The purpose of an acid-base titration lab is to determine the concentration of an unknown acid or base solution by reacting it with a known solution of the opposite type. This is done by measuring the volume of the known solution needed to completely neutralize the unknown solution.
The equipment needed for an acid-base titration lab includes a burette, a flask or beaker, a standardized solution of the opposite type of the unknown solution, an indicator (such as phenolphthalein), and a stirrer.
An acid-base titration is performed by first measuring a volume of the unknown solution into a flask or beaker. Then, a known volume of the standardized solution is added to the unknown solution, while the indicator is added to the flask. The standardized solution is slowly added until the indicator changes color, indicating the endpoint of the titration. The volume of the standardized solution used is then recorded.
An indicator is a substance that changes color at a specific pH level. In acid-base titrations, an indicator is used to signal when the acid and base have completely reacted, known as the endpoint. This allows for accurate measurement of the volume of the standardized solution used.
The concentration of the unknown solution can be calculated using the volume and concentration of the standardized solution, as well as the balanced chemical equation for the reaction between the two solutions. By using the volume and concentration of the standardized solution, the number of moles of the known solution can be determined. The mole ratio between the known and unknown solutions, as indicated by the balanced equation, can then be used to calculate the concentration of the unknown solution.