Acid number – Definition & Meaning

Acid number is a term that is commonly used in the field of chemistry. It is a measure of the amount of acid present in a substance. The acid number is an important parameter in the analysis of oils, fats, and other organic compounds. In this article, we will explore the definition and meaning of acid number, its origin, and its associations.

Definitions

Acid number is defined as the number of milligrams of potassium hydroxide (KOH) required to neutralize the free fatty acids present in one gram of a substance. It is a measure of the amount of acid present in a substance. The acid number is used to determine the quality of oils and fats used in the production of food, cosmetics, and other products.

Origin

The concept of acid number was first introduced by the German chemist Carl Reimann in 1853. He developed a method to determine the amount of free fatty acids present in oils and fats. This method involved titration of the sample with a base, such as potassium hydroxide, to neutralize the acid. The amount of base required to neutralize the acid was then used to calculate the acid number.

Meaning in different dictionaries

The meaning of acid number is consistent across different dictionaries. It is defined as the number of milligrams of potassium hydroxide required to neutralize the free fatty acids present in one gram of a substance.

Associations

The acid number is an important parameter in the analysis of oils, fats, and other organic compounds. It is used to determine the quality of these substances and their suitability for use in various products. The acid number is also used to monitor the progress of chemical reactions, such as the hydrolysis of esters.

Synonyms

The acid number is also known as the neutralization number, the acid value, and the free fatty acid value.

Antonyms

There are no antonyms for acid number as it is a specific parameter used in chemistry.

The same root words

The root words of acid number are acid and number. Acid refers to a substance that has a pH less than 7 and can donate a hydrogen ion. Number refers to a numerical value used to quantify a parameter.

Example Sentences

  • The acid number of the oil sample was found to be 5 mg KOH/g.
  • The acid number is used to determine the quality of the oil used in the production of cosmetics.
  • The acid number of the fat sample was higher than the acceptable limit.
  • The acid number is an important parameter in the analysis of organic compounds.
  • The acid number of the ester was monitored during the hydrolysis reaction.
Like this post? Please share to your friends:
Words Wiki
Leave a Reply

;-) :| :x :twisted: :smile: :shock: :sad: :roll: :razz: :oops: :o :mrgreen: :lol: :idea: :grin: :evil: :cry: :cool: :arrow: :???: :?: :!: