Phosphoric Acid Lab

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Goals: For this laboratory, the main objective was to determine the phosphate content of three different colas and compare the three. To start, the first goal was to learn and become better educated on the function of the Spec-20. The next goal was to determine the relationship between color and wavelength of absorbance by using the Spec-20. The group was to measure each color at different wavelengths, and determine the absorbance rate at each level. The next goal was to determine the relationship between absorbance and concentration by obtaining the analytical wavelength, and creating a calibration curve. Finally, the last goal to finish the project was to determine the amount of phosphoric acid in the cola beverages. The phosphoric acid content …show more content…

Before any of the dilutions could be completed with the phosphate, it had to be diluted from .0001 Molarity, to a .0002 Molarity. The overall process was done by mixing the phosphate solution with an acid called AVM, and then measuring the percent transmittance. The percent transmittance for these dilutions had to be between 15% and 85% as well. In order to dilute the phosphate concentration, the first step was to use a volumetric flask to properly dilute the solution at a 3:1 ratio. The phosphate solution was diluted with water, by adding 75% of the phosphate, and 25% water, creating the 3:1 ratio. After diluting the phosphate solution, the AVM was added to the solution at a 2:1 ratio. There would be twice as much of the phosphate solution than the AVM. The reason the AVM had to be added to the solution is because the phosphate solution is colorless, so in order for it to be measured in the Spec-20, there would need to be some sort of color in the solution. The AVM provided the phosphate solution with a yellowish tint. Next, the group used the same steps to dilute the already diluted phosphate solution. After creating the second dilution, which gave the phosphate a .00015 molarity, it was recognized by the instructor that the Spec-20 provided had not been properly calibrated. Due to the improper calibration of the Spec-20 and a restraint for time the dilutions had to stop there. Because the Spec-20 had not been properly calibrated, it caused the data for week two to be fairly skewed. In order to obtain proper data, the instructor supplied reference data to be used for the majority of week two. The main issue faced during the second week of lab was having trouble making the dilutions properly. However, it was not noted until later that the reason the dilutions weren’t creating proper readings in the Spec-20 is because it had not been calibrated. The

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