titratiemiddelen

Titratiemiddelen, also known as titrants, are solutions of precisely known concentration used in analytical chemistry for quantitative chemical analysis, a process called titration. The primary purpose of a titrant is to react with and determine the concentration of an unknown substance, known as the analyte, present in a sample. The titrant is typically added gradually from a burette to the analyte solution until the reaction between them is complete, a point known as the equivalence point. This completion is usually indicated by a visual change, such as a color change, often facilitated by an indicator.

The concentration of a titrant must be accurately known or carefully determined before use. This is often achieved through a process called standardization, where the titrant is reacted with a substance of known purity and concentration. Common examples of titrants include acids, bases, oxidizing agents, and reducing agents, chosen based on the specific chemical reaction required to analyze the analyte. For instance, a strong acid like hydrochloric acid might be used as a titrant to determine the concentration of an unknown base, or a solution of potassium permanganate might be used as a titrant in redox titrations. The precise measurement of the volume of titrant consumed is crucial for calculating the analyte's concentration.