The concentration of acetic acid in vinegar

Prelaboratory question #1 and 2

This one is a tough one but if you remember that density of a solution can be considered a concentration and to calculate volumes of acetic acid and water needed to make a total volume of 1.000 L you can use the dilution equation but use density instead of molarities. Part b then asks you to calculate the density of the solution in mol/g.

Densities

Step 1 calculate volume of acetic acid and water in the solution (note that I converted 1.0492 g/mL to 1049.2 g/L)

(1049.2g/L)(a) = (6.0053 g/L)(1.00L)

Step 2 subtract total volume of solution from volume of acetic acid needed.

1.000L - a L of acetic acid = b L of water needed. Convert a and b into mL.

Step 3 calculate the mass of acetic acid and water in the solution then add the masses for a total mass of solution

a mL x 1.0492g/mL = c g acetic acid

b mL x 0.9969g/mL = d g of water

c + d = e g total mass of solution

Step 4 calculate the concentration of the solution in mole per gram

Conc = 0.100 mol / e g total mass of solution = f mol/g of solution