Required Practical: Titration
Chemistry: AQA GCSE Higher, topic 4.3.14
Titration Practical
The experiment for determining the reacting volumes of a strong alkali and a strong acid by performing a titration is:
Method
- Using a pipette, add a set volume of a strong alkali to a conical flask.
- Add a few drops of a suitable indicator.
- Place a strong acid (sulfuric, hydrochloric or nitric acid) of known concentration in a burette.
- Take an initial reading of the volume of acid in the burette.
- Gradually add the acid to the alkali. Make sure that you are regularly swirling the conical flask as you add the acid. As you get closer to the end point, start to add the acid at a slower rate.
Method continued
- As soon as the indicator changes colour, stop adding acid.
- Take a final reading of the volume of acid in the burette.
- Subtract the final reading from the initial reading to calculate the volume of acid needed to neutralise the alkali.
Test yourself on Required Practical: Titration
In a titration experiment, at what point should you stop adding acid?
In a titration experiment, how much indicator is needed?
In a titration experiment, what are we trying to work out?
A student forgets to take an initial reading of the acid volume in the burette before starting a titration. What will the student not be able to calculate?
What is fixed and known before a titration experiment begins?