October 15 - Acid-Base Problem Solving

Question 1

Identifying acids/bases

What are the 3 things to look for?

Answer 1

1. Positive or negative charge
2. Know strong acids
3. Neutral nitrogen = weakly basic

Positive charge = probably acid
Negative charge = probably base
Strong acids are very likely to act as acids
Neutral nitrogen is weakly basic

If none of the three work, look at the pKa chart

Question 2

How to calculate Keq

Answer 2

Keq = 10^CA-A

CA: conjugate acid
A: acid