Inflection Point
Definition
An inflection point on a titration curve is where the curve changes from being concave up to concave down, or vice versa. It often corresponds to the equivalence point in a titration.
Analogy
Think of an inflection point as the peak of a roller coaster ride. Just as you reach the top (the inflection point), there's a dramatic shift - instead of going up, you start going down!
Related terms
Concavity: In mathematics, this refers to how a curve bends. A curve is said to be concave up if it opens upwards like a cup and concave down if it opens downwards.
Second Derivative Test: A method used in calculus to determine whether a given stationary point is a maximum, minimum, or inflection point.
Equivalence Point: As mentioned earlier, this is when exactly enough titrant has been added to react with all of the analyte (the substance being analyzed) in a chemical reaction.
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