ACIDS & BASES

All acids and bases are solutions. Therefore, a solid understanding of Solution Chemistry and Solution
Equilibrium will guarantee you success in this unit.

I. Defining Acids & Bases:

A. General Characteristics of Acids & Bases:

Properties of Acids Properties of Bases

Ionic compounds which ______________ in H2O to Ionic compounds which dissociate in H2O to give a
give a solution that: solution that:

1. tastes _____________ 1. Tastes _________________

2. conducts _________________ 2. Conducts ____________________.
3. causes __________________ to change colour 3. Causes certain indicators to change colour.
Loses the above properties when neutralized with a 4. Feels __________________
base. But the ending salt solution will still conduct 5. Loses the above properties when neutralized
___________________. with an acid. But resulting salt solution will
still conduct electricity.

B. Definitions of Acids & Bases:

Bronsted Lowry Definition

Arrhenius Definition:

Acid: an ionic compound that dissociates to give Acid: species which _____________ a _________ [H+ (aq)].
__________ ions in solution.
Ex: HNO3 (aq)+ H2O (l)
Ex: HCl (aq)

Base: an ionic compound that dissociates to give Exc: CH3COOH (aq) + H2O (l)
____________ions in solution.

Ex: NaOH (aq) Base: species which _______________ a proton.

Ex: NH3 (aq)+ H2O (l)

+
Hydronium ion (H3 O+):
is a hydrated H ion,
+
meaning it is an H ion dissolved in water.
Exc: CN-1(aq) + H2O (l) HCN (aq) + OH-1(aq)
H3 O+ H+ (aq) Proton
NOTE: H2O can act as both a Bronsted-Lowry acid and a
base. Therefore, water is considered __________________.
 Lewis Acids & Bases

Lewis Acid: any compound that is an ____ __________ acceptor. Lewis acids can form _____________
_______, containing ______________ or ______________________ bonds.
Lewis Base: any compound that is an electron pair ________________. Lewis bases can form ______________
_________, containing ______________ or ______________________ bonds.

This definition lends itself to describing acids and bases that do NOT have OH or H+ in their chemical makeup.

Example: BF3 (g) + NH3 (g) BF3NH3 (l)

Example: SO3 (g) + H2O (l) H2SO4 (aq)

Amphoteric: a species that can act both as a Lewis _______________ and a Lewis ___________, depending on
its reacting partner. (Ex. ZnO(s))

WORKSHEETS: * Writing Acid & Base Equation in Water.

* Questions on Properties of A/B Worksheet

II. Relationships between Acids & Bases:

A. Conjugate Acid Base pairs: molecules and ions that differ only by one proton (or H+).
Conjugate means __________________.

Example: HCN (aq) + H2O (l) H3O+ (aq) + CN- (aq)

Conjugate Acid of CN- :

Conjugate Base of HCN:

Conjugate Acid of H2O:

Conjugate Base of H3O+:

Example: HCO3- (aq) + H2PO4-(aq) H2CO3 (aq) + HPO42-(aq)

 B. Polyprotic Acid: an acid capable of donating _____________________________________.

Example: H3PO4 (aq) + H2O (l) H2PO4- (aq) + H3O+ (aq)

H2PO4-(aq) + H2O (l) HPO42- (aq) + H3O + (aq)

HPO42- (aq) + H2O (l) PO43- (aq) + H3O+ (aq)

Amphiprotic Species: a species can be amphiprotic only if it has the ability to BOTH ______________ a proton
and __________________ a proton.

NOTE: The strength of the polyprotic acid _______________ as more and more of its H+ are removed since the
oxide partner is becoming more and more ___________________, thus creating a stronger attraction for
the H+.

Example:

WORKSHEETS: * Acid & Base Worksheet #1

* Conjugate Acid and Base Equilibria

III. Preparation & Properties of some Common Acids and Bases:

A. Acids:

Categories of Acids:

Binary Acids: Those that contain only H+ and another elemental __________. Can be made by directly
combining the desired element with ______ gas.

Example: H2 (g) + Br2 (g) 2 HBr (g)

Covalent Oxide (Acidic Anhydride): an oxygen containing _______________compound that reacts

with water to produce an ____________________ solution.

Example: P4O10 (s) + H2O (l) 4 H3PO4 (aq)

Example: SO3(g) + H2O(l) H2SO4 (aq)

 (1) Sulfuric Acid: produced by the _____________________ Process.

(a) S(l) + O2 (g) SO2 (g) (c) SO3 (g) + H2SO4 (l) H2S2O7 (l)
catalyst
(b) 2 SO2 (g) + O2 (g) 2 SO3 (g) (d) H2S2O7 (l) + H2O 2 H2SO4 (l)
V 2O 5

Properties: ______________ acid Good neutralizer and strong electrolyte.

Good _____________________ agent.
Great affinity with ___________ and can be used as a __________________ agent.

(2) Hydrochloric acid: soluble in all _______________ ions.

(a) 2 NaCl (s) + H2SO4 (l) Na2SO4 (aq) + 2 HCl (g)

(b) H2O (l) + HCl (g) H3O+ (aq) + Cl- (aq)

(3) Nitric Acid: made by the _______________ Process:

(a) 4 NH3 (g) + 5 O2 (g) 4 NO (g) + 6 H2O (g)

(b) 2 NO (g) + 2 H2O (l) 2 NO2 (g) + 2 H2 (g)

(c) 3 NO2 (g) + H2O (l) 2 HNO3 (aq) + NO (g)

Properties: Has a suffocating odour.

Leaves a ______________ stain on skin due to NO2 being exposed to ____________.

B. Bases:

Sodium Hydroxide (NaOH): is in most household cleaning products. Reacts with fats and proteins to make
soap, a substance that is water soluble. Reaction proceeds fastest in
warm temperature.
NaOH has ability to absorb moisture from the air Thus it is a good
___________________________ agent.

NaOH is made by electrolysis of NaCl dissolved in water. H2 collects at the

cathode and Cl2 collects at the anode.

NaCl (aq) + 2 H2O (l) 2 NaOH (aq) + H2 (g) + Cl2 (g)

Basic Anhydrides (Metallic Oxides): an oxygen containing _______________compound that reacts with
water to give a basic solution.

Example: Na2O(s) + H2O(l) NaOH (aq)

BASIC ANHYDRIDE + ACIDIC ANHYDRIDE SALT

Example: N2O5(g) + Na2O(s) 2 NaNO3(s)

IV. Strengths of Acids & Bases:

A. Strong & Weak Acids:

Strength of an acid depends on the ______________ of _______ions produced per mole of acid.

1) Strong Acid: ionizes _______________ in water.

Reaction goes to completion. NO ____________ exists.

Ex: HNO3 (aq) H+ (aq) + NO3- (aq)

Initial: 1.2 M 0M 0M
Final: 0M 1.2M 1.2M

Reasons why Strong Acids do NOT exhibit equilibrium:

Common Strong Acids: HCl HBr HI HNO3 HClO4 H2SO4

NOTE: All _____________ acids of the ______________ concentration are of equal strength. The
chronological listing is purely arbitrary. (The Leveling Effect).

Strength of the Halide Acids: strength _____________ as you go down the family due to ____________ of
the H+ to halogen due to ___________________ __________ of the halide.

2) Weak Acids: do not _____________________ completely in water.

Equilibrium exists between the ___________ and the un-dissociated molecule.

Example: CH3COOH (aq) + H2O (l) CH3COO- (aq) + H3O+ (aq)

Reasons why Weak Acids go to Equilibrium:

B. Strong & Weak Bases:

1) Strong Base: ionizes completely when dissolved in water. Goes to ___________________.

Presence of the ________ion gives solution its basic characteristic.

Common Strong Bases: Bases formed from _____________metals and heavier ________ metals. Not
all Group 2 bases are completely soluble in water.

NaOH KOH LiOH Sr(OH)2 NH2-1 O-2

Example: KOH (aq) K+ (aq) + OH- (aq)

2) Weak Bases: do not completely ionize.
Equilm exists. A large amount of the compound has not ____________________.

Ex: CN- (aq) + H2O (l) HCN (aq) + OH- (aq)

WORKSHEETS: Acid & Base Worksheet #2

Questions on Strong & Weak A/B

Questions on A/B Reactions.

D. Weak Acids/Bases and Le Chateliers Principle:

All acid-base rxns. can be seen as a_________________ for ____________. The stronger base (more
electronegative species) takes the H+ from the reacting partner. The species that does not behave as
the base is automatically considered as the ____________:

Le Chateliers Principle.:A strong acid will more likely want to donate H+ than a weaker acid. Therefore, at
equilm, rxn. will ________________ the direction of the ______________________ of
the ___________________ acid.

WORKSHEETS: * Le Chateliers Principle Worksheet LAB: 13B Bronsted-Lowry Acid & Base Equilibria.
V. Quantitative Analysis of Acids & Bases: (AHL)
* Questions on Theories of A/B.

A. Ionization of Water and K w :

H2O is considered a ____________________, meaning it wont conduct ________________. However,

a VERY! small amount of H2O molecules do dissociate to form ions.
This means that aside from the acid or base dissociating, our solvent is also slightly dissociating into
ions:
H2O(l) H+ (aq) + OH-1(aq)
1x 10-7M 1x 10-7M (@ 250C)

NOTE: The above reaction is at equilibrium. This means that it too has an Equilibrium Constant.

Kc = [H+] [OH-] Kw = [H+] [OH-]

Temperature Dependence of H2O:

H2O (l) + Energy H+(aq) + OH- (aq)

Increase in Temperature: Shifts equilibrium ____________, and increases concentrations of

______________. Kw ______________.
Decrease in Temperature: shifts reaction left and Kw ____________________.
The addition of either an acid or base to H2O will disturb this 1 H+:1 OH-1 ratio, therefore, resulting in a shift in
equilibrium for water.

Example: Add 1.0M HCl to pure water:

Ex: What is the [H+] and [OH-] for a soln of 0.0010M HCl?

[H+] = 0.0010M

B. Measuring [H3O+] or [OH-1]:

Conc. of acids/base can range from extremely high to extremely low it is easier to express these
[ ] as ______________________.
We call these logged values of [acid] or [base] _______ or ____________.

Logarithms: turns an exponential value of base 10 into an integer.

Ex: 1.00 x 10-5M -log (1.00x 10-5) = 5.000

1.0 x 102 M log (1.0 x 102) = 2.00

Kw = [H+] [OH-]

-log Kw = -log [H+] + -log [OH-]

pH +]
pKw= =-log
pH [H
+ pOH
pOH = -log [OH-]

Sig. Figs for Logs:

Only the digits _______________ the decimal place of a log value is significant.

Ex: - log (5.28 x 10-5) = -log (5.28) + -log (10-5)

 The pH Scale:

Please note that the scale is based on pH, meaning the reference point is that for _____________.
The scale can theoretically extend ____________________.
The well known 1-14 pH scale is actually for solutions at ____________________________ only.

|
pH 1.00 pH 7.00 pH 14.00

[H+]:

Most acidic Neutral Most basic (@ 250C)

NOTE: A change of 1 pH value is equivalent to __________ the concentration change of an acid/base.

Ex. 20cm3 of sulfuric acid is added to 980cm3 of water. Calculate the change in pH of this solution.

Ex: What is the pH of a 0.010M nitric acid soln?

[H+] =

pH =

Ex: A soln of perchloric acid has a pH of 3.00.

(a) What is [H+] of the soln?

pH = - log [H+]

(b) What is the pOH of the soln and its [OH-]?

pH + pOH = 14.00

WORKSHEETS: pH Worksheet
pOH = - log [OH-]
Questions on A/B Calculations

Questions on pH Scale

Topic 8 A/B Review (SL)

C. Weak Acid Equilibrium & Ka: (AHL)
For weak acids, ionization is ________ complete, and it is NOT possible to use the initial conc. of the acid
in the solution to determine pH.
For weak acids, the incomplete ionization results in _______________________.

Example: HF(aq) + H2O (l) H3O+ (aq) + F-(aq)

The equilibrium expression is as follows:

Keq = [H3O+] [F-]

[HF]

Ka = [H3O+] [F-]
, where Ka - Acid Ionization Constant for Weak
[HF] Acids.

NOTE: The higher the Ka value, the _______________ the ionization for the particular acid, the stronger the
acid.
As __________________ changes, the extent of ionization changes.

Example: What pH results when 0.25 mol of acetic acid is dissolved in enough water to make a 2.0L solution?

1. Write the balanced dissociation equation.

2. Look up the ionization constant , Ka, for acetic acid:

3. [CH3COOH] = 0.125M

Because acetic acid is a weak acid, only a small amount of the solution dissociates. Therefore, the change in
[CH3COOH]is negligible. The concentration of acetic acid at equilibrium can be considered the same as its
initial equilibrium.

5% Rule: The above assumption can be made for any weak acid/weak base as long as the Kc value for that
particular acid/base is 1000X smaller than its initial concentration.

ICE Table:
D. Ka & Kb for Conjugate Pairs:

Ka x Kb = Kw Example: Determine the Kb for the weak base methanol

pKa + pKb = pKw

(@ 250C) pKa + pKb = 14.00

(@ 250C) pH + pOH = 14.00

WORKSHEETS: * Ka Worksheet

* Kw Worksheet in Temperature Other than 250C.

E. Weak Base Equilibrium & Kb:

Weak Base: does NOT ionize completely in aqueous solutions. Different bases have varying degrees of
ionizability.
Every weak base also has a corresponding Base Ionization Constant, Kb.

Example: NH3 (aq) + H2O (aq) NH4+ (aq) + OH- (aq)

Kb = [NH4+] [OH-]

[NH3]

Example: Determine the pH for a solution of 0.100M NH3 solution.

1. Balanced equation:

2. Construct an ICE table. (Use 5% Rule if possible)

WORKSHEETS: * Kb Worksheet

* K in Temperatures other than 250C.

* Acid & Base Mid-Unit Review #1, #2

VI. Typical Reactions of Acids & Bases:

A. Formation of Salts (Neutralization Reactions):

Salts: the product of ___________________ reactions.

B. Hydrolysis:

Hydrolysis: when the ions of a soluble salt reacts further with __________.
The resultant equilibrium may be ______________, or __________________.

1. KCl: KCl (aq) K+ (aq) + Cl- (aq)

CATION RULE: Any cation from Family 1 and 2, are ions of strong bases, and will NOT hydrolyze.

ANION RULE: Conjugate bases of strong acids do NOT hydrolyze.

2. NH4NO3 : NH4NO3 (aq) NH4+(aq) + NO3-(aq)

NH4+ : ________________________________.
NO3-: ________________________________.

3. NaHCO3: NaHCO3 (aq) Na+ (aq) + HCO3- (aq)

Na+: ___________________________________.
HCO3-1: _________________________________.

Example: Predict whether a 0.45M solution of NH4CH3COO(aq) will be acidic, basic, or neutral.

NOTE: Some salts contain BOTH a cation and an anion that will hydrolyze. In such cases, the resulting
solution may be acidic, basic, or neutral, depending on the relative extent of the hydrolysis.

NH4+ : will hydrolyze -

CH3COO-1: will hydrolyze -

To determine the overall acidity or alkalinity of the solution, compare Ka to Kb values.

 Example: Determine the pH of a 0.50M NH4C6H5COO solution.

NOTE: Salt hydrolysis also occurs for compounds whose metal ___________________ is high, such as
_________, sometimes ________ compounds.

Ex. CuSO4(aq) Ex. Al2(SO4)3(aq) Ex. FeCl3(aq)

LAB: 13D Hydrolysis The reaction of Ions with Water. WORKSHEETS: Hydrolysis Worksheet

Questions on Salt Hydrolysis

VII. Buffer Solutions:

Buffer solutions: equilibrium system that maintains a relatively constant _______ when excess amounts of
acid or base is added.

A. Buffer Preparation & Action:

Buffers: can be prepared by combining appreciable amounts of a weak acid/base with its _________.

Example: CH3COOH + H2O H3O+ (aq) + CH3COO- (aq)

0.500M (Before addn of salt)

Salt to be added:

Resulting Buffer Solution:

Henderson-Hasselbach Equation for Buffers:

 Example: CH3COOH + H2O H3O+ (aq) + CH3COO- (aq)
0.500M 0.500M

(i) pH of Buffer Solution before addition of excess acid or base:

(ii) Addition of excess acid: 0.010 mol of HCl added to 1.0L of buffer solution.

(iii) Addition of excess Base: 0.010 mol of NaOH added to 1.0L of buffer solution.

Example: Calculate the pH of a buffer containing 0.20mole of NaCH3COO in 500cm3 of 0.10moldm-3

ethanoic acid. (Ka = 1.8 x 10-5).

Example: Calculate the mass of NaCH3CH2COO needed to to dissolve in 1.00dm3 of 1.00moldm-3

propanoic acid (pKa = 4.87) to give a buffer solution that has a pH of 4.5.

WORKSHEETS: Buffers Worksheet

LAB: Buffers Lab Questions on Buffers
VIII. Indicators:

Indicators are weak acids or bases. Usually however, they are weak _____________.

HIn (aq) + H2O(aq) H3 O+ (aq) + In- (aq) (Weak Acid Indicator)

Depending on the form of the indicator at the moment, it can take on different _________________.

Ionization Constant for Indicators: Ka = [H3O+] [In-]

[HIn]

..at the transition point, the colour just begins to change because [HIn] = [In-]. Ka = [H3O+]
Example: Determine the Ka for the chemical indicator phenolphthalein.

Phenolphthalein pH range: 8.2 10.6

Assume the transition point lies ___________________ these two pH values.

WORKSHEETS: Indicators Worksheet

Questions on Indicators

IX. Titration:

HCl (aq) + NaOH (aq) NaCl (aq) + H2O (aq)

Equivalence Point: the point at which the __________ ratio of reactants in the beaker is equivalent to
the mole ratio described by the _________________ equation.

In a rxn. of a strong acid & strong base, there is a dramatic change in ________ at the equivalence
point. This fact aides in the finding of the equivalence point - Thus titration is born.

Standard Solutions: a solution of _______________ concentration.

Example: It is found that 42.5 mL of 1.02M NaOH have been added to 50.0 mL of vinegar when the
phenolphthalein in the solution just turns pink. What is the [vinegar]?
 (i) Primary Standards: when a highly _____________ substance of known composition is used to react
with a substance to be _____________________.

Example: A solution of HCl is standardized using pure Na2CO3 (s) as a primary standard. What is the [HCl]
solution if 60.00 mL of this solution are needed to titrate a 1.000g sample of sodium carbonate?
Na2CO3 (s) + 2 HCl (aq) 2 NaCl (aq) + H2O (l) + CO2 (g)

LAB: Analysis of Aspirin Tablet WORKSHEET: Titration Worksheet #1, #2

(ii) Equivalence Point vs. Transition Point:

Equivalence Point (Stoichiometric Point): refers to the ____________ point of the titration.
Transition Point: refers to the point where the indicator just begins to change ______________.
Ideally, the transition and equivalence point should be reached _____________________________.

(a) Strong Acid/Strong Base Titration Curves:

NaOH(aq) + HCl(aq) NaCl(aq) + H2O(l) (Indicator = Phenolphalein)

pH

Volume of NaOH titrated (Titrant)

 For a strong acid/strong base titration, the equivalence point is always __________. This means that an
______________ whose transition point lies between _______________ can be used.
The ___________ from the neutralization reaction does not _______________ because it is the product of
strong acid and base.

(b) Weak Acid/Strong Base Titration Curves:

CH3COOH(aq) + NaOH(aq)_ NaCH3COO(aq) + H2O(l) (Indicator: Phenolphathlein)

pH

Volume of NaOH titrated

NOTE: A weak acid is capable of demonstrating ____________________ action when a __________ is added.
This buffer action is what causes for the ___________________ rise in pH in this region of the curve.

At the Equivalence Point: The solution is ___________ neutral!

Example: Determine the pH at the following points when 50.0mL of 0.10M acetic acid is titrated with 0.10M
NaOH.

(a) The pH of the solution of acetic acid when no NaOH is yet added.
 (b) When 10.0mL of 0.10M NaOH has been added.

At the mid-point of the titration.

(d) At the equivalence point when 50.0mL of NaOH has been added.

NOTE: At the equivalence point is where _______ of the original CH3COOH has been consumed.
The equilibrium then is as follows:

(c) Strong Acid/Weak Base Titration:

NH3 (aq) + H+(aq) NH4+ (aq) + H2O (l) (Indicator: methyl red)

pH

Volume of HCl added

Example: Determine the pH at the following points of the titration between 100.0mL of 0.050M NH3 with
0.10M HCl.

(a) Before any HCl is added.

(b) At mid-point of the titration:

(c) At equivalence point where 50.0mL of HCl has been added.

(d) When 60.0mL of HCl has been added.

WORKSHEETS: * Titration Worksheet #3

* Questions on A/B Titrations

* Topic 8/18 A/B Review #1, #2

LAB: pKa of a Weak Acid
* A/B Unit Review IB

* A/B Unit Review Booklet