O 2 - Equilibria (Acid-Base) Flashcards
What is a Bronsted-Lowry acid and base?
Bronsted-Lowry acid: proton donor
Bronsted-Lowry base: proton acceptor
What is the proton donor and acceptor in this reaction:
HNO2(s) + H2)(l) –> H3O+(aq) + NO2-(aq)
Proton donor: HNO2(aq)
Proton acceptor: H2O(l)
What is a conjugate acid-base pair?
A conjugate acid-base pair contains two species that can be easily converted by transferring a proton
Acid 1 Base 2 Acid 2 Base 1 E.g. HCl(aq) + H2O(l) <=> H3O+(aq) + Cl-(aq) HCl and Cl- are conjugate acid-base pairs H2O and H3O+ are conjugate acid-base pairs
What is a strong acid?
A strong acid is an acid that completely dissociates in solution:
HCl(aq) <=> H+(aq) + Cl-(aq)
What is a strong base?
A strong base is a base that completely dissociates in solution:
NaOH(aq) <=> Na+(aq) + OH-(aq)
What is a weak acid?
A weak acid is an acid that only partially dissociates in solution:
CH3COOH(aq) <=> CH3COO-(aq) + H+(aq)
What is the acid dissociation constant?
It measures, quantitatively, the strength of acid in solution
Ka = [H+][A-] / [HA]
What is pKa?
pKa = -logKa
pKa values are much more manageable than Ka values and make it easier to compare the strengths of solutions
What is pH?
It is an easier way of measuring hydrogen ion concentration
There’s a large range of [H+] values with negative powers of 10. The negative logarithm of [H+] gives a more manageable scale of 1 to 14 rather than 10^-1 to 10^-14
How can you measure the pH of a solution?
With a pH probe or using pH scales with a suitable indicator
How do you calculate the pH of a strong acid?
HA <=> H+ + A-
Strong acid: therefore the concentration of acid = concentration of H+ ions
pH = -log[H+]
How can you calculate the pH of a strong base?
XOH <=> X+ + OH-
Strong base: therefore concentration of base = concentration of OH- ions
Kw = [H+][OH-] so [H+] = Kw / [OH-]
pH = -log[H+]
How do you calculate the pH of a weak acid?
HA <=> H+ + A-
Write Ka expression: Ka = [H+][A-] / [HA]
We can assume [H+] = [A-] so: Ka = [H+]^2 / [HA]
Rearrange to make [H+] the subject: [H+] = (root) Ka[HA]
pH = -log[H+]
What is a buffer?
A system that minimises pH changes on addition of small amounts of an acid or base
How do buffers work?
E.g. CH3COOH(aq) <=> CH3COO-(aq) + H+(aq)
- Upon addition of acid: More H+ ions are present in the solution and so combine with CH3COO-(aq) to form CH3COOH. The reverse reaction is favoured and the position of equilibrium shifts to the left
- Upon addition of base: More OH- ions are present in the solution and so combine with H+ to form H2O. The forward reaction is favoured and the position of equilibrium shifts to the right