Question Video: Recalling the Meaning of the Term Standard Solution Chemistry

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?

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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.

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