Wednesday, June 1, 2022

Why is titration between a weak acid and a weak base not possible?

An acid-base titration is a type of titration in which the concentration of an acid/base is determined by titrating it against a known concentration of a base/acid. In solution, a strong acid/base dissociates completely into ions. Therefore we see the titration curve since this is not the case with mild acid/base.

When a weak acid is titrated with a weak base, the neutralization reaction occurs, depending on the pKa, pH, and pkb. As a result, it will be challenging to obtain the titration curve. Furthermore, once the weak acid and weak base are combined, the concentration of the dissociated and dissociated species cannot be estimated. 

In this situation, the complete dissociation of strong acids and bases is useful. They always completely dissociate in solution. There is no clear way to measure the concentration of a standard to titrate against an unknown weak acid/base, the entire experiment titration can fail.

Why weak acids cannot be used as a titrant in the titrations?

Since the pH shift is too gradual around the equivalence point of the reaction, a weak acid solution cannot be titrated with a weak base to determine the end-point.

Before, during, and after the equivalence point, weak acid and weak base always act as a buffer. Consequently, we don't get a steep section in the titration curve, or a sharp change in the solution’s pH around the equivalence point, and we can't choose an appropriate indicator.

What happens when a weak acid and a weak base react?

When a strong acid and a strong base are mixed, they will completely ionize, resulting in salt and water. Weak acids and bases, on the other hand, only partially ionize. As a result, mixing them usually results in a reversible reaction that forms a conjugate acid and a base as products.

Why should colorimetric titration of a weak acid with a weak base not be done in the laboratory?

When a weak acid reacts with a weak base, the equivalence point will be basic if the base is stronger and acidic if the acid is stronger, and the equivalence pH will be neutral if both are of equal strength. On the other hand, weak acids are rarely titrated against weak bases because the color change exposed by the indicator is often sharp, as a result, it's difficult for the observer to notice the color change.



People also ask:

Can we titrate weak acid with the weak base?
What happens when weak acids and bases are titrated?
Why weak acids and bases are not used as standard reagents?
Which titration is used for weak acid and weak base?
What happens when a weak acid and weak base react?
Can you titrate a weak acid?
Why phenolphthalein cannot be used for titrating a weak base like hco3?
Is it possible to perform a titration of a weak acid with a weak base why OR why not?
Why is it difficult to do a titration of a weak acid and a weak base


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