Where Should the Standard Solution Go in an Acid-Base Titration?

[jumbogala]

Homework Statement

Hi everyone. I'm teaching introductory chemistry this semester, but I don't have much of a chem background.

We are about to start acid base titrations. Does the standard solution of known concentration go in the buret tube or the erlenmeyer flask? Does it matter?

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution

In my lab, the acid has the unknown concentration, while the base's concentration is known. I have it set up so that the acid is in the erlenmeyer flask and the base is in the buret tube.

This is convenient because the indicator is colorless in the acid but pink in the base. However, would there ever be a situation where solution with the known concentration would be in the erlenmeyer flask?

 

[Borek]

I have always put known into the burette. Not that I don't know any serious arguments telling why we should do it this way.

 

[jumbogala]

Good to know, thank you! One more thing - is "titrant" always the solution of known concentration, or just the name for the solution that goes in the buret? It's hard to find a clear answer online.

 

[epenguin]

Other things being equal I would put the standard in the flask. Because the pipettes sampling will be more accurate than the burette measurement I prefer the feeling that there is one thing there that I know as accurately as possible against which I am measuring my unknown. But it is ridiculous of me, because the final accuracy will just depend on then,east accurate part - then burette. Nothing to choose really.

Your point is more important - you are likely to detect a colour appearance better than its disappearance.