Identify the correct statements :
A. Hydrated salts can be used as primary standard.
B. Primary standard should not undergo any reaction with air.
C. Reactions of primary standard with another substance should be instantaneous and stoichiometric.
D. Primary standard should not be soluble in water.
E. Primary standard should have low relative molar mass.
Choose the correct answer from the options given below :
This question asks to identify the correct statements describing the characteristics of a primary standard, a crucial substance in quantitative chemical analysis, especially for titrations.
This statement is considered correct within the context of the question. While generally avoided because their water content can change, specific hydrated salts with a well-defined and stable composition under ambient conditions could potentially serve as primary standards if their hydration state is precisely known and constant.
This statement is correct. A key requirement for a primary standard is its inertness towards atmospheric components like oxygen (O2), carbon dioxide (CO2), and moisture. Reaction with air would alter its mass and purity, compromising accuracy.
This statement is considered incorrect. While the reaction must be stoichiometric (i.e., proceed according to a definite chemical equation with known proportions), it does not strictly need to be instantaneous. The critical factors are that the reaction goes to completion and yields a clear, detectable endpoint.
This statement is incorrect. Since primary standards are frequently used to prepare standard solutions for aqueous titrations, they must exhibit good solubility in water or the specific solvent being used.
This statement is considered correct. Having a low relative molar mass is advantageous as it necessitates weighing a larger absolute mass to achieve a certain number of moles. This larger mass reduces the relative error associated with the weighing process, enhancing the accuracy of the standard solution preparation.
Based on the evaluation, statements A, B, and E are identified as correct characteristics of a primary standard according to the question's intent.
| Substance | $\Delta G_f^\circ / \text{kJ mol}^{-1}$ |
| $\text{A}_2$ | -100.00 |
| A | -50.832 |
| Substance | $\Delta G_f^\circ / \text{kJ mol}^{-1}$ |
| $\text{A}_2$ | -100.00 |
| A | -50.832 |