Exercises: Significant Figures and Logarithms
Exercises: Significant Figures and Logarithms
Exercises: Significant Figures and Logarithms
Chapter 8
Exercises
Significant figures and logarithms the equations in this question; there is an acid
and a base on both sides of each equation.
Many of the calculations for this chapter involve the
use of logarithms. Determining the correct significant (a) CH3COOH (acid)/CH3COO− (base)
figures for logarithm calculations does not involve NH3 (base)/NH4+ (acid)
the same rules as calculations involving addition, (b) CO32− (base)/HCO3− (acid)
subtraction, multiplication or division. When taking a
H3O+ (acid)/H2O (base)
log the answer will have the same number of decimal
(c) NH4+ (acid)/NH3 (base)
places as the number of significant figures in the value
that the log is being applied to, for example: NO2− (base)/HNO2 (acid)
log (5) = 0.7 log (2.3 × 104) = 4.36 log (1.00 × 10–7) = 7.000 4 To be amphiprotic the substance must be able
1 s.f. 1 d.p. 2 s.f. 2 d.p. 3 s.f. 3 d.p. to both accept and release protons:
Doing the inverse function (the anti-log) involves the HPO42−(aq) + H2O(l) PO43−(aq) + H3O+(aq) (acid
opposite reasoning. Here the number of significant behaviour as protons are released)
figures in the answer will be the same as the number HPO42−(aq) + H2O(l) H2PO4−(aq) + OH−(aq)
of decimal places in the value the anti-log is being (base behaviour as protons are accepted)
applied to, for example:
5 acid + metal → salt + hydrogen
105.2 = 2 × 105 10–4.20 = 6.3 × 10–5 100.100 = 1.26 acid + base → salt + water
1 d.p. 1 s.f. 2 d.p. 2 s.f. 3 d.p. 3 s.f.
acid + carbonate → salt + water + carbon
dioxide
1 The conjugate acids of the given bases are
deduced by adding H+ to each species. Then be sure that each equation is balanced and
Remember to adjust the charge by +1 in each has the correct state symbols.
case. (a) H2SO4(aq) + CuO(s) → CuSO4(aq) + H2O(l)
(a) HSO3 −
(b) CH3NH3 + (b) HNO3(aq) + NaHCO3(s) → NaNO3(aq) +
(c) C2H5COOH (d) HNO3 H2O(l) + CO2(g)
(c) HSO3− (d) SO42− 7 B metal oxide (base) + acid → salt + water
(e) O 2−
(f) Br −
8 (a) nitric acid + sodium carbonate (or sodium
3 Note that conjugate acid–base pairs follow from hydrogencarbonate or sodium hydroxide)
Brønsted–Lowry theory. They differ by just one e.g. 2HNO3(aq) + Na2CO3(aq) → 2NaNO3(aq)
proton – the acid has the extra H+ and the base + H2O(l) + CO2(g)
has lost it. There are two such pairs in each of
1
(b) hydrochloric acid + ammonia solution Kw 1.00 × 10−14
Hence [H+] = = = 1.7 ×
HCl(aq) + NH4OH(aq) → NH4Cl(aq) + H2O(l) [OH–] 6 × 10–10
10–5, so pH = 4.8
(c) copper(II) oxide + sulfuric acid
H2SO4(aq) + CuO(s) → CuSO4(aq) + H2O(l) 15 Formula mass of NaOH = 40.00 g mol−1
6.0 g
(d) methanoic acid + potassium hydroxide n(NaOH) = = 0.15 mol
40.0 g mol–1
HCOOH(aq) + KOH(aq) → KCOOH(aq) + One mole of dissolved NaOH gives one mole of
H2O(l) OH– ions.
n 0.15 mol
9 The pH increases by 1 unit, as the concentration [OH–] = = = 0.15 mol dm–3
V 1.0 dm3
of H+ ions has been decreased tenfold, and pH
Kw = 1.00 × 10–14 = [H+][OH–]
is a logarithmic scale, pH = –log[H+]. K 1.00 × 10−14
Hence [H+] = w – = = 6.7 × 10–14,
10 [H+] = 1.9 × 10–5 [OH ] 0.15
so pH = 13.17
pH = –log (1.9 × 10–5) = 4.72
16 B The solution with the lowest conductivity will
11 At pH 9, [H+] = 10–pH = 10–9 mol dm–3
be the one with the fewest dissociated ions.
At 25 °C, Kw = [H+] [OH–] = 1.00 × 10–14 The solution of ethanoic acid (CH3COOH)
K 1.00 × 10−14
∴ [OH–] = w+ = = 1.0 × 10–5 mol will be the poorest conductor of electricity
[H ] 10–9
as ethanoic acid is a weak acid and only
dm–3
partially dissociates into its ions in solution.
12 Kw = 1.00 × 10–14 = [H+][OH–] All the other examples are strong acids
At 298 K: solutions are acidic if [H+] >1 × 10–7 (HCl), strong bases (NaOH) or salts (NaCl)
mol dm–3, [OH–] < 1 × 10–7 mol dm–3 and so will dissociate into ions completely in
solution. As the solutions are all 1 mol dm–3
solutions are basic if [H+] <1 × 10–7
the total number of ions in the HCl, NaOH
mol dm–3, [OH–] > 1 × 10–7 mol dm–3
and NaCl solutions will be much higher than
(a) 1.00 × 10–14 = [3.4 × 10–9][OH–], hence [OH−] the number of ions in the CH3COOH solution.
= 2.9 × 10−6 mol dm−3; solution is basic as
[OH–] > 1 × 10–7 mol dm–3 17 A Magnesium will react with the acid and not
the base (statement I). Sodium hydroxide
(b) 1.00 × 10–14 = [H+][0.010], hence [H+] =
will react with the acid (liberating heat); there
1.0 × 10−12 mol dm−3; solution is basic as
will be no change when added to the base
[H+] < 1 × 10–7 mol dm–3
(statement II). As both are equimolar and
(c) 1.00 × 10–14 = [H+][1.0 × 10–10], hence [H+] =
either a strong acid or a strong alkali that
1.0 × 10−4 mol dm−3; solution is acidic as [H+]
dissociates completely into its ions to create
>1 × 10–7 mol dm–3
an electrically conductive solution, the bulb
(d) 1.00 × 10–14 = [8.6 × 10–5][OH–], hence [OH−] will light brightly in both solutions (statement
= 1.2 × 10−10 mol dm−3; solution is acidic as III).
[OH–] < 1 × 10–7 mol dm–3
18 (a) H2CO3 is a weak acid and H2SO4 is a strong
13 pH = –log [H+] = –log [0.01] = 2.0 acid. H2CO3 has the stronger conjugate
14 (a) Kw = 1.00 × 10–14 = [H+][OH–] base, as the conjugate base is formed from
K 1 × 10−14 the weaker of the two acids.
Hence [H+] = w – = = 1.25 × 10–7,
[OH ] 8 × 10–8 (b) HCOOH is a weak acid and HCl is a strong
so pH = –log[1.25] = 6.9 acid. HCOOH has the stronger conjugate
(b) pH = –log [H+] = –log [10–2] = 2 base, as the conjugate base is formed from
(c) Kw = 1.00 × 10–14 = [H+][OH–] the weaker of the two acids.
2
19 (a) The Lewis acid is Zn2+ as it accepts a lone exchange of H+ so no Brønsted–Lowry acids
pair from the ammonia; the Lewis base is or bases are present. All the other equations
NH3 as it donates a lone pair to the zinc ion. have an exchange of H+ ions.
NH3
22 If Kw = 2.4 × 10–14 = [H+] [OH–]
NH3 2+
For water, [H+] = [OH–] = √2.4 × 10–14 = 1.5
H3N Zn 2+
NH3 Zn × 10–7 mol dm–3
NH3
H3N
NH3 pH = –log[H+] = –log(1.5 × 10–7) = 6.81
As [OH–] = [H+], pOH = pH = 6.81
NH3
pKw = pH + pOH = 6.81 + 6.81 = 13.62
(b) The Lewis acid is BeCl2 as it accepts lone However, water is still neutral, as [H+] = [OH–].
pairs from the chloride ion; the Lewis base is
Cl− as it donates a lone pair to the BeCl2. 23 pH + pOH = pKw = 14.00 (at 298 K)
Cl − pH= 6.77 therefore pOH = 14.00 – 6.77 = 7.23
Cl 2−
pH = –log [H+] then [H+] = 10–pH = 10–6.77
Cl Be Cl Be = 1.7 × 10−7 mol dm–3
Cl
Cl
Cl Similarly, if p(OH) = –log [OH–] then [OH–] =
Cl −
10–pOH = 10–7.23 = 5.9 × 10−8 mol dm−3
[H+] > [OH–] so the sample of milk is acidic
(c) The Lewis acid is Mg as it accepts lone
2+
4
HA H+ + A− The pKb value of HCOO– is higher than
Initial: 0.030 0 0 the pKb value of CH3COO– so HCOO– is a
Change: −x +x +x weaker base.
Equilibrium: 0.030 − x x x (In turn, this implies that methanoic acid is
Because the value of Ka is very small, we can a stronger acid than ethanoic acid, which is
assume that confirmed by the pKa values given here.)
[HA]equilibrium ≈ [HA]initial, i.e. 0.030 – x ≈ 0.030 37 B A buffer solution must contain approximately
x2 equal amounts of a weak acid or weak
∴ Ka = = 1.2 × 10–5
0.030 base with its conjugate base or acid. In the
x2 = 3.6 × 10–7 examples given here, you must consider
how the given components will react
∴ x = [H+] = √3.6 × 10–7 = 6.0 × 10–4 mol dm–3
together and the proportions of products
∴ pH = –log[H+] = –log(6.0 × 10–4) = 3.22 and unused reactants that will result. We will
consider each in turn.
33 A By definition pKa = –log Ka
●● A: equimolar quantities of weak acid and
34 The stronger acid has the lower pKa value. strong base which react in 1 : 1 ratio, with
Therefore HF is a stronger acid than HCN. the resulting mixture containing salt and
water only: not a buffer.
35 Once more we assume we are working at 298 K.
●● B: weak acid and strong base in 2 : 1 ratio
pKa + pKb = 14.00
by moles. These react in 1 : 1 ratio, so the
For HCN and CN– it follows that 9.21 + pKb = resulting mixture contains (unreacted) weak
14.00 acid and salt in equimolar amounts: this is a
∴ pKb [CN–] = 4.79 buffer.
For HF and F– it follows that 3.17 + pKb = 14.00 ●● C: weak acid and strong base in 1 : 2
∴ pKb [F ] = 10.83
– ratio by moles. These react in 1 : 1 ratio,
so the resulting mixture contains salt and
The stronger base has the lower pKb value.
(unreacted) strong base: not a buffer.
Therefore CN– is a stronger base than F–.
●● D: weak acid and strong base in 2 : 1 ratio
This confirms our answer to Q34 that HCN is
by moles, but here the reacting ratio will be
the weaker acid, so it will have the stronger
2 : 1 as Ba[OH]2 will neutralize 2 moles of
conjugate base.
CH3COOH. The resulting mixture contains
36 (a) The conjugate base of ethanoic acid, salt and water only: not a buffer.
CH3COOH, is CH3COO– (the ethanoate ion).
38 B The concept here is similar to Q37. You
At 298 K, pKa + pKb = 14.00
must work out the products of each
∴ pKb(CH3COO–)= 14.00 – pKa(CH3COOH) reaction.
= 14.00 – 4.76 = 9.24
I: The components do not react together.
(b) The conjugate base of methanoic acid, The mixture will contain equal moles of
HCOOH, is HCOO– (the methanoate ion). the weak acid CH3COOH and its salt
At 298 K, pKa + pKb = 14.00 CH3COONa. This is a buffer.
pKb(HCOO–) = 14.00 – pKa(HCOOH) = 14.00 II: There is a 2 : 1 ratio of weak acid to strong
– 3.75 = 10.25 base, so after reaction the mixture will
contain equal quantities of weak acid and its
salt. This is a buffer.
5
III: There is a 1 : 1 ratio of weak acid and (c) strong acid (HNO3) and strong base
strong base, so after reaction the mixture (Ba(OH)2), salt solution has pH = 7
contains salt and water only. This is not a
43 D Statement I: the initial pH will not be the
buffer.
same – the strong acid, which dissociates
39 (i), because it has a higher concentration of the completely, will have a lower initial pH than
acid and its conjugate base, and so has the the weak acid of the same concentration,
capability of buffering to a greater extent than the which does not dissociate completely.
mixture with the lower concentrations of solution. Statement II: the pH at equivalence point will
not be the same – that for the strong acid
40 (a) NaCl is a salt of a strong acid (HCl) and a
will be about 7 and that for the weak acid
strong base (NaOH). Neither ion hydrolyses
will be > 7. Statement III: volume of NaOH
appreciably. pH = 7
needed is the same – both acids react in a
(b) FeCl3 is a salt of strong acid (HCl) and a 1 : 1 ratio with the base.
weak base. Cation hydrolyses, anion does 44
not. pH < 7
(The Fe3+ cation exists as Fe(OH2)63+ in
buffer region
aqueous solution. Fe(OH2)63+ can act as
an acid and will give a solution of pH < 7;
pH
As [CH3COO–] = [H+] and assuming that (c) Bromocesol green changes from yellow to
the dissociation is small so [CH3COOH]eq blue as pH increases, therefore its colour
= [CH3COOH]initial, will be yellow at pH 3.6 (and at all pH
[H+]2 values < 3.8). In the range 3.8–5.4 it will
Ka ≈
[CH2COOH] progress through various shades of green
(ii) [CH3COO–] corresponding to the yellow/blue mix and
above pH 5.4 it will be blue.
CH3COOH(aq) + OH–(aq) à CH3COO–(aq) +
H2O(l) 48 (a) Natural rain contains dissolved carbon
Halfway to the equivalence point half of the dioxide, which reacts with water to form
CH3COOH has been converted to CH3COO– carbonic acid, which then dissociates to give
therefore at half-equivalence [CH3COOH] = H+, making the rain acidic:
[CH3COO–]. CO2(g) + H2O(l) H2CO3(aq)
[CH3COO–][H+] H2CO3(aq) HCO3–(aq) + H+(aq)
At half-equivalence Ka = =
[CH3COOH]
(b) Sulfuric acid
[H+] ([CH3COOH] and [CH3COO–] cancel)
Sulfur present in coal combusts with oxygen
If Ka = [H+] then pKa = pH
when the coal is burnt:
The pH value that can be obtained from the
S(s) + O2(g) → SO2(g)
titration curve at the half-equivalence point is
therefore equivalent to the pKa of the weak The SO2(g) generated can then react further
acid (CH3COOH in this example). with oxygen in the atmosphere to form
SO3(g):
46 D Different indicators have different pH values
2SO2(g) + O2(g) → 2SO3(g)
at which they change colour (so A is wrong).
SO3(g) can dissolve in water to form H2SO4,
The size of the pH range over which the
sulfuric acid:
colour change occurs and the pKa of an
indicator are not related (so B is wrong). H2O(l) + SO3(g) → H2SO4(aq)
The colour observed in acidic solution will As sulfuric acid is a strong acid this results
depend on the specific indicator (so C is in acid rain being much more acidic than
wrong). The pH range of the colour change natural rain.
always includes the pKa of the indicator (so (c) Nitric acid
D is correct).
This is produced when the combustion of
47 (a) Its pH range for colour change occurs at fossil fuels takes place in air and the high
between pH 3.8 and pH 5.4. This lies within temperatures present catalyse the reaction
the pH range at equivalence for titrations of between N2(g) and O2(g): N2(g) + O2(g) →
(i) strong acid and strong base (pH 3–11) 2NO(g).
and (ii) strong acid and weak base (pH 3–7). The N2(g) generated can then react further
(b) An estimate for the pKa of an indicator with oxygen in the atmosphere to form
corresponds to about halfway through its NO2(g):
colour-change range. As the pH range for 2NO(g) + O2(g) → 2NO2(g)
7
NO2(g) can dissolve in water to form HNO3, which then dissolves in water to give nitric
nitric acid: acid, HNO3.
H2O(l) + NO2(g) → HNO3(aq) (b) Power stations that burn coal produce SO2
The formation of HNO3 can be reduced and particulates. The SO2 is a product of
by the use of catalytic converters which the combustion of sulfur, which is present
convert NO and NO2 back to N2, and the in coal. Particulates can be nitrates and
recirculation of exhaust gases, which reduce sulfates that are formed from the nitric and
the temperature in the combustion chamber sulfuric acids that result from the NO and
and thus decreases the amount of NO SO2 produced in a coal-burning power
forming. station. They can also include unburnt
hydrocarbons and carbon soot that is
(d) CaCO3(s) + H2SO4(aq) → CaSO4(aq) + H2O(l)
released from the power station.
+ CO2(g)
(c) Particulates act as catalysts in the
(e) Acid rain can have many adverse effects.
production of secondary pollutants. They
Plant life can be impacted by leaching due absorb other pollutants such as SO2 and NO
to acid rain. The acid rain causes minerals onto their surface, where reactions involving
in the soil to become more soluble and they these primary pollutants can be catalysed.
are washed away and become unavailable
(d) SO2 can be reacted with CaO before it exits
to the plant, hindering growth. This may also
the exhaust system and forms CaSO4:
result in the release of ions and minerals in
CaO(s) + SO2(g) → CaSO3(g)
soil that are toxic to plants.
(e) NO comes primarily from motor vehicles. It
Marble and limestone are affected by acid
is formed in the combustion chamber of the
rain as they both contain calcium carbonate,
engine where the nitrogen and oxygen that
CaCO3, which reacts with acids to form
are present in the air can react due to the
soluble salts, resulting in the erosion of
high temperatures present: N2(g) + O2(g) →
buildings, statues and other structures
2NO(g)
containing these materials.
Acid rain can have serious impacts on lakes 50 (a) Dry acid deposition typically occurs close
and aquatic life. If lakes become too acidic to the source of emission before the
(pH < 5) then many species of fish and other gases involved have had the opportunity
aquatic life cannot survive. to encounter water moisture and become
dissolved acids. Wet acid deposition
Sulfuric acid and nitric acid in acid rain can
can occur any time after the gases have
react to form sulfate and nitrate particulates
dissolved to become acids and is therefore
that can cause respiratory complaints and
dispersed over a much larger area and
other health issues.
distance from the emission source.
(f) Use alternative energy sources to fossil fuels
such as solar, wind, hydro, geothermal or (b) The acid is formed in the air from sulfur
nuclear energy. While not as desirable it is dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxide (NO) which
also possible to only use coal with a low are emitted by thermal power stations,
sulfur content. industry and motor vehicles. A major source
is the burning of fossil fuels, particularly in
49 (a) The pollutants that contribute to acid rain are coal-fired power stations. Pollutants are
SO2 and NO. SO2 reacts with O2 to give SO3, carried by prevailing winds and converted
which then dissolves in water to give sulfuric (oxidized) into sulfuric acid (H2SO4) and nitric
acid, H2SO4. NO reacts with O2 to give NO2, acid (HNO3). These are then dissolved in
cloud droplets (rain, snow, mist, hail) and
8
this precipitation may fall to the ground as 2 A buffer solution contains a mixture of both
dilute forms of sulfuric acid and nitric acid. components of a conjugate acid–base pair.
The dissolved acids consist of sulfate ions, A and C: Both solutions are a mixture of a
nitrate ions and hydrogen ions. strong acid and a strong base so cannot form a
51 The hydroxyl free radical •OH is involved in the conjugate acid–base pair.
formation of sulfuric acid and nitric acid. B: The sodium hydroxide will convert half of the
OH + SO2 → •HOSO2 •OH + NO2 → HNO2
• ethanoic acid to its conjugate base (ethanoate
HOSO2+ O2 → •HO2+ SO3
• ion) so this will contain a conjugate acid pair.
SO3+ H2O → H2SO4 D: The sodium hydroxide will convert all of the
•
OH is formed by the reaction between water ethanoic acid to its conjugate base (ethanoate
and either ozone or atomic oxygen: ion) and no acid–base conjugate pair will be
present.
H2O + O• → 2•OH
O2 + O• → O3 Correct answer is B.
O3 + H2O → 2•OH + O2 3 Hydrochloric acid is a strong acid and ethanoic
acid is a weak acid. Because ethanoic acid
does not dissociate fully it will have a different
Practice questions initial pH to the hydrochloric acid solution, where
complete dissociation occurs. Weak acids pass
through a buffering zone as they react with
Significant figures and logarithms
added sodium hydroxide and the pH changes
Many of the calculations for this chapter involve the observed will not be the same as those with
use of logarithms. Determining the correct significant hydrochloric acid, where no buffering occurs,
figures for logarithm calculations does not involve and the equivalence points will not occur at the
the same rules as calculations involving addition, same pH. Because they are both monoprotic
subtraction, multiplication or division. When taking a acids the same volume of sodium hydroxide
log the answer will have the same number of decimal solution will be required to reach the equivalence
places as the number of significant figures in the value point, where all of the acid has reacted.
that the log is being applied to, for example: Correct answer is C.
log (5) = 0.7 log (2.3 × 10 ) = 4.36
4
log (1.00 × 10 ) = 7.000
–7
4 The equilibrium for the bromophenol blue
1 s.f. 1 d.p. 2 s.f. 2 d.p. 3 s.f. 3 d.p.
indicator is HIn H+ + In–. As pH increases from
3.0 to 4.6 and [H ] decreases, the equilibrium
+
Doing the inverse function (the anti-log) involves the
will shift to the right. At pH 3.0 there will be an
opposite reasoning. Here the number of significant
excess of HIn and at pH 4.6 an excess of In–.
figures in the answer wil be the same as the number
As the colour changes from yellow to blue over
of decimal places in the value the anti-log is being
this pH range, this means that HIn is yellow and
applied to, for example:
In– is blue. The equivalence point for the titration
105.2 = 2 × 105 10–4.20 = 6.3 × 10–5 100.100 = 1.26 of ethanoic acid (weak base) with potassium
1 d.p. 1 s.f. 2 d.p. 2 s.f. 3 d.p. 3 s.f. hydroxide (strong base) will occur at pH >7
so bromophenol blue would not be a suitable
1 For a conjugate acid–base pair, Kw = KbKa indicator.
Kw 1.0 × 10−14 Correct answer is C.
Ka = = = 2.0 × 10–13
Kb 5.0 × 10−2
5 The base dissociation reaction for ethylamine is:
Correct answer is D.
9
CH3CH2NH2(aq) + H2O(l) Correct answer is D.
CH3CH2NH3+(aq) + OH–(aq)
11 HIn(aq) H+(aq) + In–(aq)
[CH3CH2NH3+][OH−]
Kb = colour A colour B
[CH3CH2NH2 ]
Under acidic conditions the equilibrium will lie
Correct answer is B.
to the left and colour A will be observed. Under
6 It can be assumed that pure water means [H+] = basic conditions the equilibrium will lie to the
[OH–] and pH = pOH. right and colour B will be observed. At the
pKw = pH + pOH = 2pH equivalence point [HIn] = [In–].
D: The HCl will convert all of the NH3 to its (b) (i) pKa(HOCl) = 7.52
conjugate acid (NH4+) and no acid–base OCl– is the conjugate base of HOCl.
conjugate pair will be present. pKb(OCl–) = pKw – pKa(HOCl)
Correct answer is C. = 14.00 – 7.52 = 6.48
Kb(OCl–) = 10–pKb = 10–6.48
10 The base dissociation reaction for ammonia is:
= 3.3 × 10–7
NH3(aq) + H2O(l) NH4+(aq) + OH–(aq)
Base dissociation reaction for
(ii)
[NH4+][OH−]
Kb = hypochlorite, OCl–, is:
[NH3 ]
10
OCl–(aq) + H2O(l) All of these weak acids can corrode
HOCl(aq) + OH–(aq) marble and limestone buildings, and
[HOCl][OH−] cause leaching in soils. Sulfurous and
Kb =
[OCl−] nitrous acid are harmful to plant life as
Let [OH ] = [HOCl] = x:
– leaching removes minerals from the
x2 soil that are essential for plant growth.
Kb = Because of increased concentrations of
[OCl−]
CO2 in the atmosphere, its absorption
x = Kb[OCl–] = 3.3 × 10–7 ×
2
by oceans and lakes generates carbonic
0.705 mol dm–3 = 2.3 × 10–7
acid and the increased acidity of the
x = Ï2.3 × 10–7 = 4.8 × 10–4 lakes and oceans can impact on aquatic
[OH–] = 4.8 × 10–7 mol dm–3 life. Many aquatic species cannot
The assumption is that the amount survive at pH < 5, e.g. the calcium
of protonation of OCl– that occurs is carbonate shells of shellfish dissolve in
negligible so that the initial [OCl–] is acidic conditions.
equal to the [OCl–] after the acid–base The equivalence point occurs at a
(iii)
equilibrium is reached, i.e. [OCl–]eq = volume of 20.5 cm3 of KOH(aq) and a
[OCl–]initial – x ≈ [OCl–]initial. pH of 8.7.
Kw = [H+][OH–]
(iii) 14
Kw 1.00 × 10−14 13
[H+] = = 12
[OH−] 4.8 × 10−4 11
= 2.1 × 10–11 mol dm–3 10
9 8.7
pH = –log[H ] = –log(2.1 × 10 )
+ –11 equivalence point
8
= 10.68 pH 7
6
15 (a) (i) According to the Brønsted–Lowry 5
theory an acid is a proton (H+) donor 4
and a base is a proton (H+) acceptor. 3
2
A weak base is a base that will only be 1
20.5
partially protonated in aqueous solution: 0
0 10 20 30 40 50
B(aq) + H2O(l) BH+(aq)+ OH–(aq) volume of KOH(aq) added/cm3
A strong base is a base that will be The pKa can be found using the
(iv)
completely protonated in aqueous half-equivalence point, where half of
solution: the KOH(aq) required to reach the
B(aq) + H2O(l) → BH+(aq)+ OH–(aq) equivalence point has been added.
Ammonia (NH3) is an example of a weak At the half-equivalence point pH =
base. pKa(CH3COOH).
11
14 the titrated solution will start approaching
13 the pH of the OH– solution being added.
12
11 The concentration of the OH– solution
10 was 0.100 mol dm–3 so pOH =
9 8.7 equivalence point –log(0.100) = 1 and the pH of the OH–
8
solution is therefore 14 – 1 = 13. The
pH 7
6 final pH of the titrated solution will be in
5 4.7 the pH range 12–13.
half-equivalence
4
point (b) (i) An indicator (HIn) is a weak acid and the
3
2 conjugate base (In–) of the indicator has
1 a different colour to the acid.
10.25 20.5
0
0 10 20 30 40 50 The acid–base equilibrium of the
volume of KOH(aq) added/cm3
indicator can be represented as:
From the graph we see that the pH was HIn(aq) H+(aq) + In–(aq)
4.7 when 10.25cm3 had been added. colour 1 colour 2
12
[H+][CN−]
Ka(HCN) = small inductive
[HCN] H
effect
The assumption necessary to determine
(c)
[H+] (and pH) is that the dissociation of H3C N
HCN is negligible and [HCN]eq = [HCN]initial at
equilibrium, [H+] = [CN–]. H
13
strong acid–weak base phenolphthalein
pH
OH
O OH
HO base
O
7 acid
O CO2
*
half-
equivalence equivalence
point point (colourless) (pink)
acid from (HIn) base form (In−)
no conjugation, does not extensive conjugation,
volume of acid added absorb visible light absorbs visible light
14
H2SO3: 2(+1) + x + 3(–2) = 0; x = +4 H2SO4: 2(+1) + x + 4(–2) = 0; x = +6
Oxidation number of sulfur is +4. Name Oxidation number of sulfur is +6. Name
is sulfuric(IV) acid. is sulfuric(VI) acid.
15