Potentiometry is spelled pəˌtɛnʃiˈɒmɪtri, with the stress on the second syllable. The first syllable is pronounced as "puh" as in "but," while the second syllable is pronounced as "ten" as in "10," and the third syllable is pronounced as "shi" as in "she," with the final syllable pronounced as "oh" as in "no." Potentiometry refers to a measurement technique that involves determining the electrical potential difference between two electrodes in a solution.
Potentiometry is a method used in analytical chemistry and electrochemistry that involves measuring the potential difference between two electrodes in a solution. It is a technique commonly used to determine the concentration of certain ions or other chemical species in a sample by relying on the measurement of the electric potential.
In potentiometry, a reference electrode with a known and stable potential is placed in the solution, while a measuring electrode, also known as an indicator electrode, is used to sense the potential. The difference in potential between the two electrodes is then measured and used to determine the analyte concentration or activity in the solution. This measurement is based on the Nernst equation, which describes the relationship between the potential and the concentration of the analyte.
The potentiometric method offers several advantages, such as high sensitivity and accuracy, simplicity, and wide applicability to various types of samples and analytes. It can be used for the determination of ions, gases, and dissolved substances in complex mixtures, as well as in environmental, pharmaceutical, and biomedical analysis.
Potentiometry is commonly employed in various applications, including pH measurements, titrations, ion-selective electrode measurements, and determination of redox potentials. It is a valuable tool for quantitative analysis in chemistry laboratories, providing crucial information for quality control, research, and development in numerous scientific and industrial fields.
The word "Potentiometry" is derived from the combination of two words: "potential" and "metry".
The term "potential" comes from the Latin word "potentia", meaning power or ability. In the context of electricity, it refers to the electric potential or voltage, which is the difference in electric potential energy between two points in an electric field.
The suffix "-metry" is derived from the Greek word "metron", meaning measurement. It is commonly used to indicate a process or technique of measuring or quantifying something.
Therefore, "potentiometry" combines these two elements to describe the measurement of electrical potentials or voltages, typically in the field of electrochemistry.