Question

Potatoes can be peeled commercially by soaking them in a 3-M to 6-M solution of sodium hydroxide, then removing the loosened skins by spraying them with water. Does a sodium hydroxide solution have a suitable concentration if titration of 12.00 mL of the solution requires 30.6 mL of 1.65 M HCl to reach the end point?

a) Yes, suitable concentration.
b) No, concentration too low.
c) No, concentration too high.
d) Need more information.

Answer 1

The concentration of the sodium hydroxide solution is too high.

Step-by-step explanation:

To determine if the sodium hydroxide solution has a suitable concentration, we can use the information given in the question. The question states that 12.00 mL of the solution requires 30.6 mL of 1.65 M HCl to reach the end point in a titration.

Using the equation for the reaction between sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and hydrochloric acid (HCl), NaOH + HCl → NaCl + H2O, we can calculate the moles of NaOH and HCl involved in the reaction.

By comparing the moles of NaOH and HCl, we can determine if the concentration of the sodium hydroxide solution is suitable. Based on the given information, the concentration of the sodium hydroxide solution is not suitable. Therefore, the answer is c) No, concentration too high.