Acid and Base Titration

A review of an experiment using the titration method to obtain accurate measurements of reactants in a chemical reaction.

857 words () | 4 sources | MLA | 2009 Canada

Paper Summary:

The paper relates the method, procedure and observations of an experiment that uses the titration method to obtain accurate measurements of reactants in a chemical reaction. The paper provides the calculations of the concentration of sodium hydroxide and notes the sources of error that could have been prevented.

Outline:
Introduction
Materials
Procedure
Observations
Calculations
Sources of Error

From the Paper:

"A titration is a method used by people all over the world to obtain accurate measurements of both reactants in a chemical reaction. Generally some sort of indicator or pH scale is used to determine when the exact moment is that the reaction is complete. In doing this, the measurement of the titrant becomes more precise, and later calculations can be made at a more exact value. Phenolphthalein is used as an acid and base indicator as it causes a solution to change colour, either pink or colourless, as a solution becomes a base or an acid, respectively. The alteration between the pink colour and colourless is at around a pH of 9. When the pH is above approximately 9 then the phenolphthalein will cause a solution to become pink and when the pH is below approximately 9 the phenolphthalein will cause the solution to become colourless. A titrant is a solution placed in the buret, which is attached to a retort stand with a clamp."

Sample of Sources Used:

Chem Lab Date Accessed: May 10, 2009http://www.dartmouth.edu/~chemlab/techniques/titration.html
Phenolphthalein Date Accessed: May 10, 2009http://digipac.ca/chemical/equilibrium/phenolpthalein.htm
Jenkins, Dr. F, et. al., Chemistry 11, Nelson, Toronto, 2002
http://www.cccc.edu/news/storyImages/2008-11-04-179143476.jpg