Chapter 16: Acids and Bases Flashcards
What is the Arrhenius definition of an acid?
A substance that produces H+ ions in aqueous solution.
What is the Arrhenius definition of a base?
A substance that produces OH- ions in aqueous solution.
What does the strength of an acid or a base depend on?
The extent of the electrolyte’s dissociation into its component ions.
What is a strong acid?
An acid that completely dissociates (ionizes) in solution.
What is a weak acid?
An acid that partially dissociates (ionizes) in solution.
What is a strong base?
A base that completely dissociates (ionizes) in solution.
What is a weak base?
A base that partially dissociates (ionizes) in solution.
What is the Bronsted-Lowry definition of an acid?
A proton (H+) donor.
What is the Bronsted-Lowry definition of a base?
A proton (H+) acceptor.
What are amphoteric substances?
Substances that can act as acids or bases.
What is a conjugate acid-base pair?
Two substances related to each other by the transfer of a proton.
What is a conjugate acid?
Any base to which a proton has been added.
What is a conjugate base?
Any acid from which a proton has been removed.
What are the factors of a molecule that affect the ease with which a hydrogen is donated (and therefore makes the molecule acidic)?
- The polarity of the bond
- The strength of the bond
In order for HY to be acidic, the H–Y bond must be what?
The H–Y bond must be polarized with the hydrogen atom as the positive pole because hydrogen must be lost from the acid as a positively charged ion. A partial positive charge on the hydrogen atom facilitates its loss.
Why isn’t LiH acidic?
It is ionic with the negative charge on the hydrogen atom. (H is more electronegative than Li)
Why isn’t the C–H bond acidic?
It is virtually nonpolar because the electronegativities of carbon and hydrogen are similar; therefore, C–H is not acidic.
Why is the H–F bond acidic?
The H–F bond is polar with the positive charge on the hydrogen atom.
How does the strength of the H–Y bond relate to the strength of an acid? Why?
The stronger the H–Y bond, the weaker the acid. The more tightly the hydrogen atom is held, the less likely it is to come off.