What does a titration curve represent in a chemical analysis?

A titration curve typically illustrates how the pH of a solution changes as a titrant is gradually added. This relationship is crucial for determining the endpoint of a titration, which occurs at a specific pH that corresponds to the completion of the reaction between the analyte and titrant. The shape of the curve can provide insight into the acid-base properties of the substances involved and indicates whether strong acids or bases are being titrated, or whether weak acids and bases are involved, both of which exhibit characteristic curve shapes.

As the titrant is added, the pH can change dramatically, especially near the equivalence point. The steep slope on the curve in that region helps to identify the precise point at which the reaction is complete, allowing for accurate calculations of concentrations. Therefore, understanding the titration curve is fundamental in quantitative chemical analysis for determining the concentration of an unknown solution based on the known concentration of the titrant.

In contrast, examining color changes during a reaction would connect to visual indicators rather than pH changes, while temperature changes would relate to different thermodynamic principles. Measuring absorbance at various wavelengths pertains more to spectrophotometry than to titration analysis.