Chapter 3

Titration :
Apparatus and
techniques

What is titration?

A titration is a method of analysis that will

allow you to determine the precise end
point of reaction.
Burette is used to dispense known
amounts
of
a
liquid
reagent
in
experiments.
Indicator is used to detect the end point
of reaction.

Steps of titration
A titration is carried out using a number of steps:
Set up the apparatus as picture above.
Weighed (solid sample) using an accurate balance, and
dissolved it to make up a known volume of solution (usually
100cm3).
By using pipette, measure accurately a volume of this
solution - for example, 10cm3. Draw solution into the pipette
by using safety pipette filler. This is emptied into a conical
flask.
A few drops of an indicator may be added to the conical
flask. This will show a change of colour when the titration is
complete.
A second chemical is placed in a burette. This second
chemical will react with the synthesised solution sample in
the conical flask. Often the chemical in the burette is an
alkali, and it must be of a precise, known concentration.

Hit the stood burette carefully with index

finger in order to remove bubble gases
inside the liquid then record the initial
volume of the burette at the meniscus
(the lowest part of the dip in the
liquid).The chemical from the burette is
run into the conical flask. The chemical is
added one drop at a time, with swirling to
mix the solutions as the end-point is
approached. Change of colour shows that
the correct amount has been added to
react completely with the synthesised
solution in the sample.
Record final volume. Calculate the
concentration of the reactant within the

PAST YEAR QUESTION

Question number 3 (september 2013)
a) Distinguish between:
i. The equivalence point and the end
point of a titration
ii. A direct titration and a back titration

ANSWER

The acid-base indicator indicates the

end point of the titration by changing
colour. The end point and the
equivalence point are not exactly the
same because the equivalence point is
determined by the stoichiometry of the
reaction while the end point is just the
colour change from the indicator.

ANSWER
In direct titration can calculate the number of moles of
acid if know the molarity of the base, the volume of base
used in the titration and the volume of acid that started
with.
In back titration is add an excess of acid, some of
which is neutralized by the antacid. Titrate the excess
acid with a strong base and calculate the number of
moles of acid that titrated.This method is called back
titration. Simple subtraction of the number of moles of
acid titrated from the number of moles of acid started
with gives the amount of acid neutralized by the antacid.
Back titration is used because not all of the antacid is
soluble. It contains binders and fillers which are insoluble.