How to Use Titrations

Titrations are used to find the concentration of an unknown acid or base. If the unknown solution is acidic, a known base is added. If the unknown solution is basic, a known acid is used. By using an indicator to tell when the solution has neutralized, you can determine the concentration of the unknown solution.

Things You'll Need

• Buret
• Indicator Solution
• Beaker
• Basic or acidic solution of unknown concentration
• Acidic or basic solution with a known concentration (must be acidic if the unknown is basic and vice versa)

Instructions

Using a Titration

1. Set up the titration by pouring the unknown solution into the beaker and the known solution into the buret. Record each volume.

2. Add the indicator to the beaker.

3. Carefully release a small amount of the known solution from the buret into the beaker. When the solution is close to neutralizing, only add partial drops at a time to make sure you do not add too much.

4. Find the amount of liquid that has been used by subtracting the amount remaining in the buret from the amount that was present at the start of the experiment.

5. Use the data from the titration to determine the concentration of the unknown substance. To do so, multiply the volume of the known substance used times its concentration. Then divide this number by the volume of the unknown solution that was in the beaker at the start of the experiment. If 10 milliliters of 0.5 M solution was added to 25 milliliters of the unknown concentration, multiply 10 times 0.5 divided by 25 to get a concentration of 0.2 M for the unknown solution.

Tips & Warnings

• Add the solution from the buret very slowly as you approach the titration point so you don't add too much.

• Always use caution when handling acids.

References

• Using Titrations