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06/12/2025
Chemistry
Titrations
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What is Titration?
Ever wondered how chemists figure out exactly how strong an acid or base is? Titration is your answer - it's a clever experiment that uses neutralisation reactions to find unknown concentrations.
Here's how it works: you take a solution with a known concentration (your standard solution) and carefully add it to your mystery solution until they completely neutralise each other. The amount needed tells you everything about your unknown's strength.
The process starts with setting up your equipment properly. You'll fill a burette with your acid solution - this long, graduated tube gives you much better precision than a regular measuring cylinder. Think of it as the chemistry equivalent of a high-end measuring tool.
Key Point: Burettes are essential because accuracy matters hugely in titrations - even tiny measurement errors can throw off your final answer completely.
Setting Up Your Titration
Now you're ready for the main setup steps. Use a volumetric pipette to add a precise amount of alkali into your conical flask - again, this beats measuring cylinders hands down for accuracy.
Next comes the indicator - this chemical hero changes colour to show you when neutralisation happens. Add a few drops to your alkali solution and you're ready to go.
The actual titration requires patience and steady hands. Slowly add acid from the burette whilst constantly swirling the flask to mix everything properly. You're looking for that first hint of colour change.
Pro Tip: When you see the colour starting to shift, slow right down - add the acid drop by drop from here to avoid overshooting the end point.
Finishing Your Titration
The moment you've been waiting for - when the indicator shows a permanent colour change, stop adding acid immediately. This end point tells you neutralisation is complete.
Record your titre (the volume of acid you used) carefully. But don't pack up yet - one titration isn't enough for reliable results.
You'll need to repeat the whole process until you get concordant titres - that means results within 0.1 cmยณ of each other. This repetition eliminates random errors and gives you confidence in your data.
Remember: Good titration technique comes with practice - the more you do, the better your end point detection becomes.
Calculating Your Unknown Concentration
Here's where your maths skills pay off. Start with what you know: the volume and concentration of your alkali lets you calculate the moles present using the formula: moles = concentration ร volume.
The balanced symbol equation for your reaction shows the exact ratio of acid to alkali that react together. Use this ratio to work out how many moles of acid were needed for neutralisation.
Finally, you've got the moles of acid and the mean volume (your average titre). Pop these into the concentration formula and you've cracked it - the mystery concentration is revealed.
Success Strategy: Always double-check your balanced equation and mole ratios - these are the most common sources of calculation errors in titration problems.
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Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
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This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
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The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
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In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didnโt even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as Iโm sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH ๐๐๐ฒ๐ค๐โจ๐๐ฎ
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because itโs too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didnโt even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as Iโm sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH ๐๐๐ฒ๐ค๐โจ๐๐ฎ
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
Understanding Acid-Base Titrations
Titrations are essential chemistry experiments that help you work out the concentration of unknown acids or bases. By carefully mixing measured amounts of solutions and watching for colour changes, you can calculate exactly how strong your unknown solution is.
What is Titration?
Ever wondered how chemists figure out exactly how strong an acid or base is? Titration is your answer - it's a clever experiment that uses neutralisation reactions to find unknown concentrations.
Here's how it works: you take a solution with a known concentration (your standard solution) and carefully add it to your mystery solution until they completely neutralise each other. The amount needed tells you everything about your unknown's strength.
The process starts with setting up your equipment properly. You'll fill a burette with your acid solution - this long, graduated tube gives you much better precision than a regular measuring cylinder. Think of it as the chemistry equivalent of a high-end measuring tool.
Key Point: Burettes are essential because accuracy matters hugely in titrations - even tiny measurement errors can throw off your final answer completely.
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Setting Up Your Titration
Now you're ready for the main setup steps. Use a volumetric pipette to add a precise amount of alkali into your conical flask - again, this beats measuring cylinders hands down for accuracy.
Next comes the indicator - this chemical hero changes colour to show you when neutralisation happens. Add a few drops to your alkali solution and you're ready to go.
The actual titration requires patience and steady hands. Slowly add acid from the burette whilst constantly swirling the flask to mix everything properly. You're looking for that first hint of colour change.
Pro Tip: When you see the colour starting to shift, slow right down - add the acid drop by drop from here to avoid overshooting the end point.
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Finishing Your Titration
The moment you've been waiting for - when the indicator shows a permanent colour change, stop adding acid immediately. This end point tells you neutralisation is complete.
Record your titre (the volume of acid you used) carefully. But don't pack up yet - one titration isn't enough for reliable results.
You'll need to repeat the whole process until you get concordant titres - that means results within 0.1 cmยณ of each other. This repetition eliminates random errors and gives you confidence in your data.
Remember: Good titration technique comes with practice - the more you do, the better your end point detection becomes.
Sign up to see the contentIt's free!
Access to all documents
Improve your grades
Join milions of students
By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
Calculating Your Unknown Concentration
Here's where your maths skills pay off. Start with what you know: the volume and concentration of your alkali lets you calculate the moles present using the formula: moles = concentration ร volume.
The balanced symbol equation for your reaction shows the exact ratio of acid to alkali that react together. Use this ratio to work out how many moles of acid were needed for neutralisation.
Finally, you've got the moles of acid and the mean volume (your average titre). Pop these into the concentration formula and you've cracked it - the mystery concentration is revealed.
Success Strategy: Always double-check your balanced equation and mole ratios - these are the most common sources of calculation errors in titration problems.
We thought youโd never ask...
What is the Knowunity AI companion?
Our AI Companion is a student-focused AI tool that offers more than just answers. Built on millions of Knowunity resources, it provides relevant information, personalised study plans, quizzes, and content directly in the chat, adapting to your individual learning journey.
Where can I download the Knowunity app?
You can download the app from Google Play Store and Apple App Store.
Is Knowunity really free of charge?
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The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because itโs too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didnโt even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as Iโm sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH ๐๐๐ฒ๐ค๐โจ๐๐ฎ
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because itโs too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didnโt even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as Iโm sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH ๐๐๐ฒ๐ค๐โจ๐๐ฎ
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user