Video Transcript
When undertaking a titration, the
solution in the buret is usually a standard solution of acid or base. What does the term “standard
solution” refer to?
A titration is a quantitative
analytical method used to determine the concentration of a solution using a second
solution of known concentration. To perform a titration, a buret is
placed over an Erlenmeyer flask, which is also called a conical flask. We’re told in the question that the
solution in the buret is usually a standard solution.
The Erlenmeyer flask contains an
indicator, a substance that undergoes a color change indicating that the end point
has been reached, and an analyte. The analyte, also called the
titrand, is a solution with an unknown concentration. This is the solution whose
concentration we are trying to determine via a titration. If the solution with an unknown
concentration is in the Erlenmeyer flask, then the second solution with the known
concentration must be in the buret. So a standard solution, also called
a titrant, is a solution with a known concentration.
Since we are told that the solution
in the buret is usually a standard solution of acid or base, we can say that the
term “standard solution” refers to an acid or base of known concentration.