Final answer:
The first derivative of a titration curve is used to determine the volume of titrant required to reach the equivalence point in a titration experiment. This allows chemists to identify the point at which the analyte and titrant have reacted in stoichiometrically equivalent amounts. The option (D) is correct.
Step-by-step explanation:
In this experiment, the first derivative of a titration curve is used to determine the volume of titrant required to reach the equivalence point of the titration. A titration curve is a plot that represents the change in pH or another solution property versus the volume of added titrant. When performing an acid-base titration, monitoring the pH allows us to track the titration's progress and identify the equivalence point. The first derivative of the titration curve reveals the point where the pH changes most rapidly, which usually corresponds to the equivalence point.
To complete the titration, one would typically use a buret to add the titrant gradually to the analyte. By drawing a vertical line on the curve at the volume corresponding to the equivalence point, as indicated in the provided figure, we can easily identify this critical juncture of the titration process. Therefore, option (D) is correct.