Process of chemical analysis in which the quantity of some constituent of a dissolved sample is determined by adding an exactly measured quantity of another dissolved substance with which it reacts in a definite, known proportion.
The solution of known concentration is gradually added to the unknown solution from a burette (a long measuring tube with a valve at the bottom) until the equivalence point (end point) is reached. The amount of the unknown substance can then be calculated. The equivalence point is determined by a detectable change, for instance, of colour in an indicator substance (e.g., litmus ) or in an electrical property. Reactions used in titration include acid - base reactions, precipitations (see solution ), formation of complexes, and oxidation-reduction reactions. See also pH .