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Difference Between Endpoint and Equivalence Point for JEE Main 2024

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An Introduction of Endpoint and Equivalence Point

Endpoint and equivalence point are the two terminologies that are used in analytical chemistry in titrations. Titration is the volumetric analysis of a sample. This article explains these concepts along with the key differences between endpoint and equivalence point. Endpoint and equivalence points are two different stages that occur in the process of titration. An equivalence point is defined as a stage when the total number of moles of two solutions become equal. On the other hand, the endpoint follows the equivalent point. It represents a stage where it indicates the completion of the reaction with a change in colour or intensity.


Titration Technique of  Analytical Chemistry 

Titration is a technique used in analytical chemistry to determine the concentration of unknown solutions by using solutions of known concentration. Solution of known concentration is known as titrant while the solution of unknown concentration is known as analyte in titration technique.


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As we all know, the number of diabetes patients is increasing day by day worldwide. Do you know the drugs used for the treatment of diabetes contain metals in a specific amount? The metal content in a drug can be determined by titration techniques (complexometric titrations). It is a very useful, simple, and low-cost technique for various medicinal applications in the pharmaceutical field. So, you should have a good understanding of the titration technique. 


To understand the titration technique, you need to have a clear understanding of the terms related to it such as a pipette, burette, titrant, analyte endpoint and equivalence point, etc. Generally, students get confused between endpoint and equivalence point; so, in this article, we will discuss these two terms clearly and comparatively in detail. 


Endpoint and equivalence points are closely related and confusable. Both the points show very important stages of titration during performing the titration experiment. Still, both points are different and show two different stages of titration.

 

What is an Endpoint?

The endpoint in titration refers to the point at which the indicator changes colour in the colourimetric titration. For example, in complexometric titration, if Eriochrome Black T is used as an indicator, then at the endpoint, colour changes from wine red to blue.

 

What is the Equivalence Point? 

The equivalence point is also known as a stoichiometric point in the titration. During titration, the point at which the added titrant is chemically equivalent to the analyte in the sample is called the equivalence point. 


Difference Between Equivalence Point and Endpoint

The differences between equivalence point and endpoint are given below.


S.No.

Equivalence point 

Endpoint 

1

The point in the titration process where the chemical reaction in the titration mixture ends is called the equivalence point.

The point in the titration process which is indicated by the colour change of the indicator is called the endpoint. 

2

It is the point where the analyte has completely reacted with the titrant. 

It doesn’t always give the point where the analyte has completely reacted with the titrant. 

3

It is not always indicated by the colour change of the reaction mixture. 

It is always indicated by the colour change of the reaction mixture. 

4

It gives the point where the reaction ends. 

It doesn’t always give the point where the reaction ends. 

5

It comes either almost with an endpoint or before the endpoint.

It comes either almost with the equivalence point or after the equivalence point.

6

Weak acids can show multiple equivalence points during titration. 

Weak acids can show only one endpoint during titration. 


Conclusion

The article explained the two terminologies of analytic chemistry and discussed the difference between them as well. The above-mentioned points were the key difference between endpoint and equivalence point.