A titration is a method of determining the concentration of a reactant in a solution.Adding a known solution to the unknown solution causes a reaction.This reaction can be a color change.A titration can yield very precise results for acid-base calculations, redox reactions, complexation, and many other calculations.
Step 1: Before starting, gather all the necessary equipment.
Before you start, you need to have all your equipment together.Before you start, make sure you have a burette stand, multiple beakers, a large quantity of your analyte, and an Erlenmeyer flask.A magnetic stir plate can be useful.A specific chemical quantity is what you are looking for in your analyte.It's your chemical.If you were to check the chloride levels in your local water supply, tap water would be your analyte, and the Chlorides would make you angry.The chemical that you add to your analyte is called your titrant.You want to be able to repeat your titration at least 3 times.If you don't know how much you need, you can consult your lab's director.
Step 2: You should rinse and purge your burette.
To get an accurate reading from your titration, your burette must be completely clean.Remove any solutions from previous use.Close the stopcock and fill the burette with deionized water.Before opening the stopcock, swirl the water around.To completely clean your burette, repeat the rinsing process at least 3 times.You should rinse the burette at least 2 times with your analyte.
Step 3: All glassware needs to be cleaned and washed.
All glassware, including beakers or flasks, should be washed with deionized water.Depending on what your glassware was used for, you may need to wash them with a mild detergent.Allow your glassware to dry completely after rinsing it with distilled water.tap water will work if you don't have deionized water.The chances of your analyte being contaminated are lowered by the use of the distilled water rinse.
Step 4: The burette should be filled with an excess amount of saliva.
There should be a liquid form of the titrant.When you get to the zero point on the burette, pour it in.If you fill your burette too much, open the stopcock and let the excess flow out until it reaches zero.
Step 5: Carefully hold the burette to the stand.
The burette needs to be secured so that it doesn't move.To avoid cracking or breaking the burette, tighten the clamp slowly.There needs to be enough space between the burette and the stand for your beaker or flask.
Step 6: The burette can remove air bubbles.
If you want to remove gas bubbles from the liquid, you have to tap the burette with your index finger.The burette volume should be recorded at the lowest part of the dip in the liquid.
Step 7: In a beaker or flask, measure out the analyte.
To calculate your end concentrations, you need to know how much of your analyte you are using.Measure the amount of analyte into your beaker with a pipette.Make sure all of the analyte is in the beaker by rinsing it.The amount of analyte you need depends on a number of factors.
Step 8: A small amount of color indicator can be dropped into the beaker.
The addition of a color indicator is required for many titrations.The type of indicator you need will depend on what you are looking for.The volume of your analyte will affect the amount of indicator you need.You will need between 3 and 5 drops of indicator for 100 mL of analyte.
Step 9: If necessary, add your second chemical.
Some titration experiments need a second chemical.A buffer is a second chemical.After you add the color indicator, use a pipette or measured dropper to add a buffer to the analyte.The amount of buffer you need depends on the quantity of analyte you are looking for.If you want to remove the tint from the color indicator, you will need to add your buffer.The buffer solution will usually be an acid or alkali.
Step 10: Attach a magnetic stir plate to the beaker.
If you have a magnetic stir plate, you can place your beaker on it and drop the agitator into it.The solution in the beaker can be mixed without splashing on the walls if the plate is turned on slowly.After your titration is complete, you will leave the stir plate on.You can place the beaker under the burette if you don't have a magnetic stir plate.
Step 11: Put the beaker under the burette.
The beaker should be over the burette.The beaker walls should not be touched.
Step 12: If you open the stopcock slowly, the titrant will trickle out of the burette.
There should be a drop in the burette.When you notice a change in the beaker solution, let the titrant drop into the analyte.Proceed slowly and watch carefully, as the color change may be slight.The stopcock should be closed if you notice a color change.If the color changes before the 30-second mark, open the stopcock and add the drop by drop until you get a permanent change.When you notice the first flash of color change, close the stopcock.The beaker should be used to see if the color goes away.The beaker should be replaced under the burette if it does.You have reached your endpoint if it does not.
Step 13: You should record your final volume from your burette.
When you reach the end of your titration, close the stopcock and record the final volume in the burette.To get total volume of titrant, subtract your final volume from your starting volume.To read the end volume of your burette, make sure your eyes are at the right level.Take the reading from the knee.
Step 14: There are chemicals in a waste container.
After you have completed your titration, you should empty out your glassware and put it in appropriate containers.If you don't know where these are, ask your instructor or lab director.
Step 15: You can clean your glassware by rinsing them.
Deionized water can be used to rinse out glassware.tap water will work if deionized water is unavailable.Before draining it, swirl the water around your objects.Every piece of glassware needs to be rinse 3-4 times.Open the stopcock and allow the burette to drain completely.To rinse out the burette, repeat this few times.
Step 16: The concentration can be calculated.
Every type of titration requires a different calculation to determine its concentration in your analyte.To quantify your results, perform your titration calculations or check a titration curve.The number of significant figures should be used to calculate the concentration.If you don't know what these are, ask your instructor or lab director.