

An Overview of Class 11 Chemistry The Process Used For The Preparation Of Sodium Carbonate Experiment
Standard liquid solutions, like acids, are readily available and straightforward to prepare. One can create standard solids solutions by measuring a solid mass and dissolving it into a volumetric flask with a known volume of solution. Sodium carbonate (Na2CO3) is practically insoluble in almost saturated sodium hydroxide.
Following the saturation, NaOH has equilibrated for several days, the insoluble Na2CO3 might sink to the bottom of the vessel. The supernatant can be carefully removed to get a diluted NaOH solution clear of Na2CO3. Since dissolved CO2 can create a titration error, the water utilized to prepare the NaOH standard solution should indeed be heated to eliminate it. The preparation of Na2CO3 is explained below.
Table of Content
Aim
Procedure
Result
Aim
To prepare the standard solution of sodium carbonate.
Apparatus Required
250 mL beaker
250 mL Volumetric flask
Glass rod
Funnel
Pipette
Watch glass
Wash bottle
Chemical balance
Weight box
Theory
A standard solution is one whose concentrations are precisely known. Na2CO3 is a primary standard. Sodium carbonate molar mass is 106. To prepare the standard solution of sodium carbonate,
Molarity=
W is the sodium carbonate mass in grams.
M is the sodium carbonate molar mass in grams.
V is the volume of the solution, litres.
Procedure
Preparation of Sodium Carbonate Solution
Wash the watch glass using distilled water and dry it. Weigh the dry watch glass and record the reading.
Make a precise weight measurement of 2.650 g of Na2CO3 on the watch glass and record the weight.
Using a funnel, delicately and cautiously transfer the Na2CO3 from the watch glass to a dry, clean 250mL beaker. To transfer the particles stuck to the watch glass into the funnel, rinse the watch glass using distilled water. Not more than 50mL of distilled water should be used for this purpose.
Until the rigid sodium carbonate dissolves, stir the solution in the beaker using a glass rod.
Transfer the solution to the volumetric flask using a glass rod and funnel.
Using a wash bottle, gently pour sufficient distilled water into the flask to fill it to just beneath the mark that has been carved on it.
When the lower layer of the meniscus almost reaches the line on the flask, add the final few millilitres of distilled water drop-wise using a pipette.
Put a stopper on the volumetric flask and give it a little shake to evenly distribute the solution. Mark it as Na2CO3 solution.
Observations
Weight of the watch glass | W1 |
Weight of Na2CO3 | 2.650 g |
Weight of watch glass + Na2CO3 | W1 + 2.650 g |
The volume of the distilled water | 250mL |
Result
The result of the chemistry experiment on the preparation of sodium carbonate solution verified that: -
A 250 mL or standard sodium carbonate solution has been successfully prepared.
Precautions
Handle chemicals and apparatus with caution.
Every apparatus should be rinsed with distilled water, and dried before starting the experiment.
The solution preparation should be done while wearing an apron.
Avoid spilling the chemicals on the weighing balance during weighing.
To make the solution uniform, it must be thoroughly shaken.
When preparing the solution, the solvent must indeed be added so that its lower meniscus touches the flask's mark.
After the completion of the experiment, wash your hands thoroughly.
Lab Manual Questions
1. Why is it necessary to close the volumetric flask once the solution is prepared?
Ans: The solute's ability to interact with the moisture of the oxygen or absorb carbon dioxide or some additional pollutant in the air is dependent on the solute.
2. Why should the funnel and beaker be rinsed while preparing the solution?
Ans: Rinsing prevents any dissolved solute from being lost by ensuring that all particles enter the volumetric flask from the remaining solution in the funnel and the beaker.
3. What is the aim of transferring solutions employing glass rods?
Ans: Solutions are poured using glass rods to prevent spillage. A glass rod placed against a beaker's pouring edge enables the solution to run down the glass rod and into the collecting vessel, instead of splashing beyond the lip.
4. Why doesn't the pipette blow out the final drop?
Ans: Due to surface tension, a tiny drop of liquid remains in the pipette after the last drop is added, preventing the last drop from being blown out. Furthermore, the design of pipettes ensures that this drop won't have an impact on the empirical value.
Viva Questions
1. Define molarity.
Ans: The number of moles of a solute per litre of a solution is known as molarity. Another term for molarity is the molar concentration of a solution.
2. What is the formula to calculate the molarity of sodium carbonate?
Ans: Molarity=.
3. How does sodium carbonate act?
Ans: Antacid.
4. What is sodium carbonate anhydrous?
Ans: Anhydrous sodium carbonate means Na2CO3 without water molecules.
5. Mention two uses of sodium carbonate.
Ans: Sodium carbonate is used in the manufacturing of soap, and as a pH modifier.
9. Calculate the amount of anhydrous Na2CO3 for the 250mL of solution.
Ans: Mass of sodium carbonate in gram (W) = 250
The molecular weight of sodium carbonate in grams (M) = 106
The volume of solution in litres
Molarity =
Hence, the amount of anhydrous Na2CO3 = .
10. Mention the sodium carbonate experiment preparation process.
Ans: Sodium carbonate experiment can be prepared using electrolytic, dual process, etc.
11. What is the general formula of hydrated sodium carbonate?
Ans: Na2CO3.nH2O
12. What compounds have resulted from the dissolution of sodium carbonate in water?
Ans: Carbonic acid and sodium hydroxide (NaOH).
13. Why can't a standard NaOH solution be made?
Ans: NaOH cannot be weighed as it absorbs moisture, thus it prevents the direct preparation of its standard solution.
Practical-Based Questions
What is the common name of sodium carbonate?
Table salt
Washing soda
Lime soda
Pearl ash
Ans: The common name of sodium carbonate is washing soda.
Name the process used for the preparation of sodium carbonate.
Solvay
Haber
Contact
None of the three options
Ans: The Solvay process is used for the preparation of sodium carbonate.
What is the molecular mass of washing soda in this experiment?
1.059 g
2.650 g
1.350 g
None of the three options
Ans: The molecular mass of washing soda in this experiment is 2.650 g.
What type of compound is sodium carbonate?
Strong base
Weak base
Strong acid
Weak acid
Ans: Sodium carbonate is a strong base.
What type of instrument is used in this experiment to add the last drop to avoid the extra drops in the solution while transferring the solution to a volumetric flask?
Dropper
Wash bottle
Pipette
None of the above three option
Ans: Pipette is used to avoid extra drops during solution preparation
What is the pH of Sodium carbonate?
8
9
10
11
Ans: The pH of sodium carbonate is 11.
Why is sodium carbonate recommended for handling carefully during the experiment?
Since it is highly unstable
Since it is costly
Since it is highly corrosive
None of the three options
Ans: Sodium carbonate is recommended to handle carefully during the experiment since it is highly corrosive.
What kind of substance is NaOH?
Hydroscopic
Hygroscopic
Efflorescent
None of the above
Ans: NaOH is a hygroscopic substance.
How does distilled water act in chemical laboratories?
Indicator
Solvent
Universal solvent
None of the three options
Ans: Distilled water acts as a universal solvent in chemical laboratories.
How does sodium carbonate act towards heat?
Stable
Unstable
Vigorous
None of the three options
Ans: Sodium carbonate is stable towards heat.
Conclusion
This chemistry experiment on the preparation of sodium carbonate solution infers that the sodium carbonate is also known as washing soda. Na2CO3 is the chemical formula for sodium carbonate. The concentration of the standard solution can be determined with high accuracy. It is prepared to utilize only pure chemicals, and standardization is used to determine the precise concentration. A primary standard is a chemical that is utilized to standardize an extremely pure solution. While making the sodium carbonate solution, a total of 50 ml of distilled water should not be utilized.
FAQs on Class 11 Chemistry The Process Used For The Preparation Of Sodium Carbonate Experiment
1. How do you prepare 250 mL of an M/10 standard solution of sodium carbonate as per the CBSE Class 11 curriculum for the 2025-26 session?
To prepare 250 mL of M/10 (or 0.1 M) sodium carbonate solution, you must follow these crucial steps:
- Calculation: First, calculate the mass of anhydrous sodium carbonate (Na₂CO₃) required. The molar mass of Na₂CO₃ is 106 g/mol. For 250 mL of 0.1 M solution, you need 2.65 grams.
- Weighing: Accurately weigh exactly 2.65 g of pure, anhydrous sodium carbonate using a digital weighing balance.
- Dissolving: Transfer the weighed sodium carbonate into a clean beaker and dissolve it in a small amount of distilled water.
- Transferring: Carefully transfer the entire solution into a 250 mL volumetric flask using a funnel. Rinse the beaker with distilled water and add the rinsings to the flask to ensure no solute is lost.
- Dilution: Add distilled water to the volumetric flask until the bottom of the meniscus touches the calibration mark on the neck of the flask.
- Mixing: Stopper the flask and invert it several times to ensure the solution is homogeneous.
2. What is the exact calculation for the mass of sodium carbonate needed to prepare a 250 mL M/10 solution? This is a frequently asked question in exams.
The calculation is a critical step and carries marks. You use the molarity formula:
Molarity (M) = (Weight of Solute in g / Molar Mass of Solute) × (1000 / Volume of Solution in mL)
Here:
- Molarity required = M/10 = 0.1 M
- Molar Mass of Na₂CO₃ = 2(23) + 12 + 3(16) = 106 g/mol
- Volume of Solution = 250 mL
Rearranging the formula to find the Weight of Solute (W):
W = (Molarity × Molar Mass × Volume) / 1000
W = (0.1 × 106 × 250) / 1000 = 2650 / 1000 = 2.65 grams.
Therefore, you must weigh exactly 2.65 g of anhydrous sodium carbonate.
3. Why is anhydrous sodium carbonate considered a primary standard for titration experiments in Class 11?
Anhydrous sodium carbonate is an excellent primary standard because it meets several important criteria required for preparing a standard solution with a precisely known concentration. These properties make it highly reliable for exams:
- It is available in a highly pure state.
- It is not hygroscopic, meaning it does not absorb moisture from the air, so its weight remains stable.
- It has a high molar mass (106 g/mol), which minimises weighing errors.
- It is highly soluble in water and chemically stable.
4. What are the most important precautions a student must take when preparing a standard solution of sodium carbonate in the lab?
For safety and accuracy, observing the following precautions is essential and often asked in viva-voce:
- Always wear safety goggles and a lab coat.
- Use only distilled water for preparing the solution to avoid impurities.
- Weigh the sodium carbonate accurately using a clean watch glass and a sensitive digital balance.
- Ensure all glassware, especially the volumetric flask, is thoroughly washed and clean.
- When making the final volume, add the last few drops of water with a dropper to avoid overshooting the calibration mark.
- Handle the chemicals carefully as sodium carbonate can be a mild irritant.
5. How does the concept of Normality apply to an M/10 Sodium Carbonate solution? What would its normality be?
This is a higher-order thinking question. The relationship between Molarity (M) and Normality (N) is given by: Normality = Molarity × n-factor.
For an acid-base reaction, the n-factor of a base is its acidity, which is the number of replaceable hydroxide ions for most bases, or for a salt like Na₂CO₃, it is the total positive charge of the cations. Sodium carbonate (Na₂CO₃) dissociates into 2Na⁺ and CO₃²⁻. The total positive charge is 2. Therefore, its n-factor is 2.
For an M/10 (0.1 M) solution:
Normality = 0.1 M × 2 = 0.2 N.
So, an M/10 solution of sodium carbonate is also an N/5 solution.
6. Why is it critically important to use a volumetric flask instead of a beaker or a conical flask to prepare a standard solution?
Using a volumetric flask is non-negotiable for preparing a standard solution because of accuracy. The key difference, which is important for exam purposes, is:
- Volumetric flasks are specifically calibrated to contain a very precise and accurate volume of liquid (e.g., 250.0 mL) at a specific temperature. The narrow neck has a single calibration mark for this purpose.
- Beakers and conical flasks have approximate volume markings (e.g., 50, 100, 150 mL). They are designed for mixing and reacting, not for accurate measurement. Using them would lead to an error in the final volume and thus an incorrect concentration of the standard solution.
7. What are some important industrial and laboratory uses of sodium carbonate that are relevant for a Class 11 student to know?
Knowing the applications of a chemical is expected in CBSE practical exams. Important uses of sodium carbonate (also known as washing soda) include:
- As a cleansing agent and for softening hard water.
- In the manufacturing of glass, soap, and paper.
- As a key laboratory reagent in qualitative analysis and acid-base titrations.
- In the manufacturing of other sodium compounds like borax.











