Scientific Discussion and ExplanationOur first goal in Project 7 was to determine what our three unknown solutions were. We did this through a series of tests. Our first test was a series of anion tests. We performed anion tests to determine if any of the following anions were present in our solution: chloride, sulfate, nitrate, carbonate, and acetate. Our first solution, labeled B, only the chloride test came back positive. The next solution, C, tested positive for acetate, as did our last solution, E. We then performed anion tests. These included a flame test, as well as an ammonium test. For the flame test, certain cations give the flames different colors. We therefore used this knowledge to test which cations might be present in our solutions. During this test, the only solution that seemed to give the flame any color was solution C, which made the flame bright orange, indicating that the sodium ion was present. This led us to the conclusion that solution C was sodium acetate. We then performed an ammonium test, which involved mixing our solutions with sodium hydroxide and smelling the resulting solution for an ammonia odor. Solution B was identified as having an ammonia odor, indicating the presence of the ammonium cation. From there, we identified solution B as ammonium chloride. We then checked the pH of the three solutions, first using litmus paper. Solution C was slightly basic, solutions E and B were both acidic, with a pH around 4. Since we knew solution E contained acetate, was acidic, and did not change any color to the flame, we determined that it was acetic acid, because none of the ions in acetic acid would give a flame any color. Once we identified our substances, we began our titrations. This... middle of paper ...... for the original titration, shown in table 5. This could be due to the use of a wrong indicator, or the titration not being stopped exactly when the color changed. The following week was dedicated to titrating household products. For this we used two sodas, Cheerwine and Diet Coke, as well as dish soap. Dish soap, like many other household cleaning products, has buffering properties. A buffer acts as a pH stabilizer. It is a combination of a weak acid and its conjugate base, or a weak base combined with its conjugate acid. If a strong acid ion is added, the buffer simply replaces it with a weak acid ion, causing little change in the pH of the solution. Household cleaning products usually contain some form of pad because otherwise they will burn the skin when touched. As expected, both sodas were originally acidic, while the soap was basic.