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K223 / K225 / 2027
Data and Experimental Skills

Topic 5 of 7

Titration and quantitative analysis

Make the measured volume correspond to the reacting amount.

SEC G2 Science K223 / K225 (2027)

Make a titre correspond to the reacting amounts

The endpoint, rinsing and complete transfer determine what the number means.

A careful acid-base titration
  1. Prepare the measured solutions

    Rinse the burette with its solution and the pipette with the solution it will measure. Fill the burette tip, remove the funnel and record the initial reading. Use a pipette filler.

  2. Transfer a fixed aliquot

    Deliver the pipetted solution into a clean conical flask. Allow the pipette to drain as designed; do not blow out a residual tip drop unless it is a blow-out pipette.

  3. Locate the endpoint

    Add a small consistent amount of a suitable indicator. Swirl during addition, use a white background and add titrant dropwise near the endpoint. Rinse flask walls with distilled water if needed.

  4. Repeat and calculate

    Record the final reading and titre. Obtain agreeing precise titres, select a justified mean, then use concentration, volume and the balanced mole ratio.

The equivalence point is the stoichiometric completion of reaction. The endpoint is the observed indicator change. Choose an indicator whose transition lies in the steep pH change near equivalence; universal indicator gives a broad colour change and is unsuitable for precise titration. The required final colour depends on the indicator and which solution is added.

Check your understandingAfter transferring the alkali, a student adds a little distilled water to the conical flask. Must the titre increase?Think it through, then reveal the answer
No, assuming no reacting material is lost and the endpoint remains suitable. The amount of alkali in the flask is unchanged; it is merely more dilute.