Results For standard solutions:

Sample ID STD1 STD2 STD3 STD4 STD5

Concentration (ppm) 0.00 5.00 10.00 15.00 20.00

ABS -0.0001 0.1326 0.2687 0.3988 0.5265

The graph obtained (Calibration Curve):

0.6 0.5 0.4 ABS 0.3 0.2 0.1 0 0 -0.1 Concentration 5 10 15 20 25 R = 0.9999

 For the sample pH Sample pH pH 1 pH 2 pH 3 pH 4 pH 5 Concentration (ppm) 55.12 54.83 54.58 13.27 5.94 ABS 1.4559C 1.4484C 1.4416C 0.3515 0.1581

Sample Calculations:

Ca + 2Cl

CaCl2

Calculation for preparation of 100mL 50ppm of Calcium stock solution: Molecular weight Calcium, Ca: Molecular weight of CaCl2.2H2O: Mass needed to prepare stock solution: =27.2% (the percentage of Ca in CaCl2.2H2O) 40g/mol 147g/mol

Total mass of CaCl2.2H20 to obtain 10mg of Ca:

*0.037g of CaCl2.2H2O needed to prepare the stock solution Calculation for preparation of series of standard solution: For 5ppm standard solution: M1V1 = M2V2

50(100) = 5(V2) V2 = 2.5mL For 10ppm standard solution: M1V1 = M2V2 50(100) = 10(V2) V2 = 5mL For 15ppm standard solution: M1V1 = M2V2 50(100) = 15(V2) V2 = 7.5mL For 20ppm standard solution: M1V1 = M2V2 50(100) = 20(V2) V2 = 10mL Calculation for the amount of the calcium per tablet: o Optimum pH is at pH 1, with concentration of 55.12ppm o Mass of Ca present:

55.12ppm =

Discussion

Experiment was conducted with the objectives of determining the calcium content present in the commercial tablet by using the AAS (Atomic Absorption Spectrometer) and to evaluate the validity of the claims on the commercial tablet box on how much is the calcium content in it. Also, this experiment was conducted in order to evaluate the effects of pH on the solubility of the calcium tablets and the efficiency of digestion in human body. Experiment started by preparing a 100mL of 50ppm stock solution. After performing all related calculations, it was found that 0.037g of CaCl is required to prepare the stock solution. Then, a series of 5, 10, 15, and 20ppm of standard solution are prepared by diluting the respective amount of the stock solution needed (as shown on page __ ). Samples ranging from pH1 to pH5 are also prepared in each tube. Samples are then tested inside the AAS and the data obtained is as shown on page __. Theoretically, the AAS analysis uses the absorption of light in order to measure the concentration of gas-phase atoms. The AAS is first used on the series of standard solutions prepared earlier. Since the solutions are all in the form of liquid, the solutions will be vaporized first in a flame or the graphite furnace. The atoms will then absorb the ultraviolet or visible light and make transitions to higher electronic energy levels. The concentrations are then determined from the amount of absorption. A working curve(calibration curve) is obtained by measuring the signal from the series of the standard solutions of known concentration. This curve is then used in determining the concentration of the unknown samples(sample pH1 to pH5). Based on the data obtained, for the sample pH1, pH2, pH3, pH4, and pH5, the absorbance are found to be 1.4559C, 1.4484C, 1.4416C, 0.3515, and 0.1581 respectively. The letter C indicates that the value is obtained by extrapolation since it falls outside of the range of the graph. Meanwhile, their concentrations which correspond to the absorbance value are found to be 55.12, 54.83, 54.58, 13.27, and 5.94 respectively. The highest concentration of Ca is found to be in sample pH1. This means that pH1 is the optimum pH level in dissolving the Ca tablet. Theoretically, in the human digestive system, the enzymes that help in digesting the food in the stomach work best at a lower pH around 2. (link: http://www.livestrong.com/article/454197-effectof-ph-on-digestion/). This means that this tablet is safe to be consumed in humans body. The humans digestive system would be able to dissolve the tablet.

Since the highest concentration of the five samples are at pH1; which is 55.12ppm, the calculation for the weight of the calcium is then made based on this value. As calculated on page __, the amount of the calcium in each tablet is found to be 55.12mg. This value is not the same as what is claimed on the commercial tablet box which is 200mg of calcium per tablet. The deviation in the results obtained might be due to the errors that we might have encountered during the conduction of the experiment. Among the possible errors is the apparatus itself. The flask being used might be contaminated with the chemicals from the previous experiment (due to improper cleaning of the apparatus), the leftover chemical might react with our solutions. Thus, an unwanted reaction might have happened and hence altering the results obtained. Other than that, deviation in the results might also be due to the parallax error when taking the volume of stock solution needed (using pipette) during the preparation of the series of standard solution. The amount of solution taken from the stock solution has to be exactly the same as the amount calculated for each standard solution. Thus, with all the results obtained, this experiment could be concluded as a success since all the objectives of the experiment are achieved.