Chemistry Lab/Titration Race

Titration Race (2009)
Despite the name of this portion of the 2009 Chem Lab event, this event can barely be considered a race. In fact, a recent rule clarification states that time will not be considered a tie-breaker at the national competition. However if time is considered, here are a few helpful hints to increase both your speed and accuracy in performing a titration.

-Begin with a microtitration. For example titrate with 2 mL of the base to get a ballpark figure of the concentration. Use this to decide how much of the base you will use in the future trials. Remember that the more you use to titrate with, the more accurate your results will be.

-Three trials are recommended. If the ask to show work for only 2 data points, still do three and show the two that are closest together UNLESS your first two seem so close that a third is unnecessary.

-Remember what you're working with. Understand how sulfuric acid might change the calculations to find its concentration.

-Do not overtitrate. This is what will seperate the teams the most. A healthy red color is not what you're looking for at the end of a titration. You are looking for your final solution to be barely tinged pink. If given paper, place it below your flask so that you can easily see ANY tinge of pink. If you do overtitrate, go back to the acid and add a drop or two to get to a good final point.