The word alkalimetry refers to a chemical titration method to measure the alkalinity of a solution. The spelling of this word can be broken down into its individual sounds using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) transcription /ælkəˈlaɪmətri/. The first syllable "al" is pronounced as /æl/ followed by the second syllable "ka" pronounced as /kə/. The third and fourth syllables are "li" and "me" pronounced as /ˈlaɪ/ and /mi/ respectively. The final syllable "try" is pronounced as /tri/.
Alkalimetry refers to a branch of analytical chemistry that focuses on the quantitative determination of the concentration, strength, or content of alkali substances in a given sample. It involves the application of chemical techniques and methods to analyze substances with alkaline properties. Alkaline substances are those that possess basic or "alkali-like" characteristics, typically exhibiting a pH value greater than 7.
In the field of alkalimetry, various analytical techniques are employed to measure the alkaline content of substances accurately. This may include titration methods, where a known volume of an acidic solution is added to the sample until the endpoint is reached, resulting in a neutralization reaction. This endpoint is usually indicated by a color change, a change in pH, or other observable changes in the reaction mixture. By determining the volume of acid required to neutralize the alkaline substance, the concentration or content of the alkali can be calculated.
Alkalimetry finds widespread applications in industries such as pharmaceuticals, food and beverage, environmental analysis, and water treatment. It is commonly utilized to determine the concentration of hydroxide ions, as well as the alkalinity of water or solutions. The accurate measurement of alkali content is crucial in processes such as quality control, product formulation, investigation of impurities, and dosage determination in pharmaceutical preparations.
In summary, alkalimetry is a branch of analytical chemistry that focuses on the quantitative analysis of alkali substances through various techniques such as titration. Its applications extend to a wide range of industries where the accurate determination of alkaline content is vital.
The determination of the degree of alkalinity of a mixture.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The art of finding the strength of alkalies.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
The word "alkalimetry" is derived from two components: "alkali" and "metry".
1. Alkali: The word "alkali" originated from the Arabic word "al-qili", which refers to the ashes of certain salt-rich plants that could be used as cleaning agents. The Arabic term then entered Latin as "alcali" through translation. Over time, it transformed into "alkali" in English. It specifically refers to a type of soluble base that neutralizes an acid and has a pH greater than 7.
2. Metry: The suffix "-metry" comes from the Greek word "metron", meaning "measure" or "measurement". It is commonly used in the formation of words related to measurement or the science of measuring.
Combining these two components, "alkalimetry" refers to the measurement or analysis of alkali or alkaline substances.