What equipment is used in a titration?

In a titration, the equipment used includes a burette, pipette, conical flask, and indicator solution.

A titration is a common laboratory method of quantitative chemical analysis used to determine the concentration of an identified analyte. The equipment used in this process is designed to deliver precise measurements of liquids to ensure accurate results.

The first piece of equipment used in a titration is a burette. This is a long, graduated glass tube with a tap at the bottom. The burette is used to add the titrant (the solution with a known concentration) to the analyte (the solution with an unknown concentration) in a controlled manner. The burette allows for precise measurement of the volume of titrant used, which is crucial for determining the concentration of the analyte.

Next, a pipette is used to measure and transfer a specific volume of the analyte into a conical flask. Pipettes are designed to be very precise, ensuring that the same volume of solution can be measured each time. This is important as it allows for accurate comparisons between different titrations.

The conical flask is where the reaction between the titrant and analyte takes place. It is usually made of glass and has a narrow neck to allow for easy swirling of the solution without risk of spillage. The shape of the flask also helps to ensure that all of the solution reacts by keeping it concentrated at the bottom.

Finally, an indicator solution is used to signal the end point of the titration. This is usually a weak acid or base that changes colour when the solution in the flask has reached a certain pH. The most common indicator used is phenolphthalein, which changes from pink to colourless as the solution becomes more acidic.

In addition to these, other equipment such as a white tile (to see the colour change more clearly), a clamp stand (to hold the burette), and a filler (to fill the burette without spillage) may also be used.