What neutralizes vinegar?
Quick Answer
Vinegar is a solution of acetic acid, which is a weak acid, and can be neutralized by adding a strong base, such as sodium hydroxide. In such a neutralization reaction, the pH of the resulting solution is greater than 7, unlike in strong acid and strong base reactions where the pH is close to 7. Acetic acid cannot be completely neutralized by a weak base, such as ammonia.
Continue Reading
Full Answer
The titration method in chemistry is used to determine the equivalence point or point of neutralization in an acid-base reaction. To know when enough base has been added to completely react with the acid, an indicator, phenolphthalein, is added to the acid before titration. Phenolphthalein is colorless in this acidic solution but turns pink when the acid is neutralized at the equivalence point. Sometimes a pH meter is used to indicate when the pH value of the neutralized acid-base is reached.
This method is used to determine the acetic acid concentration of a sample vinegar and to determine whether the vinegar complies with the federal requirement of 4 g of acetic acid per 100 ml of vinegar. By using a known volume of the vinegar and titrating it with a known concentration and volume of a base, the unknown concentration of the acetic acid can be computed.
Learn more about Acids & BasesRelated Questions
-
Q:
What is the difference between a strong acid and a weak acid?
A: A strong acid is one that is 100 percent ionized in a solution, and a weak acid is one that doesn't ionize fully when dissolved in water. Sulfuric acid is ... Full Answer >Filed Under: -
Q:
How do you neutralize sulfuric acid?
A: Sulfuric acid is neutralized by a strong base, such as sodium hydroxide or ammonium sulfate. According to Digital Analysis Corporation, other commonly used... Full Answer >Filed Under: -
Q:
What is the percentage of acetic acid in vinegar?
A: In general, manufacturers dilute the acetic acid in vinegar to the 5 percent to 10 percent level. The amount varies based on the dilution by the manufactur... Full Answer >Filed Under: -
Q:
What is the pH of acetic acid?
A: The pH value for acetic acid depends on its molar concentration in an aqueous solution. Acetic acid with a molar concentration of 0.9 or approximately 1.0 ... Full Answer >Filed Under:
