.01 M.

How can you determine the concentration of HCl in a solution using titration?

To determine the concentration of HCl using titration, you can titrate the HCl solution with a standard solution of a strong base, such as NaOH. Measure the volume of NaOH solution needed to neutralize a known volume of HCl solution. Use the titration formula: M1V1 = M2V2, where M1 is the molarity of HCl, V1 is the volume of HCl, M2 is the mol

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