Seneca
Sign up

Titration Experimental Detail

Chemistry: IB Diploma Higher Level, topic 6.9.2

Key Titration Techniques

Here's a quick recap of key titration information.

Glassware

Glassware

  • Above are labeled images of a burette and a pipette.
Technique

Technique

  • In a titration, you want to calculate the concentration of an acid or base by reacting it with a known amount of base or acid. To do this:
  • Add a measured amount of one to the other.
  • Use a balanced equation to calculate the concentrations.
Accuracy

Accuracy

  • In a titration, you want to make sure you have accurate results.
  • Accurate results are achieved by repeating your titration until you get concordant results.
  • Concordant results are values that are within 0.1 cm3 of each other.
Indicators

Indicators

  • To find the endpoint of a titration, you use an indicator.
  • An indicator changes color when all of the unknown reactant is used up.

Titrations

Here's a quick introduction to titration reactions.

Titrations

Titrations

  • A typical titration is conducted using a buret.
  • Incremental additions of a solution containing a known concentration of some substance (the titrant) are added to the analyte.
  • The analyte is a sample of solution containing the substance whose concentration is to be measured.
Equivalence point

Equivalence point

  • The titrant and analyte undergo a chemical reaction of known stoichiometry.
  • So, measuring the volume of titrant solution required for complete reaction with the analyte allows calculation of the analyte concentration.
  • This point is known as the equivalence point of the titration.
  • At the equivalence point, there is an equal number of moles analyte and added titrant.
Endpoint

Endpoint

  • Special dyes called indicators are added to the sample solutions to impart a change in color at the equivalence point.
  • The volume of titrant actually measured at the equivalence point is called the endpoint.
  • Properly designed titration methods typically ensure that the difference between the equivalence and endpoints is negligible.
  • In summary, the endpoint is the observable event that occurs at the equivalence point.

Test yourself on Titration Experimental Detail

  • Which of the following is the definition of concordant results in titrations?

Practise this topic for free