General Chemistry II - Worksheet 6: Acids and Bases

Model 1: Strong and Weak Acids

A strong acid is one that is essentially 100% dissociated in water: if 1.0 mole of the acid is added to enough
water to make a 1.0 L solution, the solution will have [H3O+(aq)] = 1.0 M and will be pH = 1.

A weak acid is one that is significantly less than 100% dissociated in water: if 1.0 mole of the acid is added to
enough water to make a 1.0 L solution, the solution will have [H3O+(aq)] < 1.0 M and will be pH > 1.

When an acid HA is placed in water, H3O+(aq) ions are produced according to the reaction:

HA(aq) + H2O(l) H3O+(aq) + A(aq)

Ka =

Critical thinking questions

1. What are the major species present in a solution of a strong acid like HCl?

2. What are the major species present in a solution of a weak acid like CH3COOH?

3. Under what pH conditions would CH3COO-(aq) be the dominant species in a solution of CH3COOH?

4. Write down the equilibrium expression, Ka, for CH3COOH.

5. What are the major species present in a solution of a weak base like CH3NH2?

6. Under what pH conditions would CH3NH3+(aq) be the dominant species?

7. The extent of ionization of a drug helps determine how it is distributed in the body because ions are less
likely to cross cell membranes than uncharged molecules. Are the two drugs below likely to be absorbed
in (i) the acid environment of the stomach or (ii) the basic environment of the intestine?

Model 2: A Solution Containing a Weak Acid

 Acids and Bases
+
As a strong acid is one that is essentially 100% dissociated in water: pH = -log10[H3O (aq)] = -log[HA]initial
As a weak acid is significantly less than 100% dissociated in water, an equilibrium must be considered:
HA(aq) + H2O(l) H3O+(aq) + A(aq)
Ka =

Calculating the pH requires that the equilibrium value of [H3O+(aq)] be first calculated. To do this, the ‘ICE’
approach covered in Model 3 of Worksheet 4 can be followed. Consider a 2.0 M solution of CH3COOH:

CH3COOH (aq) H2O(l) CH3COO(aq) H3O+(aq)

initial 2.00 large 0 0
change -x -x +x +x
equilibrium 2.00 - x large +x +x

As hardly any weak acid dissociates, x is very small and so 2.00 – x ≈ 2.00. Using this approximation, the
equilibrium constant can then be written down as:

Ka = = ≈ and so x = [H3O+(aq)] =

After working out [H3O+(aq)], the pH and percentage dissociation of the weak acid can be calculated:

pH = -log[H3O+(aq)] and % dissociation = × 100%

Critical thinking questions

1. What are the initial and final concentrations of CH3COOH in the ICE table above? How are they related
when the small x approximation is used?

2. Using your answer to Q1, write down a formula for x for any dilute weak acid.

3. Calculate the pH and percentage dissociation of the acetic acid as it is diluted (Ka = 10-4.76).
(a) 2.00 M pH = (c) 0.500 M pH =

% dissociation = % dissociation =

(b) 1.00 M pH = (d) 0.250 M pH =

% dissociation = % dissociation =

4. Complete the graph below showing how the percentage dissociation changes with the initial concentration.
 Acids and Bases

5. Carefully explain in words what happens to the amount of dissociation of a weak acid as it is diluted.

6. What are the major species present in a 1.00 M solution of acetic acid?

Model 3: Addition of Strong Base to a Solution of a Weak Acid

Model 2 describes the pH and extent of dissociation of a solution of a weak acid. If a strong base, such as
NaOH, is added to this solution, it will react with the weak acid.
HA(aq) + OH(aq)  A(aq) + H2O(aq) Ka =

As long as the amount of OH-(aq) added is less than the amount of CH3COOH(aq) present, the solution will
contain both CH3COO-(aq) and left over CH3COOH(aq). A solution like this containing both a weak acid and
its conjugate base will have a pH given by the Henderson-Hasselbalch equation:

pH = pKa + log = pKa + log

Critical thinking questions

1. If 0.100 mol of NaOH(s) is added to a 1.00 L solution of 0.500 M CH3COOH, it will react to form a
solution which is 0.100 M in CH3COO-(aq) and 0.400 M CH3COOH(aq). What is the pH of this
solution? (pKa (CH3COOH) = 4.76).

2. Complete the table below showing the concentrations of CH3COOH(aq) and CH3COO-(aq) and the pH of
the solution as more NaOH(s) is added to this solution. (Hint: see Model 2 for the first column)

Amount of NaOH(s) added (mol) 0.000 0.100 0.200 0.300 0.400 0.500
[CH3COOH(aq)] (M) 0.500 0.400
[CH3COO-(aq)] (M) 0.000 0.100
pH
 Acids and Bases
3. To react completely with the original CH3COOH, 0.500 mol of NaOH must be added. What is the pH of
the solution when exactly half this amount is added?

4. Using the data from Q2, complete the graph below showing how the percentage of CH3COOH(aq) and
CH3COO-(aq) changes with pH. This is called a speciation plot.

Model 4: Neutralizing a Weak Acid

Model 3 describes the pH changes as a strong base is added to a solution containing a weak acid. The strong
base reacts with the weak acid leading to a solution containing the conjugate base of the weak acid and any left
over acid. The equivalence point occurs when enough base has been added so that there is no acid left. At this
point, the solution contains only the conjugate base.
The pH of the solution of the conjugate base of a weak acid can be calculated by considering the equilibrium it is
involved in. The calculation is very similar to that in Model 2.
A(aq) + H2O(l) HA(aq) + OH(aq)
Kb =

From the chemical equation, at equilibrium:

[HA(aq)] = [OH(aq)] and [A(aq)] = [A(aq)]initial – [HA(aq)]
As hardly any base reacts, [A(aq)]initial – [HA(aq)] ≈ [A(aq)]initial and so:

Kb = and [OH-(aq)] =

After working out [OH-(aq)], the pOH can be calculated using pOH = -log[OH-(aq)]. Finally, the pH can then
be calculated using pH = 14.00 – pOH.

Critical thinking questions

1. To react completely with the original CH3COOH in Q5, 0.500 mol of NaOH must be added. What will
be [CH3COO-(aq)] when this occurs?

2. Calculate the pH of the solution in Q1. Correct your entry in the final column of the table in Model 3 if
required! (Hint: remember that pKa + pKb = 14.00 or Ka × Kb = 10-14.00)
 Acids and Bases
Model 5: Solubility and pH
Metal hydroxides dissolve to give metal ions and hydroxide ions. For example,

Fe(OH)3(s) Fe3+(aq) + 3OH-(aq)

The position of the equilibrium (i.e. the solubility) is very sensitive to pH since this controls [OH-(aq)].
All forms of life depend on iron and the concentration of iron in the oceans and elsewhere is one of the primary
factors limiting the growth rates of the most basic life forms. One reason for the low availability of iron(III) is
the insolubility of Fe(OH)3 which has a Ksp of only 1 x 10--39.
Critical thinking questions
1. Write down the expression for the solubility product, Ksp, for Fe(OH)3.

2. The pH of the oceans is currently 8.179. Use this to work out [OH-(aq)].

3. If x moles of Fe(OH)3 dissolve in 1.00 L of water, [Fe3+(aq)] = x mol L-1. Use your answers to Q1 and
Q2 to work out x in the ocean.

4. If the amount of CO2 in the atmospheres increases, the pH of the oceans will decrease due to the
equilibrium below. What will happen to [Fe3+(aq)]?
CO2(g) + H2O(l) HCO3- + H3O+(aq)

5. The concentration of Fe3+ in our blood is about 10-6 M. Assuming a typical blood pH of 7.4, calculate
the concentration of free Fe3+ in our blood and account for any difference with the actual concentration.

Model 6: To dissolve or not to dissolve?

The solubility product gives the maximum values of the ion concentrations that are allowed. If
their concentrations are such that their product is less than Ksp, then more solid can dissolve. If
[Mg2+(aq)][OH-(aq)]2 < Ksp then more solid can dissolve
If their concentrations are such that their product is more than Ksp then the concentrations must reduce:
precipitation must occur.
If [Mg 2+(aq)][OH-(aq)]2 > Ksp then precipitation must occur
The value of the product can thus be used to predict whether dissolution or precipitation can occur. Because of
its importance, it is called the ‘ionic product‘ and given the symbol Qsp:
Qsp = [Mg 2+(aq)][OH-(aq)]2
 Acids and Bases
If Qsp < Ksp then dissolution will occur. If Qsp > Ksp then precipitation will occur.

Critical thinking questions

1. A solution is made by mixing 500.0 mL of 0.12 M NaOH solution with 500.0 mL of 0.10 M
Mg(NO3)2.
Ksp is 1.8 × 10-11
(a) Assuming that no reaction occurs, what will [Mg2+(aq)] and [OH-(aq)] be after mixing?

(b) Write down the value of the ionic product, Qsp.

(c) Does a precipitate form?

2. For each of the following experiments, predict whether or not a precipitate of MgF2 will form. Ksp
MgF2(s) = 6.4 × 10-9

(a) 500.0 mL of 0.050 M Mg(NO3)2 is mixed with 500.0 mL of 0.010 M NaF

(b) 500.0 mL of 0.050 M Mg(NO3)2 is mixed with 500.0 mL of 0.0010 M NaF.

Model 7: The Stability of Complexes

Complexes contain a metal ion bonded to ligands. Most transition metal ions exist in aqueous solution as aqua
complexes [M(OH2)m]n+ The stability of a complex can be measured using the stability constant or Kstab. This is
just an equilibrium constant, like the others you have met, and represents the formation of the complex from the
aquo ion and the ligands. For example,

Ag+(aq) + 2CN−(aq) [Ag(CN)2]−(aq)

Critical thinking questions

1. The Kstab values for [Zn(NH3)4]2+ and [Cu(NH3)4]2+ are 1 × 109 and 1 x 1013 respectively.

(a) Which complex ion is more stable?

(b) Excess NH3 is added to a solution containing equal amounts of Zn2+(aq) and Cu2+(aq). Does
the resulting solution contain more uncomplexed Zn2+(aq) or Cu2+(aq)?

2. The ligand EDTA4– forms very stable complexes with metal ions such as Ca2+. It is administered as
the complex [Ca(EDTA)]2– to treat lead poisoning.
(a) Is Kstab larger for [Ca(EDTA)]2– or [Pb(EDTA)]2–?
 Acids and Bases
2–
(b) Why do you think it is administered as [Ca(EDTA)] ?

We are often interested in working out exactly how much of a metal ion is not complexed. Consider a
solution prepared by mixing 0.0200 M silver nitrate (10.0 mL) with 1.00 M sodium cyanide (10.0 mL).
3. Without performing a calculation, how much free Ag+ would you expect to be present in this
solution once complexation has occurred? (Hint: remember that Kstab = 1 x 1020 and CN- is present
in excess)

4. After mixing, what are the initial concentrations of Ag+ and CN-?

[Ag+]init = [CN-]init =

5. From the chemical equation, each mole of Ag+ reacts with two moles of CN-. What is the
equilibrium concentration of CN- ?

[CN-]equilibrium =

6. Virtually all of the Ag+ initially present reacts to form the complex [Ag(CN)2-], so

[Ag(CN)2-] equilibrium ≈ [Ag+]init =

7. Finally, substitute your values from Q5 and Q6 into the expression for Kstab and solve to work out
[Ag+].

8. What do you predict will happen if 1 mL of 1.00 M NH3 is added to this solution? (Kstab = 1 × 107
for [Ag(NH3)2]+.)

9. What is the concentration of copper(II) ion in a solution made by dissolving copper(II) sulfate
(0.100 mole) and ammonia (2.00 mole) in water and making up to 500 mL? (Kstab = 1 × 1013 for
[Cu(NH3)4]2+.)