conductometric titrations

In conductometric titrations, the electrical conductivity of an electrical solution is continuously monitored as one reactant is added. The accurate endpoint of can be determined by detecting a sudden change in the conductivity of the solution. It is particularly useful in titrating weak acids against weak bases. According to Ohm’s law;

I = E/R                                        

Also,

R ∝ l

R ∝ 1/A                                                   

Therefore;

R = ρ l/A

ρ = RA/l

I = Current, E= electromotive force, R= Resistance, l = Length, A= cross section area, ρ= Resistivity

The reciprocal of resistivity is conductivity. It can be expressed as K.

K = 1/ ρ

    = 1l / RA

    = G l/A

G is the conductance.

In the titration, the conducting material is the solution. So the conductance depends on the type of ions in the solution and their concentration. If the solution is located between two electrodes at constant distance and cross section area, conductance will increase when the concentration of the solution decreases.

Also when l and A are constant it is clear that,

K ∝ G

These conditions can be obtained by using a conductivity cell that consisting a pair of platinum electrodes connected to the conductivity bridge which provides current to the cell. The meter will give out the calculated conductivity of the solution.