Blank Determinations

A blank contains the reagents and solvents used in a determination, but no analyte. Often, many of the sample constituents are added to simulate the analyte environment, which is called the sample matrix. In a blank determination, all steps of the analysis are performed on the blank material. The results are then applied as a correction to the sample measurements. Blank determinations reveal errors due to interfering contaminants from the reagents and vessels employed in the analysis. Blanks are also used to correct titration data for the volume of reagent needed to cause an indicator to change color.