pH Flashcards
How does water ionise
It self ionises
Write the balanced equation which represents the self ionisation of water
H2O(equilibrium)H+ + OH-
Or
2H2O( equilibrium) H3O+ + OH-
What is the concentration of H+ and OH- ions in pure water
Equal concentration of both
Where does equilibrium lie on the balanced equations of the self ionisation of water
Left due to way more water molecules than H+
Write the expression for the ionic product of water (Kw)
Kw= [H3O+][OH-]
How does the temperature of water affect Kw
As the temperature of water increases Kw increases
A greater degree of self ionisation occurs as higher temperatures
Therefor more H+ and OH- ions are present
Therefore, self ionisation of water is endothermic
Is the self ionisation of water endo or exothermic
Endothermic
Define pH
pH = -log10[H+]
Limitations of the pH scale
Doesn’t work with highly concentrated solutions
Limited to aqueous solutions
How do we measure pH
Electronic pH meter/sensor
Indicators
Where is an electronic pH Meter used
In hospitals to measure the pH of blood and other fluids
Which method of measuring pH is most accurate
Electronic pH meter
Describe how to use Electronic pH meter
Probe is calibrated in a solution to give an accurate reading for pH
Name the 4 indicators
Litmus
Universal indicator
Phenolphthalein
Methyl orange
Describe the colour of litmus in an acid and base
Acid: red
Base: blue
Describe the colour of universal indicator in an acid and base
Match to the colour chart to get pH
Describe the colour of phenolphthalein in an acid and base
Acid: colourless
Base: pink
What is important to remember when writing Ka
Do not include water
RHS on top
LHS on bottom
what does Ka tell you
how strong an acid is, gives an indication to how dissociated an acid is
what does a higher value of Ka mean
the substances on the right side of the balanced equation are in greater amount ie equilibrium lies to the right
the greater the dissociation of acid in water, then there are more ions of the rhs of the equation ie the stronger the acid
what does a lower value of Ka mean
greater amount of substance on the LHS ie equilibrium lies to the left
thus less dissociation in water, acid is weaker
what must be included when writing acid base dissociation equations
WATER
EQUILIBRIUM SIGN
give examples of strong bases
NaOH and KOH
why is there no equilibrium sign in the dissociation balanced equation of a strong base
the reaction goes completely from left to right