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What is sources of error in titration lab analysis of hydrogen peroxide

User Suen
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Final answer:

In titration analysis of hydrogen peroxide, sources of error can include inaccuracies in reagent concentration, decomposition of hydrogen peroxide, incorrect end point determination, environmental factors such as temperature inconsistency, and human error such as misreading volumes or calculation mistakes.

Step-by-step explanation:

Sources of error in a titration lab involving the analysis of hydrogen peroxide can include inaccuracies in measurement, contamination of reagents, and environmental factors. For example, if the concentration of reagents such as potassium permanganate is not precisely known, this can lead to errors in the final calculation. Similarly, if the solution of hydrogen peroxide has been exposed to light or is not fresh, decomposition might have occurred, affecting the accuracy of the titration analysis.

Another common source of error in titration is the endpoint determination. If the color change is not observed at the exact point where the reactants have reacted stoichiometrically, this can lead to an overestimation or underestimation of the reactant quantities. Additionally, since the experiment involved heating the hydrogen peroxide to 40 °C, there is a possibility that the temperature was not maintained consistently, which could affect the reaction rate and thus the titration results.

Finally, human error is always a possibility, such as misreading volumes during the titration or making calculation errors when determining reaction rates from the change in concentration over time intervals. Precision in all steps of the experiment is essential to minimize such errors.

User Mmmmmpie
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Final answer:

Sources of error in titration analysis of hydrogen peroxide include improper use of the burette, parallax errors, inconsistency in catalytic manganese dioxide, temperature variations, and the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide over time, as well as measurement and calculation errors in the reactant and titrant volumes and concentrations.

Step-by-step explanation:

The sources of error in titration lab analysis of hydrogen peroxide can range from measurement inaccuracies to reaction inconsistencies. When conducting a titration to analyze hydrogen peroxide concentration, common errors might include improper use of the burette, parallax errors when reading measurements, incomplete reaction of hydrogen peroxide if the manganese dioxide is not fully catalytic, or temperature variations affecting the reaction rate. Moreover, the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide over time, especially at a constant temperature of 40 °C as stated in the experiment, can lead to variance in the concentration affecting calculations of the reaction rate.

In titrating hydrogen peroxide with potassium permanganate, as in the 'Check Your Learning' example, specific errors could arise from inaccurately measuring the volume of oxalic acid, incorrect molarity of the potassium permanganate solution, or not allowing the reaction to reach the endpoint. It is vital that students are meticulous with their technique and calculations, including those concerning molar mass and percentage concentration by mass, to reduce potential errors and achieve accurate results.

User Doches
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