Module 5: Chapter 21 - Buffers and Neutralisation Flashcards
What are pH indicators?
pH indicators are weak acids where HA and A⁻ are different colours. At low pH, HA is the main species present. At high pH A⁻ is the main species present. The pH at which the colour changes varies from one indicator to another.
HA ⇌ H⁺ + A⁻
What is universal indicator?
Universal indicator is a mixture of indicators and so shows many colours at different pH’s
What is the colour of HA in methyl orange?
red
What is the colour of A⁻ in methyl orange?
Yellow
What is the colour of HA in phenolphthalein?
colourless
What is the colour of A⁻ in phenolphthalein?
pink
What is the pH range of colour change for methyl orange?
3.2 - 4.4
What is the pH range of colour change for phenolphthalein?
8.2 - 10.0
What is the significance of the pH range of colour change for an indicator?
In a titration, the pH changes rapidly at the end point as the last drop of acid/alkali is added. For an indicator to change colour at this moment where the moles of acid = moles of base, the indicator must change colour within the range of the rapid pH change at the end point (vertical section on a pH titration curve). Ideally the end point and equivalence point would coincide.
What are pH curves?
graphs showing how the pH changes as an alkali is added to an acid (or vice versa)
What is the equivalence point?
The equivalence point of a titration is the volume of one solution that exactly reacts with the volume of another solution - the moles of alkali added equals the moles of acid present
When does the pH curve usually show a rapid change in pH for and acid-alkali reaction?
around the equivalence point
What is the end point of a titration?
The point in a titration where the indicator changes colour; the end point indicates when the reaction is just complete. It is when the indicator contains equal concentrations of HA and A⁻
Why is choosing a suitable indicator important for titrations?
So that the end point coincides with the equivalence point
What are the 4 distinct parts to this question?
You must find the pH:
1. Before adding the acid
2. When the NaOH is still in excess
3. At the equivalence point
4. When the acid is in excess
Calculate the pH before adding the acid:
pH = 13
Calculate the pH when the NaOH is still in excess (When 10cm³ and 24cm³ have been added)
After 10cm³, pH = 12.63
After 24cm³, pH = 11.31
Calculate the pH at the equivalence point
pH = 7
How can you identify the equivalence point on a titration curve?
It is in the middle of the near vertical portion of the curve
Describe each point on this pH curve:
- No base added, so pH is the pH of the original acid
- Start of vertical portion of curve (close to equivalence point)
- Equivalence point (this is the middle of the near vertical portion of the curve)
- End of the vertical portion of the curve
- Base is in excess, so final pH ≈ pH of base
What is the significance of the pKa of a pH indicator?
An indicator would be suitable if its pKa value falls within the vertical section of the titration curve
Why may the pH of solution at the equivalence point not be 7?
When neutralised, weak acids and bases can form solution with pH ≠7. For example, titrating NH₃ with HCl forms NH₄Cl, which has acidic properties (pKa = 9.3) and therefore forms a weakly acidic solution at the equivalence point
What is a buffer solution?
A solution that resists cahnges in pH when small amounts of acid or alkali are added (the pH does slightly change but it is miniscule)
What is the pH of an acidic buffer?
less than 7
What is the pH of a basic buffer?
greater than 7
How are acidic buffers produced?
- From a mixture of a weak acid and one of its salts, HA and A⁻ (e.g. ethanoic acid & sodium ethanoate)
- From a mixture of an excess of a weak acid with a strong alkali (as it results in a mixture of HA and A⁻)
What is important with an acidic buffer?
[acid] and [salt] is much greater than [H⁺]
How is a basic buffer produced?
- From a mixture of a weak alkali and one of its salts (e.g. ammonia & ammonium chloride)
- From a mixture of an excess of a weak alkali with a strong acid
What is important with a basic buffer?
[base] and [salt] is much greater than [OH⁻]
What are the components of a basic buffer?
Weak base + one of its salts
[base] & [salt]»_space; [OH⁻]
What are the components of an acidic buffer?
Weak acid + one of its salts
[acid] & [salt]»_space; [H⁺]
What happens when you add a little H⁺ to an acidic buffer?
HA ⇌ H⁺ + A⁻
The added H⁺ is removed by the reaction with A⁻ to form HA
The [A⁻] falls slightly and the [HA] rises slightly, but as [HA] & [A⁻]»[H⁺], the ratio of [HA]/[A⁻] remains roughly constant and therefore the pH stays constant
What happens when you add a little OH⁻ to an acidic buffer?
HA ⇌ H⁺ + A⁻
The added OH⁻ reacts with H⁺, and so some of the HA breaks down to replace the H⁺.
The [A⁻] rises slightly and the [HA] falls slightly, but as [HA] & [A⁻]»_space; [H⁺], the ratio of [HA]/[A⁻] remains roughly constant and therefore the pH stays constant