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Topic: Volumetric Analysis
Level: OL/HL
Exam Focus: Section A Practical Skills
1. Experiment Snapshot
Feature
Details
Experiment
Acid-Base Titration
Exam Importance
⭐⭐⭐⭐ Practical exam standard
Typical Marks
5–15 marks
2. Aim
To determine the concentration of an acid or base by titration.
3. Quick Theory
A titration measures the volume of one solution needed to react exactly with a known volume of another solution. The endpoint is detected using an indicator.
Examiner Tip: Always connect the observation or reading to the purpose of the experiment.
Standard solution, unknown solution and suitable indicator.
Safety: Wear goggles and follow teacher instructions, especially with acids, alkalis, hot apparatus and oxidising agents.
5. Step-by-Step Procedure
Rinse the burette with the solution it will contain.
Rinse the pipette with the solution it will measure.
Pipette a fixed volume into a conical flask.
Add a few drops of indicator.
Run solution from the burette while swirling.
Stop at the first permanent colour change.
Repeat until concordant titres are obtained.
6. Observations / Results
Situation
Expected Result
Endpoint
Permanent colour change.
Concordant titres
Usually within 0.1 cm³.
7. Student Common Mistakes
Overshooting the endpoint.
Reading the top of the meniscus instead of the bottom.
Forgetting to remove the funnel from the burette.
Using too much indicator.
Not rinsing apparatus with the correct solutions.
8. Examiner Traps
Trap: Students often describe the apparatus but forget the exact observation, reading, or endpoint. Use precise words.
8A. Labelled Diagram
In a titration, the burette gives a controlled drop-by-drop addition while the conical flask is swirled. The endpoint is the first permanent colour change.
Acid-Base Titration Setup
The endpoint is judged by a colour change against a white tile.
Teacher Voice: Remind students that the flask is swirled so the drop reacts evenly before the colour change is judged.
9. 🎮 Interactive Simulator
Try It Yourself
What should be removed from the burette before titrating?
What endpoint is correct?
Result Window
Ready
Choose the correct actions to complete the practical.
Score:0/0
10. Past Paper Style Questions
State the aim of this experiment. [2]
Describe the procedure in order. [4]
State one safety precaution. [2]
State one common error and one improvement. [4]
Explain the key observation/result. [3]
11. Mark Scheme
Aim correct [2]. Procedure in correct order [4]. Safety precaution [2]. Error and improvement [4]. Observation/result explained [3].