Question

There was difficulty in determining the end point in the titration due to the color of the food sample and the titration was stopped before the true endpoint was reached. Would the determined percentage of acetic acid in the food sample be higher or lower due to this error? Explain your answer.

Answer 1

The determined percentage of acetic acid in the food sample would be lower due to the error in determining the end point in the titration.

Step-by-step explanation:

The determined percentage of acetic acid in the food sample would be lower due to the error in determining the end point in the titration. When the titration is stopped before the true endpoint is reached, it means that less titrant (sodium hydroxide in this case) has been added than what is required to neutralize all the acetic acid in the food sample. As a result, the calculated percentage of acetic acid would be lower than the actual percentage.