Final answer:
A primary standard in chemistry is a highly pure compound used to accurately determine the concentration of another substance in a solution through titration.
Step-by-step explanation:
A primary standard in chemistry refers to a highly pure compound that is used to accurately determine the concentration of another substance in a solution through a process called titration. Primary standards have several key characteristics:
High purity: They are extremely pure substances, usually with a purity of 99.99% or higher.
Stable and non-hygroscopic: They do not react with moisture or other substances in the air.
Quantifiable: Their concentration can be precisely determined using gravimetric or volumetric analysis techniques.
Readily available: They can be easily obtained in large quantities.
For example, potassium hydrogen phthalate (KHP) is a common primary standard used in acid-base titrations to determine the concentration of a base solution.