Titrations and pH

Chemistry
Unit 1
Ms. Davidson
Objectives
At the end of the lesson, students should be able to:
• Recall acid-base reactions and the pH scale.
• Understand the typical shape of pH curves for acid-base titrations in
all combinations of weak and strong monoprotic acids AND bases.
• Describe the changes in pH during acid-base titrations.
• Use pH curves to select an appropriate indicator
What process occurs when an
acid and base react?
Hint: it starts with “N”

If there are equal numbers of H+ from the acid and OH- from the base… the mixture will be neutral
Titration
• Name the apparatus you need to carry out a titration.
Describe how you would carry
out a titration
pH curves shows the results of
titration experiments.
Different types of pH meters
pH curves
• The shape of the pH curve varies depending on the strengths of the
acids and bases that were used.
pH curves
• The shape of the pH curve varies depending on the strengths of the
acids and bases that were used.
The vertical section of the pH
curve
• The mid-point of this vertical section is the equivalence point
or end point.
• It is at this point, a small volume of base causes a SUDDEN/ BIG
change in the pH.
• It is here that all the acid is just neutralized.

• NB: The weak acid-weak base pH curve does not produce the vertical
section. You don’t get a sharp change. Therefore, it is better to use a
pH meter to find the end point for this type of titration.
What if you are titrating a base with an acid
instead?? How would your pH scale look?
The same but they would be
reversed!
• Example, strong base/ strong acid
Indicators
• Can you name some common indicators?
Common indicators
• Universal indicator
• Methyl orange
• Phenolphthalein
• Litmus
• Bromophenol blue
• Cresol purple