4 - Ionic Equilibrium Flashcards
Explain ionization/dissociation
When molecules are dissolved in water and break up into ions which can freely move throughout the solution
What is an ion
A small particle that is electrically charged
What is an electrolyte
Because ions are electrically charged they can transport electrical charge when they are in solution. When they do this they are known as electrolytes
Define an acid and a base
Acid - a substance which increases the H+ (H3O+) concentration when dissolved in water
Base - a substance the increases the OH- concentration when dissolved in water
What is the difference between strong and weak acids/bases
A strong acid/base is one that completely dissociates, while a weak acid/base is one that only partially dissociate
Define monoprotic and polyprotic acids
The molecules of a monoprotic acid contains only one proton and dissociate in one step
The molecules of a polyprotic acid contain more than one proton and dissociate in multiple steps
What is the equation for degree of dissociation
Degree of dissociation (a) = (dissociates electrolyte at eq)/(total electrolyte)
What is autoionization
Proton transfer between two molecules of the same substance (eg.water)
Define the concept of pH
The degree to which a solution in water is acidic or basic. The pH value actually only refers to the proton concentration
What does a buffer consist of
A weak acid and a weak base
What is hydrolysis
The reaction of an ion with water
What is solubility
Solubility is the degree to which a material (solute) will dissolve in another material (solvent)
What is precipitation
The process of dissolved anions and cations combining to form a solid salt
What is the solubility product constant
The product of the concentrations of the dissociated ions involved
Explain what is meant by saturation and supersaturation
Saturation - a point of equilibrium between dissociation and precipitation
Supersaturation - when a solution contains more dissolved salt than the solubility of the salt actually allows
