PRIMARY STANDARD Meaning and
Definition
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A primary standard is a highly pure substance that is used in chemical analysis to determine the concentration or amount of a particular substance in a sample. It is often used as a reference material or benchmark against which other substances can be compared. Primary standards have several key characteristics that make them suitable for this purpose.
Firstly, a primary standard is highly pure, meaning it contains a minimal amount of impurities. This purity is essential to ensure accurate and precise measurements during chemical analysis. Any impurities or contaminants in the primary standard can interfere with the analysis and lead to inaccurate results.
Secondly, a primary standard is stable, meaning it does not undergo any significant changes over time. This stability ensures that its concentration or amount remains constant, allowing for reliable comparisons and measurements.
Furthermore, a primary standard is available in a known and well-established form, such as a solid, liquid, or gas. This standard form allows for accurate measurement and easy integration into analysis procedures.
Primary standards are often used in volumetric analysis, where a known concentration of a substance is used to determine the concentration of another substance through a chemical reaction. The known concentration of the primary standard serves as a reference point to calculate the concentration of the unknown substance.
In conclusion, a primary standard is a highly pure, stable, and well-defined substance used as a reference material in chemical analysis. Its use ensures accuracy and reliability in determining the concentration or amount of a particular substance in a sample.
Etymology of PRIMARY STANDARD
The term "primary standard" consists of two words, "primary" and "standard", both with distinct etymologies:
1. Primary: The word "primary" originates from the Latin word "primarius", which means "first" or "foremost". It is derived from the Latin word "primus", meaning "first" or "early". In English, "primary" has been used since the late 15th century to describe something that is first or principal in importance, order, or time.
2. Standard: The word "standard" comes from the Old French word "estandart" or "estendart", which means "a flag" or "banner". It further originates from the Frankish word "standhard", derived from "standan" (to stand) and "harduz" (hard), denoting a military banner around the 12th century.
