Question

What would cause a student to achieve less than 100% yield in the titration of aspirin tablets?

Answers

Answered by GPT 3.5
There are several factors that can cause a student to achieve less than 100% yield in the titration of aspirin tablets. These include:

1. Impure or low-quality aspirin tablets: If the tablets used in the titration are impure or of low quality, they may not contain the expected amount of aspirin. This can result in a lower yield than expected.

2. Incomplete dissolution: If the aspirin tablets are not completely dissolved in the solvent used for the titration, some of the aspirin may be left undissolved and not able to undergo the reaction. This can lead to a lower yield.

3. Inaccurate measurement: Errors in measuring the volume of the reagents, such as the titrant or the analyte, can result in inaccurate results. Even small errors in measurement can significantly affect the yield.

4. Loss of product during transfer: If there is any loss of the product during transfer, such as during filtration or transfer from one container to another, it can result in a lower yield.

5. Side reactions or decomposition: Aspirin can undergo hydrolysis or decomposition under certain conditions, leading to the formation of byproducts or loss of the desired product. This can reduce the overall yield.

6. Incomplete reaction: If the reaction between the aspirin and the titrant is not complete, either due to insufficient reaction time or improper reaction conditions, it can result in a lower yield.

7. Human error: Mistakes in technique, such as misreading burette readings, improper mixing or swirling, or not following the procedure correctly, can also lead to lower yield.

It is important for students to be aware of these potential factors and take appropriate measures to minimize their effects in order to achieve more accurate and reliable results.

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