Making Solutions

Making 1 Molar (M) and 1 Normal (N) solutions from SEASTAR™’s Concentrated Products:

Note: to maintain the trace metal purity of SEASTAR™’s products these solutions must be made in conditions recommended in SEASTAR™’s Product Integrity Guidelines.

SEASTAR™'s Products Density (g/mL) Molarity (M, mol/L)* Normality (N, mol/L)* Volume (ml) required to make 1 litre of solution* Mass (g) required to make 1 litre of solution*
1M 1N 1M 1N
Nitric Acid
(67 – 70%)
1.41 16 16 64 64 90 90
Perchloric Acid
(65 – 71%)
1.67 12 12 86 86 144 144
Sulphuric Acid
(93 – 98%)
1.84 18 36 56 28 102 51
Hydrochloric Acid
(32 – 37%)
1.17 11 11 92 92 107 107
Hydrofluoric Acid
(47 – 51%)
1.18 29 29 34 34 41 41
Acetic Acid
(>99%)
1.05 18 18 57 57 86 86
Ammonia Solution
(20 – 22%)
0.92 11 11 88 88 81 81
Hydrobromic Acid
(44 – 49%)
1.5 9 9 111 111 167 167
Hydrogen Peroxide
(30 – 32%)
1.13 10 10 102 102 116 116

*Please note: if you require an accurate molarity or normality, for the product you have purchased, you will have to do the measurement. Bottles within a given lot have small assay variations. The actual lot analysis may also vary from the table above.

Normality is a concept related to molarity, usually applied to acid-base solutions and reactions. For acid-base reactions, the equivalent is the mass of acid or base that can accept or donate exactly one mole of protons (H+ ions). For Nitric Acid, HNO3 this ratio is 1:1, one H+ ion per mole of HNO3.

For Sulphuric Acid, H2SO4 this ratio is 2:1, two H+ ions per mole of H2SO4. Hence the normality of H2SO4 is twice the molarity.

SAFETY NOTES: The hydration reaction of many acids, with water, are HIGHLY EXOTHERMIC. If water is added to a concentrated acid, it can boil and splatter dangerously. One should ALWAYS SLOWLY ADD the ACID TO the WATER rather than the water to the acid. Be aware that large amounts of heat may be generated during this process.

Consult your MSDS, PRIOR TO HANDLING these materials, for proper safety apparel. Gloves, safety glasses, face shield and apron. This work should be done in a properly functioning fume hood. Check you MSDS section on Exposure control and Personal Protection (Engineering Controls).


Sample calculation: to make a 1 Molar Solution of Nitric Acid, from SEASTAR™’s Nitric Acid (67 – 70% w/w)

SEASTAR™'s Products Density (g/mL) Molarity (M, mol/L)* Normality (N, mol/L)* Volume (ml) required to make 1 litre of solution* Mass (g) required to make 1 litre of solution*
1M 1N 1M 1N
Nitric Acid
(67 – 70%)
1.41 16 16 64 64 90 90

Conversion factors: 1000mL = 1L

Calculation: SEASTAR™’s Nitric Acid (67 – 70% w/w) has a molarity of approximately 15.6 moles/L

1L contains 15.6 moles, therefore 1 mole is contained within = 1L / 15.6 moles.

1 mole = 0.0641 Litres = 64.1 mL

Mass of 64.1 mL of SEASTAR™’s Nitric Acid:

= 64.1 mL x 1.41g/mL
= 90.4g

where 1.41g/mL is the approximate density of SEASTAR™’s Nitric Acid, 67 – 70% w/w

Add 64.1mL, or 90.4g, of SEASTAR™’s Nitric Acid to water up to 1L to make a 1 Molar Solution of Nitric Acid.