Chapters 14 & 15 Combo

Day Topic Homework

1 Define acid/base, conjugates, Kw Chapter 14 #29-45 (odd only)--Start
2 pH/pOH scales, Strong Acids/bases Chapter 14 #29-45 (odd only)--Finish
3 Weak Acids, Ka Chapter 14 #47-69 (odd)
4 Weak Bases, Kb, Ka vs Kb, salts Chapter 14 ???

5 Chemical Structure & Properties Chapter 14 #71-97 (odd only)

(Skip this day if necessary)
6 Common Ion Effect Chapter 14 #99-123 (odd) & Outline 15.1-15.3

7 Buffers Chapter 15 #21-49 (odd)

8 Titrations (strong-strong) Chapter 15 #53, 54, 61c & Outline 15.4 & 15.5

9 Titrations (weak-strong) Chapter 15 #51, 55, 57, 58, 61a, 63

10 Titrations (strong-weak) Chapter 15 #52, 56, 59, 60, 61b, 62, 64
11-13 Day 1 (strong-strong) Day 2 (strong-weak) Day 3 finish up & start posters
14-15 Ksp Calculations Chapter 15 #73-95 odd
16-17 Poster Presentations
18-19 Test Days
• rn
• Arrhenius acids and bases(Opens a modal)
• Arrhenius definition of acids and bases(Opens a modal)
• pH, pOH, and the pH scale(Opens a modal)
• Brønsted-Lowry acid base theory(Opens a modal)
• Brønsted-Lowry definition of acids and bases(Opens a modal)
• Autoionization of water(Opens a modal)
• Water autoionization and Kw(Opens a modal)
• Definition of pH(Opens a modal)
• pH, pOH of strong acids and bases(Opens a modal)
• Strong acids and strong bases(Opens a modal)
• Acid strength, anion size, and bond energy
 Acids & Bases

What are the common properties of acids and bases?

•Acids = taste sour & corrosive
•Bases = taste bitter & feel slippery
 What are acids & bases?
1. Arrhenius
– Acids: give H+ (increases [H+])

– Bases: give OH- (increases [OH-])

2. Bronsted-Lowry
– Acids: donates protons (H+ or H3O+)
– Bases: accepts protons (H+ or H3O+)

3. Lewis
– Acids: electron pair acceptor
– Bases: electron pair donator (Ex: NH3)
 Arrhenius Acid-Base Reactions
• Double Replacement
• Products are always water and a salt
• Forward reaction only; No equilibrium

Practice Problems:
Predict the products and balance.
Label the acid, base, and salt.
acid base salt
___HBr(aq) + ___LiOH(aq)  __HOH(l) + __LiBr(aq)
acid base salt
___HNO
2 3(aq) + ___Ca(OH)2(aq)  __HOH(l)
2 + __Ca(NO3)2(aq)

acid base salt

___H2SO4(aq) + ___KOH(aq)
2  __HOH(l)
2 + __K2SO4(aq)
 Bronsted-Lowry Acid-Base Reactions
• Transfer of ONE proton (H+1 ion)
• Forward & Reverse reactions come to an EQUILIBRIUM

Sample Equations
acid base
1. HNO2(aq) + H2O(l)  NO2-(aq) + H3O+(aq)

acid base
2. H2O(l) + NH3(aq)  OH-(aq) + NH4+(aq)
 Conjugate Acid-Base Pairs
• According to Bronsted-Lowry(BL) a substance can only behave as
an acid if another substance simultaneously behaves as a base.

Acid Base Base Acid

• Acetic acid & hydronium donate a proton = BL Acid

• Water & acetate ion accept a proton = BL Base
• Products are labeled as conjugates to differentiate from reactants
• CH3COOH & CH3COO- are Acid-conjugate base pairs Only differ
by one H+
• H2O & H3O are Base-conjugate acid pairs
+
Bronsted-Lowry Acid-Base Reactions
• Transferring a proton (H+) creates CONJUGATE PAIRS
• Conjugate pairs only DIFFER by ONE PROTON (H+)
Water is considered amphoteric…
It can behave as both an acid and a base!!!
Sample Equations
1. HNO2(aq) + H2O(l)  NO2-(aq) + H3O+(aq)

Acid-Conjugate Base Pair

2. HNO2(aq) + H2O(l)  NO2-(aq) + H3O+(aq)

Base-Conjugate Acid Pair
 Bronsted-Lowry Acid-Base Reactions
• Transferring a proton (H+) creates CONJUGATE PAIRS
• Conjugate pairs only DIFFER by ONE PROTON (H+)

Sample Equations
3. H2O(l) + NH3(aq)  OH-(aq) + NH4+(aq)
Acid-Conjugate Base Pair

4. H2O(l) + NH3(aq)  OH-(aq) + NH4+(aq)

Base-Conjugate Acid Pair
  Acid-Base Pairs 
• Acids & bases ALWAYS come in pairs… even the conjugates!!!

• HNO2(aq) + H2O(l)  NO2-(aq) + H3O+(aq)

Acid Base Conjugate Conjugate
Base Acid

• HNO2(aq) + H2O(l)  NO2-(aq) + H3O+(aq)

Acid Base Conjugate Conjugate
Base Acid
 Practice Problems
5. Which of the following are conjugate acid/base pairs?

a) HF, F- d) H2O, H3O+

b) NH4+, NH3 e) OH-, HNO3

c) HCl, H2O f) H2SO4, SO4-2

6. For each of the following acids… write the conjugate base

d) HClO4 b) H3PO4 c) H2S- d) PH4+
ClO4-1 H2PO4-1 HS- PH3

7. For each of the following bases… write the conjugate acid

a) PO4-3 b) F- c) HS- d) CN- e) H2O
• Conjugates
HPO -2 always
HF
only differ
HS
by one
HCN
H +
… H3O+
4 2
– charge must be adjusted too!
 Practice Problems
• 8. Label the acid, base, conjugate acid, and
conjugate base in each equation below:
a) HCl (g) + H2O(l)  H3O+(aq) + Cl-(aq)
Acid Base Conj. Acid Conj. Base

b) NH3(g) + H2O(l)  OH-(aq) + NH4+(aq)

Base Acid Conj. Base Conj. Acid

• Water is considered amphoteric…

– It can behave as both an acid and a base!!!
 Auto-ionization of Water
• Water actually reacts with itself to form ions 
Conjugate Conjugate
Base Acid Acid Base
• H2O(l) + H2O(l)  H3O+(aq) + OH-(aq)

• The reactions are extremely rapid in both directions

– No individual molecule remains ionized for very long
– At room temp. only about 2 out of every 109 molecules are ionized at any given instant!
– Pure water is almost entirely H2O(l)!
– Equilibrium for this reaction lies far left
– Very little ion is actually produced
– The ionization of pure water always produces the same concentration of ion dissolved in
solution.
[H3O+] = [OH-1] = 1.0 x 10-7M

• The equilibrium that exist between water and its ions is very important to acid-
base chemistry…
 Equilibrium Constant for Water
H2O(l) + H2O(l)  H3O+(aq) + OH-(aq)

Kw = [H3O+][OH-] = [H+][OH-]

• Kw is an equilibrium constant specifically for the auto-ionization

of water.

• Kw = ion-product constant, dissociation constant, auto-ionization

constant of water

• Kw = 1.0 x 10-14 M2 @ 25˚C

 Importance of Kw
H2O(l) + H2O(l)  H3O+(aq) + OH-(aq)

Kw = [H3O+][OH-] = [H+][OH-]

• Since Kw is a constant …
– [H+] and [OH-] have an indirect relationship… as one goes up the other
must go down to keep Kw=1.0 x 10-14 M2 @ 25˚C

• [H+] > [OH-] Acidic [H+] > 1.0 x 10-7 M

• [H+] = [OH-] Neutral
• [H+] < [OH-] Basic [H+] < 1.0 x 10-7 M
 Practice Problems
1. Calculate the values of [H+] and [OH-] in a neutral solution @ 25˚C.
– 1.0 x 10-14 = [H+][OH-] = X2 X=1.0 x 10 -7 M
2. Calculate the [H+] in the following solutions:
– [OH-] = 0.010 M [OH-] = 2.0 x 10-9 M
[H+]= Kw/[OH-]
– [H+]= 1x10-14/0.010 M [H+]= 1x10-14/2.0 x 10-9 M
– [H+]= 1.0 x 10-12 M [H+]= 5.0 x 10-6 M
3. Calculate the [OH-] for a solution where the [H+] = 2.0 x 10-6 M
– [OH-]=Kw/[H+] = 5.0 x 10-9 M
– [OH-]=1x10-14/2.0x10-6 = 5.0 x 10-9 M
4. Determine whether the following are acidic, basic, or neutral:
– [H+] = 2 x 10-5 M [H+] = 4 x 10-9 M
• Acidic [H+] > 1.0 x 10-7 M Basic [H+] < 1.0 x 10-7 M
– [OH-] = 3 x 10-9 M [OH-] = 7 x 10-13 M
• Acidic[H+] > 1.0 x 10-7 M Acidic [H+] > 1.0 x 10-7 M
 pH Scale
• pH scale tells us how much protons, H+ is in
solution.
• The LOWER the pH the MORE H+ is in solution!
• pH scale ranges from 0 to 14
 pH Scale
• pH scale is based on a logarithm scale
– Each number differs by a factor of 10

10x 1000x
 pH Scale

• Convenient way to measure acidity… no exponents 

• pH = -log [H+] pH = -log [H3O+] [H+]=10-pH
• As [H+] changes by a factor of 10… pH changes by 1
• Significant Figures
– Only the numbers to the right of the decimal point are significant
in logarithms
– If the original [H+] has 2 significant figures… the pH will have 2 #’s
after the decimal.
• Example… calculate the pH of a solution whose [H+] = 1.0 x 10-9 M
– -9
Practice Problems pH = -log [H+] pH = -log [H3O+] [H+]=10-pH

1. Calculate the pH of the following solutions:

a) [H+] = 1.0 x 10-12 M
pH = -log [H+] pH= - log[1.0 x 10-12] pH=12.00
b) [H+] = 3.8 x 10-8 M
pH = -log [H+] pH= - log[3.8 x 10-8] pH=7.42
2. Calculate the [H+] of the following solutions:
a) pH = 3.76 [H+]=10-pH [H+]=10-3.76
• [H+]= 1.7 x 10-4 M
b) pH = 9.18 [H+]=10-pH [H+]=10-9.18
• [H+]= 6.6 x 10-10 M
 pOH Scale

• pOH scale tells us pOH

how much hydroxide ions, 06
OH- is in solution Basic

• The LOWER the pOH pOH

the MORE OH- is in solution! 8  14
• pOH scale ranges from 0 to 14
Acidic
pOH Scale

100 x
pOH scale is based
on a logarithm scale

[OH-] changes by
a factor of 10 10,000 x
 pOH Scale

• Convenient way to measure basicity… no exponents 

• pOH = -log [OH-] [OH-]= 10-pOH
• pH scale and the pOH scale ALWAYS add to 14
pOH + pH = 14.00
• What is the pOH of blood if the pH = 7.4?
pOH  14  7.4  6.6
Solution Type [H+] (M) [OH-] (M) pH Value pOH Value
Acidic > 1.0 x 10-7 < 1.0 x 10-7 < 7.00 > 7.00
Neutral = 1.0 x 10-7 = 1.0 x 10-7 = 7.00 = 7.00
Basic < 1.0 x 10-7 >1.0 x 10-7 > 7.00 < 7.00
 pOH = -log [OH-]
Practice Problems [OH-]= 10-pOH
pOH + pH = 14.00

1. Calculate the pH of a solution whose [OH-] = 2.0 x 10-5 M

pOH = -log [OH-] pOH = -log [2.0x10-5] pOH = 4.70
pH = 14.00 - 4.7 = 9.30
2. Calculate the pOH of a solution whose [H+] = 3.8 x 10-4 M
pH = -log [H+] pH = -log [3.8x10-4] pH=3.42
pOH = 14.00 – 3.42 = 10.58
3. Calculate the [H+] of a solution whose pOH = 13.9
[OH-]= 10-pOH [OH-]= 10-13.9 [OH-]= 1.26 x 10-14 M
Remember 1.0 𝑥 10− 14 M 2
Kw=1.0 x 10-14 M2 = 8 x 10-1 M = [H+]
1.26 𝑥 10− 14 𝑀
4. Calculate the pH of a solution whose pOH = 9.18
pOH + pH = 14.00
pH = 14.00 -9.18 = 4.18
Putting it all together…
 Acid-Base Indicators
• Indicators change color in the presence of a substance…
 Just read Properties of Acids
Property Acids
How do they taste?
SOUR
How do they feel? corrosive
Do they conduct electricity?
Yes!
Do they react with metals?
Yes!
BLUE litmus paper…
Turns RED
RED litmus paper…
Stays RED
Phenolphthalein turns…
Stays CLEAR
What is their pH range?
0  6.5 (below7)
 Strong Acids
• Dissociate 100% … donating ALL of its H+ (protons)
– No un-dissociated molecules left in solution
– Reaction lies entirely to the right… NO Equilibrium
– Excellent electrolytes (ability to conduct electricity)
• Weak conjugate bases… don’t want to accept a proton
• Must Memorize 6 Strong Acids 
• HBr – hydrobromic acid
• HI - hydroio
• HCl-hydrochloric acid
• HClO4 perchloric acid
• HNO3 – Nitric acid
• H2SO4 -sulfuric acid
 Strong Acids
• Since strong acids dissociate 100% in solution…
• HNO3(aq)  H3O+(aq) + NO3-(aq)

• For monoprotic acids (only donate 1 H+) the pH is based on

the original [acid]

Example
0.20M HNO3 = [H+] = [NO3-] = 0.20 M
pH = -log[0.20] = 0.699

• We will discuss calculating pH for diprotic & polyprotic acids

later…H2SO4(aq)  H3O+(aq) + HSO4-(aq)
 Strong Acids vs. Weak Acids
Characteristic Strong Acid Weak Acid

Definition Dissociate s 100% Dissociate s  3%

HA  H   A  HA  H 
 A
   


Equilibrium Position Very Little Forms

100% RIGHT
       
Far to the LEFT

Electrolyte
STRONG WEAK
Examples: HBr HI HCl ALL THE REST!
HClO4 HNO3 H 2SO 4
B  I  C Pe  N  S
 Practice Problems
1. What is the pH of a 0.040M solution of HClO4?
– [H+]= 0.040 M
– pH = -log[0.040] = pH= 1.40

2. What is the concentration of a solution of nitric

acid that has a pH of 2.66?
– HNO3 is a strong acid… [HNO3] = [H+]
– [H+]=10-pH = [H+]= 10-2.66 = [H+]= 2.2 x 10-3 M
 Just read Properties of Bases
Property Bases
How do they taste?
BITTER
How do they feel? Slippery.. .(SOAPS)
Do they conduct electricity?
YES!
Do they react with metals?
NO!
BLUE litmus paper…
Stays BLUE
RED litmus paper…
Turns BLUE
Phenolphthalein turns…
Turns PINK
What is their pH range?
7.5  14 (Above 7)
•
Strong Bases
Dissociate 100% … donating ALL of its hydroxide ions, OH -

– No un-dissociated molecules left in solution

– Reaction lies entirely to the right… NO Equilibrium
– Excellent electrolytes (ability to conduct electricity)
• Weak conjugate acids don’t want to donate a proton
• Strong bases dissociate 100% into its ions…
– NaOH(aq)  Na+(aq) + OH-(aq)
– Ca(OH)2(aq)  Ca2+(aq) + 2OH-(aq)

• Must Memorize Strong Bases 

– Alkali metal hydroxides
• Ex:LiOH, NaOH,KOH
– Alkaline Earth metal
hydroxides (starting w/ Ca2+)
• Ex:Ba(OH)2 , Sr(OH)2, Ca(OH)2

Magnesium hydroxide needs to have a

higher concentration to dissociate 100%
 Strong Bases vs. Weak Bases
Characteristic Strong Base Weak Base

Definition Dissociate s  3%
Dissociate s 100%
 

MOH  M  OH 
MOH  M
   OH

Equilibrium Position Very Little Forms
100% RIGHT
       
Far to the LEFT
Electrolyte
STRONG WEAK
Examples Metal Hydroxides
ALL THE REST!
Group 1 & 2 Only
 Practice Problems
1. Calculate the pH of a 0.100M solution of NaOH
– NaOH(aq)  Na+(aq) + OH-(aq) [OH-] = 0.100M
– pOH = -log [0.100] = 1.00 pOH + pH= 14 14-1 = 13
– pH=13.000
2. Calculate the pH of a 0.050M solution of KOH
– KOH(aq)  K+(aq) + OH-(aq) [OH-] = 0.050M
– pOH = -log [0.050] = 1.30 pOH + pH= 14.00 14.00-1.30=12.70
– pH=12.70
3. Calculate the pH of a 0.050M solution of Ba(OH) 2
– Ba(OH)2(aq)  Ba2+(aq) + 2OH-(aq) [OH-] = 2(0.050)=0.100M
– pOH = -log [0.100] = 1.00 pOH + pH= 14 14-1 = 13
– pH=13.00
4. What is the concentration of a solution of KOH if the pH for the
solution is 11.89?
– KOH(aq)  K+(aq) + OH-(aq) pOH + pH= 14 14.00-11.89= 2.11
- -pH - -2.11 - -3
 Weak Acids
• Partially dissociates/ionizes in water
– Equilibrium is established

CH3COOH (aq) + H2O(l)  CH3COO-(aq) + H3O+(aq)

[CH 3COO ][H 3O  ]

Ka 
[CH 3COOH]

Ka = acid dissociation constant

Ka for weak acids is usually <10-3

Larger Ka… stronger the acid

Strong vs Weak acids
 Polyprotic Acids

• When an acid has more than one H+ to donate…

– each H+ is treated separately… like a monoprotic acid

• Example: H3PO4
– H3PO4 (aq) + H2O(l)  H2PO41-(aq) + H3O+(aq) Ka1= 7.5 x 10-3
– H2PO41-(aq) + H2O(l)  HPO42-(aq) + H3O+(aq) Ka2= 6.2 x 10-8
– HPO42-(aq) + H2O (l)  PO43-(aq) + H3O+(aq) Ka3= 4.2 x 10-13

• Ka1>Ka2>Ka3
– The first proton is easiest to remove…
• it successively gets harder to remove the proton
– The acids get weaker and weaker as the protons are removed
 Solving for Ka
• A student prepared a 0.10M solution of formic acid (HCOOH) and
measured its pH. The pH at 25˚C was found to be 2.38. Calculate Ka
for formic acid at this temperature.
1. Formic acid is dissolved in water… set up the Ka expression
HCOOH(aq) + H2O(l)  HCOO-(aq) + H3O+(aq)

 
[HCOO ][H ]
Ka 
[HCOOH]
2. Use the pH to solve for the [H+] present at equilibrium
[H+] = 10-2.38 = 4.2 x 10-3 M

3. Set up an ICE table to solve for the [equilibrium] of the other

substances
 Solving for Ka
A student prepared a 0.10M solution of formic acid (HCOOH) and measured its pH. The pH at
25˚C was found to be 2.38. Calculate Ka for formic acid at this temperature.

[H+] = 10-2.38 = 4.2 x 10-3 M

HCOOH HCOO- H+

Initial 0.10 M 0 0

Change - 4.2 x 10-3 + 4.2 x 10-3 + 4.2 x 10-3

Equilibrium 9.6 x 10-2 4.2 x 10-3 4.2 x 10-3

HCOOH(aq) + H2O(l)  HCOO-(aq) + H3O+(aq)

• Solve for Ka… [HCOO-][H+]/ [HCOOH]
[ 4.2 x 10 -3 ][ 4.2 x 10 -3 ] 4
Ka   1.8 x 10
[9.6 x 10  2 ]
 Practice Problem
• A 0.020 M solution of niacin, one of the B vitamins, has a pH of 3.26.
What is the acid-dissociation constant, Ka, for niacin?

HA  H+ + A-
HA A- H+

[A ][H ]  Niacin
Ka  I 0.020 M 0 0
[HA]
C - 5.5 x 10-4 + 5.5 x 10-4 + 5.5 x 10-4
[H+]=10-3.26
[H+]=5.5 x 10-4 M E 1.9 x 10-2 5.5 x 10-4 5.5 x 10-4

4 4
[5.5x10 ][5.5x10 ] 5
Ka  2
 1.6x10
[1.9x10 ]
 Using Ka to solve for pH
• Calculate the pH of a 0.30 M solution of acetic acid. The Ka value of
acetic acid is 1.8 x 10-5
[CH 3COO ][H  ]
– Write the equilibrium expression, Ka Ka 
[CH 3COOH]
– Set up an ICE table and solve for X
CH3COOH CH3COO- H+
Initial 0.30 0 0
Change -X +X +X
Equilibrium 0.30 - X +X +X

2 2
X X
1.8x10 5   X  5.4x10 6
 2.3x10 3
[0.30  X] 0.30
– Use the [H+] at equilibrium to solve for the pH
pH = -log[2.3 x 10-3] = 2.64
 Practice Problems
1. Calculate the pH of a 0.20 M solution of HCN that has a K a value of 4.9 x 10-10.
1a yourself:Write equation first HCN +H2O  CN- + H3O+
Set up ICE TABLE yourselft HCN CN- H3O+
Initial 0.20 M 0 0
Change -x +x +x
Equilibrium 0.20 -x +x +x

• Set up Ka expression and solve for X …Ka= [CN-][H+]/ [HCN]

– 4.9 x 10-10 = [x] [x]/[0.20-x]
– 4.9 x 10-10 = [x2]/[0.20] We are going to get rid of –x because it’s close to zero
– 9.8x10 -11 = [x2] take the square root on both sides x= 9.90 x 10 -6
– pH = -log[9.9 x 10-6] pH = 5.00

2. The Ka for niacin is 1.5 x 10-5. What is the pH of a 0.010 M solution of niacin?
– See if you can do the problem on your own using the same steps above
 Percent Ionization
• Once equilibrium has been established for a weak acid… the % of acid
dissociated can be calculated.
[ionized] [H  ]equilibrium
% ionization  x100 % ionization  x100
[initial] [HA]initial
• Larger the % ionization the stronger the acid

• For example, a 0.035 M solution of HNO2 contains 3.7 x 10-3 M H+(aq)

3
[3.7x10 ]
% ionization  x100  11%
[0.035]
 Practice Problems
1. A 0.10 M solution of formic acid contains 4.2 x 10-3 M H+(aq).
Calculate the percentage of the acid that is ionized.

4.2x10 3
% x100  4.2%
0.10
 Weak Bases
• Do NOT contain OH- when dissolved in H2O but increase the [OH-] in
solution…
– Most contain at least one unshared pair of electrons capable of forming
bonds with protons…

B(aq) + H2O(l)  BH+(aq) + OH-(aq)

[BH  ][OH  ]
Kb 
[B]

• Kb = base dissociation constant

Larger K the stronger the base

 Practice Problem
1. Which of the following compounds should produce
the largest pH as a 0.50 M solution?
a) Pyradine (C5H5N) Kb = 1.7 x 10-9
b) Methylamine (NH2CH3) Kb = 4.4 x 10-4
c) Nitrite (NO2-1) Kb = 2.2 x 10-11

Methylamine… the larger the Kb the stronger the

base… the larger the pH
 Practice Problem
2.Calculate the concentration of OH- in a 0.15 M solution of NH3 The Kb
for NH3 is 1.8 x 10-5
NH3(aq) + H2O(l)  NH4+(aq) + OH-(aq)
NH3 NH4+ OH-
Initial 0.15 0 0
Change -X +X +X
Equilibrium 0.15 - X +X +X

[NH 4 ][OH  ] X2 X2
Kb    X  [OH  ]  1.6x10 3 M
0.15  X 0.15
X
[NH 3 ]

3. Calculate the pH of the solution above.

pOH = -log[1.6 x 10-3] = 2.80 pH = 14.00-2.80 = 11.20
 Practice Problem
4.A solution made by adding solid sodium hypochlorite (NaClO) to enough
water to make 2.00L of solution has a pH of 10.50. Using the equation
below calculate the number of moles of NaClO that were added to the
water.
ClO-(aq) + H2O(l)  HClO(aq) + OH-(aq) Kb=3.3 x 10-7

Based on the pH the [OH-] = 3.2 x 10-4 M

ClO- HClO OH-
Initial X 0 0
Change - 3.2 x 10-4 3.2 x 10-4 3.2 x 10-4
Equilibrium X - 3.2 x 10-4 3.2 x 10-4 3.2 x 10-4

4 2
[3.3x10 ] 7
Kb   3.3x10
[x  3.2x10  4 ]
 Practice Problem
5. A solution of NH3 in water has a pH of 11.17. What is
the molarity of the initial solution? Kb = 1.8 x 10-5

Based on the pH the [OH-]=1.5 x 10-3 M

NH3 NH4+ OH-
Initial X 0 0
Change -1.5 x 10-3 1.5 x 10-3 1.5 x 10-3
Equilibrium X -1.5 x 10-3 1.5 x 10-3 1.5 x 10-3

Try to solve the problem on your own the answer is below

[NH3]= 0.12 M
 Relationship between Ka & Kb
• For conjugate acid-base pairs…
Ka x Kb = Kw Forward & Reverse Rxn

– As the strength of an acid increases (larger Ka) the strength of it’s

conjugate base must decrease (smaller Kb) so that their product is
always 1.0 x 10-14 = kw

• Conjugate acid-base pairs can also be given as…

pKa + pKb = pKw = 14.00 -logKa + -logKb =
14.00

– This is just like setting up a pH or pOH scale to make the numbers

easier to use… only the pScale is made by using the Ka and Kb
 Practice Problems
1. Calculate the Kb value for the fluoride ion (F-) if the Ka of HF is 6.8 x
10-4. remember the value of Kw
– Ka x Kb = Kw
– Kb = 1.00 x 10-14/6.8x10-4 = 1.5 x 10-11

2. Calculate the Ka value for the ammonium ion (NH4+) if the Kb of

NH3 is 1.8 x 10-5
– Ka x Kb = Kw
– Ka = 1.00 x 10-14/1.8x10-5 = 5.6 x 10-10

3. The conjugate acid of quinoline has a pK a of 4.90. What is the Kb

of quinoline.
– pKa + pKb = 14 = 14 - 4.90=9.1 Kb = 10-pKb = 10-9.1
-10
Strength of Conjugate Acid-Base Pairs
Strong Acid = Weak Base

Weak Acid = Strong Base

In acid-base reactions the position of equilibrium favors the

 Practice Problems
Predict whether the equilibrium lies predominantly to the left or to the right
1. HSO4-(aq) + CO32-(aq)  SO42-(aq) + HCO3-(aq)
• Right… HSO4- is a stronger acid than HCO3-
• Right… CO32- is a stronger base than SO42-

2. PO43-(aq) + H2O(l)  HPO42-(aq) + OH-(aq)

• Left… HPO42- is a stronger acid than H2O
• Left… OH- is a stronger base than PO43-

3. NH4+(aq) + OH-(aq)  NH3(aq) + H2O(l)

• Right… NH4+ is a stronger acid than H2O
• Right… OH- is a stronger base than NH3
 How do SALTS affect Acid-Base Solutions?
• Salts are strong electrolytes…
– Salts dissolve completely in water…

• If the anion and the cation do NOT react with water the solutions
pH is unaffected!

• If the anion reacts with the water…

– X- + H2O(l)  HX + OH-
– pH will increase
Must analyze both
Anion & cation
• If the cation reacts with the water… To determine the
– X+ + H2O(l)  XOH + H+ Net effect of salt
– Most cations, free-up H+ ions.
– will decrease
 What Anions React with Water? X- + H2O(l)  HX + OH-
o Conjugate bases are anions
 Strong bases do NOT react
 Negligible bases do NOT react (Conj. Bases of Strong Acids)
 WEAK BASES DO REACT 
X+ + H2O(l)  XOH + H+
• What Cations React with Water?
– Polyatomic cations that have one or more protons are considered
weak acids
• Weak acids react with water to decrease the pH
• X+ + H2O(l)  XOH + H+
– Most metal ions also react with water to decrease the pH
• X+ + H2O(l)  XOH + H+
• Alkali metals & heavier Alkaline metals DO NOT react with water… the metals
of strong bases!
 Analysis Process…
• First determine:
– Take the anion (from the salt) and add an H+ to
it… is the acid formed strong or weak?
– Take the cation (from the salt) and add an OH-
to it… is the base formed strong or weak?

Examples:

1. NaCl NaOH (strong) HCl (strong)

2. AlPO4 Al(OH)3 (weak) H3PO4 (weak)

 Analysis Process…
• Then determine how the pH will be affected:
– Strong Acid + Strong Base  No change in pH
• Both the anion and the cation stay dissolved in water

– Weak Acid + Strong Base  Basic

• The anion reacts with the water and the cation stays dissolved
in water

– Strong Acid + Weak Base  Acidic

• The anion stays dissolved in water and the base reacts with
the water

– Weak Acid + Weak Base  Acidic if Ka > Kb

(both react w/ water) Basic if Kb > Ka
Neutral if K = K
 Practice Problems
1. Determine whether aqueous solutions of each of
the following salts will be acidic, basic, or neutral:
a) Ba(CH3COO)2
• Basic… Ba=no; acetate=yes
b) NH4Cl
• Acidic… ammonium=yes; Cl=no
c) CH3NH3Br
• Acidic… CH3NH3=yes; Br=no
d) KNO3
• Neutral… neither affect pH
e) Al(ClO4)3
 Practice Problem
2.Predict whether the salt Na2HPO4 will form an acidic solution or
a basic solution on dissolving in water.
• Na+ does not affect…
• HPO42- is either a weak acid or a weak base (amphoteric)

– HPO42- + H2O  PO43- + H3O+ Ka = 4.2 x 10-13

– HPO42- + H2O  H2PO4- + OH- Kb = 1.6 x 10-7

• Must analyze the strength of HPO42- as an acid, Ka, & a base, Kb

– Ka > Kb Salt solution is acidic
– Kb > Ka Salt solution is basic
Chemical Structure Affects Acid-Base Properties
The strength of an acid depends on 3 factors:
1. The bond between the H+ and its anion must be weak
2. The H+ ion must have a lower electronegativity value
than the anion it is bonded to
3. The conjugate base of the acid X- must be stable

• Stronger acids have…

– Weaker bond, larger dipole, & more stable conj. base

• Weaker acids have…

– Stronger bond, smaller dipole, & less stable conj. base
 Binary Halide Acids
• Within a Column…
– The stronger the bond the
Weaker the acid…
– Acid strength increases down
A column as the size of X increases

• Within a Row…
– The stronger the polarity the
stronger the acid…
– Acid strength increases across a
Row from L  R as size of X decreases
 Oxyacids… are they acids or bases?
• Many common acids are oxyacids that contain several O—H bonds…

• But bases contain OH too…

• What factors determine if OH group is an acid or base?
– Generally, as the electronegativity of X increases, so will the
acidity of the substance…
• X has a low electronegativity (like a metal) OH will be released
and the substance will be basic
• X has a high electronegativity (like a nonmetal) only the H will
be released and the substance will be acidic or neutral
 Strength of Acidic Oxyacids
• For oxyacids that have the same number of OH groups and the
same number of O atoms, acid strength increases with
increasing electronegativity of the central atom

– Example: HClO > HBrO > HIO

• For oxyacids that have the same central atom Y, acid strength
increases as the number of oxygen atoms attached to Y
increases.

– Example: HClO4 > HClO3 > HClO2 > HClO

 Carboxylic Acids
• Carboxylic acids are the largest category of organic acids
with the functional group –COOH

Acetic Acid Formic Acid Benzoic Acid

• Why do carboxylic acids donate their acidic hydrogen (the
one attached to the carboxyl group)?
– The additional O atom attached to the carboxyl group
draws e- from the O—H bond; increasing the polarity of
the O—H bond and stabilizing the conj. Base!
– Conj. Base exhibits resonance which further stabilizes it!
 Practice Problems
1. Arrange the following compounds in order of increasing acid strength:
a) AsH3, HI, NaH, H2O NaH < AsH3 < H2O < HI.
Just read to know…. why binary compounds, we will consider the electronegativities of As, I, Na, and
O relative to H. A higher electronegativity will cause the H to have a higher partial positive charge,
causing the compound to be more acidic.

Because Na is on the left side of the periodic table, we know that it has a very low electronegativity.
As a result, the hydrogen in NaH carries a negative charge. Thus NaH should be the least acidic
(most basic) compound on the list. Because arsenic is less electronegative than oxygen, we might
expect that AsH3 would be a weak base toward water. Further, we expect that the binary hydrogen
compounds of the halogens, as the most electronegative element in each period, will be acidic
H2SeO3
relative to water. In fact, HI is one < H2SeO4
of the strong acids in<water.
H2SO4 Thus the order of increasing acidity is
NaH < AsH3 < H2O < HI.
b) H2SO4, H2SeO3, H2SeO4
Just read to know why….For the oxyacids in part we will consider both the relative
electronegativities of the central atom (S and Se) and the number of oxygen atoms bonded to the
central atom
The acids H2SO4 and H2SeO4 have the same number of O atoms and OH groups. In such cases, the acid strength
increases with increasing electronegativity of the central atom. Because S is more electronegative than Se, we predict
that H2SO4 is more acidic than H2SeO4. Next, we can compare H2SeO4 and H2SeO3. For acids with the same central
atom, the acidity increases as the number of oxygen atoms bonded to the central atom increases. Thus, H2SeO4 should
 Practice Problems

2. In each of the following pairs choose the compound that leads

to the more acidic (or less basic) solution:
a) HBr, HF HBr,
b) PH3, H2S H2S
c) HNO2, HNO3 HNO3
d) H2SO3, H2SeO3 H2SO3
 Calculate the percentage of HF molecules ionized in (a) 0.10 M HF solution, (b) 0.010 M HF solution. HF has a Ka=7.2 x 10-4 Hint: remember the 5% rule

For weak acids the % ionization increases as the solution becomes more dilute

7.9x10 3 2.3x10 3
% x100  7.9% % x100  23%
0.10 0.010