Titration Calculations
Titrations find an unknown concentration using a reaction with a known solution.
About this topic
Titration determines the unknown concentration of a solution by reacting it with a standard solution of known concentration, using an indicator or pH meter to detect the endpoint. At neutralisation, moles of acid and base satisfy the mole ratio from the balanced equation: for monoprotic acid and base, M_acid × V_acid = M_base × V_base.
A burette delivers the titrant a drop at a time into a flask holding a measured volume of the unknown, plus indicator. Phenolphthalein turns pink at the endpoint in strong base titrations, and methyl orange is used for others. Titrate until a permanent colour change, record the volume, and repeat until readings agree within about 0.10 mL. Then calculate moles of titrant from M x V and use the mole ratio to find moles of analyte.
Worked example: 25.0 mL of HCl needs 20.0 mL of 0.100 M NaOH. Moles of NaOH = 0.100 x 0.0200 = 0.00200 mol, equal to moles of HCl, so its concentration is 0.00200 / 0.0250 = 0.0800 M. For H2SO4 the ratio is 1 acid to 2 base.
Titration is used to test vinegar, stomach acids, water quality and vitamin C. Common mistakes include forgetting the mole ratio, misreading the burette, and overshooting the endpoint.
Key ideas
- Find the equivalence point
- Use mole ratio
- Indicators show the endpoint
Quick check
Use cases: where Titration Calculations helps
- Homework: review the key idea behind Titration Calculations before you start a problem set.
- Exam revision: use the quick check to test whether you can recall Titration Calculations without notes.
- Visual learning: play with the interactive lab to see how Titration Calculations changes when you adjust its inputs.
- Teaching a friend: explain Titration Calculations in your own words, then compare your version with the key ideas.
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Frequently asked questions
What is Titration Calculations?
Titrations find an unknown concentration using a reaction with a known solution.
What will I learn in Titration Calculations?
Find the equivalence point. Use mole ratio. Indicators show the endpoint.
Is Titration Calculations part of Chemistry?
Yes. It is one of 150 Chemistry topics on LearnViz HighSchoolEdu, with 3 key ideas, a live animation and a quick check.
Does the Titration Calculations lab work on a phone or tablet?
Yes. The animation resizes to fit your screen and supports touch, so you can drag, tap and slide with your finger.
How should I study Titration Calculations?
Read the summary and key ideas first, play with the interactive lab to see the idea in motion, then answer the quick check. If you get a question wrong, go back to the key idea it tests.
Do I need an account, and is my progress saved?
No account is needed. Marking a topic as learned is saved in your own browser, so it stays on that device and is not sent to a server.