12.2.1

Acid-base Titrations

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Acid-base Titrations

A titration is a method used to find the exact concentration of a solution. It uses precise apparatus to measure liquids accurately.

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What is an acid-base titration?

  • An acid-base titration is a specific type of titration used to find the concentration of an unknown acid or base.
  • It works by neutralising a known volume of the acid with a known concentration of the base (or vice-versa).
  • This process relies on a chemical reaction where an acid + base = salt and water.
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Titration equipment - Burette

  • Burette:
    • A long, graduated glass tube with a tap at the bottom.
    • It is used to deliver a measured volume of one solution (the titrant) into the flask.
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Titration equipment - Volumetric pipette

  • Volumetric pipette:
    • A tube designed to measure and transfer a fixed, accurate volume of a solution.
    • Used to transfer the alkali (or acid) into the conical flask.
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Titration equipment - Conical flask

  • Conical flask:
    • Holds the solution that is being titrated.
    • Its shape helps prevent splashing.
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Indicator and end-point

  • A suitable indicator is a substance that changes colour when the solution changes from acidic to alkaline (or alkaline to acidic).
  • Examples:
    • Litmus
    • Methyl orange
    • Phenolphthalein
  • The end-point of a titration is the point at which the indicator changes colour to show when neutralisation has occurred.

Jump to other topics

1States of Matter

2Atoms, Elements & Compounds

3Stoichometry

4Electrochemistry

5Chemical Energetics

6Chemical Reactions

7Acids, Bases & Salts

8The Periodic Table

9Metals

10Chemistry of the Environment

11Organic Chemistry

11.1Formulae, Functional Groups & Terminology

11.2Naming Organic Compounds

11.3Fuels

11.4Alkanes

11.5Alkenes

11.6Alcohols

11.7Carboxylic Acids

11.8Polymers

12Experimental Techniques & Chemical Analysis

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