In a conductometric titration, what happens to the conductivity of the...
When a base is added to a strong acid before reaching the equivalence point in a conductometric titration, the concentration of hydrogen ions (H+) decreases as they are neutralized by the base. This results in an increase in conductivity, as the solution becomes less acidic.
In a conductometric titration, what happens to the conductivity of the...
Conductometric titration:
Conductometric titration is a technique used to determine the concentration of a solution by measuring its conductivity. It involves the addition of a reactant of known concentration (titrant) to a solution containing the analyte.
Effect of adding a base to a strong acid:
When a strong acid (such as hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, etc.) is titrated with a base (such as sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, etc.), the conductivity of the solution changes as the reaction progresses.
Before reaching the equivalence point:
The equivalence point is the point at which the moles of acid are stoichiometrically equal to the moles of base added. Before reaching the equivalence point, the solution contains excess acid.
Explanation:
When a base is added to a strong acid before reaching the equivalence point, the conductivity of the solution increases. This can be explained by the following factors:
1. Dissociation of acid:
Strong acids completely dissociate in water to produce H+ ions. The presence of excess acid results in a higher concentration of H+ ions in the solution. These ions contribute to the conductivity of the solution.
2. Increase in ions:
When a base is added, it reacts with the acid to form water and a salt. The salt formed contains ions that contribute to the conductivity of the solution. As the reaction progresses, the concentration of ions in the solution increases, leading to an increase in conductivity.
3. Neutralization reaction:
The reaction between a strong acid and a base is a neutralization reaction. During this reaction, H+ ions from the acid react with OH- ions from the base to form water. As more base is added, more water is formed, and the concentration of H+ ions decreases. This reduction in the concentration of H+ ions decreases the conductivity of the solution.
Conclusion:
In a conductometric titration, when a base is added to a strong acid before reaching the equivalence point, the conductivity of the solution increases. This is due to the dissociation of the acid, increase in ions from the salt formed, and the subsequent neutralization reaction.