ACIDS AND BASES

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Cape Town Science Centre

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Western Cape Education Department
Understanding Acids and Bases
Acids and bases are found everywhere!
To better understand the chemistry of acid-base reactions, it is important to know the
properties of acids and bases and the scientific models which define what is an acid and a
base.

PROPERTIES
Acids
o Tastes sour
o It turns BLUE litmus paper RED
o Increases the concentration of hydrogen ions (H+) in a solution
o Decreases the concentration of hydroxide ions (OH-) in a solution
o It has a pH values of LESS THAN 7
Bases
o Tastes bitter and has a soapy feel
o Turns RED litmus paper BLUE
o It has a pH value of MORE THAN 7
o Decreases the concentration of hydrogen ions (H+) in a solution
o Increases the concentration of hydroxide ions (OH-) in a solution

Scientific Models
Arrhenius Theory – Only explains acids & bases when dissolved IN WATER
Arrhenius noticed that water dissociates (splits up) into hydronium and hydroxide ions
according to the following reaction:

H2O (l) ⇌ H3O+(aq) + OH-(aq)

o Acid – a substance that produces H+/H3O+ ions in an aqueous solution

o Base - a substance that produces OH- ions in an aqueous solution

Bronsted-Lowry Theory – Explains acid & bases in both SOLID and LIQUID PHASE
Bronsted and Lowry broadened the acid/base definition of Arrhenius to not need water

o Acid is a proton (H+) DONOR The proton exchange, called

o Base is a proton (H+) ACCEPTOR protolysis, is simultaneous
Proton transfer reaction – General equation during acid-base reaction:

HA + B BH+ + A– HA + B– BH + A–
base OR
acid acid base
 Conjugate Acid-Base Pairs
The Lowry-Bronsted Theory involves an acid-base protolytic reaction in which a proton
transfer takes place. This proton transfer is simultaneous!

Therefore a pair of substances will differ from one another by a proton within an acid-base
reaction. This pair is called a CONJUGATE ACID-BASE PAIR.

Conjugate comes from the Latin word coniugātiō which means to “yoke together”.

When an ACID donates a proton, a CONJUGATE BASE is produced.

When a BASE accepts a proton, a CONJUGATE ACID is produced.

When a BASE has accepted a proton, the formed product is called a

CONJUGATE ACID because it can donate a proton in the reverse reaction again

The conjugate acid of an base

Acid + Base ⇌ Conjugate Acid + Conjugate Base

The conjugate base of an acid

When an ACID has donated a proton, the remaining ion is called a
CONJUGATE BASE because it can accept a proton in the reverse reaction again

EXAMPLES

Remove a Proton from the acid Add a proton to the base

ACID CONJUGATE BASE BASE CONJUGATE ACID

H2O OH- H2O H3 O +
HCl Cl- NH3 NH4+
HSO4- SO42- HSO4- H2SO4
HPO42- PO43- SO42- HSO4-

AMPHIPROTIC substances (ampholyte) are able to react as either an acid or a base.

In presence of a STRONG acid, an amphiprotic substance reacts as a base.
In presence of a STRONG base, an amphiprotic substance reacts as a acid.
 Reactions with metals
The general reaction mechanism for acid base reaction, results in the formation of a salt
and water, regardless of what acid or base was used.

Acid + Salt + Water

A salt is a compound made up of a metal and non-metal portion. It is a product of an acid-base
reaction where hydrogen in the acid molecule is replaced by a metal cation of the base.

Acid and metal Hydroxide

Acid + Salt + Water

Example

HCl(aq) + NaCl(aq) + H2O(l)

Acid and Metal Oxide

Acid + Salt + Water
Example
H2SO4(aq) + CuSO4(aq) + H2O(l)

Acid and Metal Carbonate

Acid + Salt + Water + carbon Dioxide

Example
NaHCO3 (s) + NaCl(aq) + H2O(l) + CO2(g)

Acid and Metal Hydrogen Carbonate

Acid + Salt + Water + carbon Dioxide

Example
2HCl(aq) + ZnCl2(aq) + H2(g)

Acid and Metal

Acid + Salt + Hydrogen

Example
2HCl(aq) + ZnCl2(aq) + H2(g)
 Understanding Acid-Base Strength
The strength is important in understanding acid-base chemistry.
The strength of an acid or base refers to extent of ionisation or dissociation that takes
place in a solution.

Acids are molecular structures (covalent), which will undergo ionisation.

Bases are ionic structures, which will undergo dissociation.

Ionisation – Chemical process where covalent molecules produce ions in solution.

Dissociation – Chemical process where ionic compounds produce ions in solution.

Strong acids ionise completely in solution Weak acids ionise incompletely in solution
to form a high concentration of H3O+ ions to form a low concentration of H3O+ ions
Examples Examples
Hydrochloric acid (HCl) Ethanoic acid (CH3COOH)
Sulfuric acid (H2SO4) Hydrofluoric acid (HF)
Nitric Acid (HNO3) Phosphoric acid (H3PO4)

Strong bases dissociate completely in Weak bases dissociate incompletely in

solution to form a high concentration of OH- solution to form a low concentration of OH-
ions ions
Examples: Examples:
Sodium hydroxide (NaOH) Ammonium hydroxide (NH4OH)
Potassium hydroxide (KOH) Calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)2)
Lithium hydroxide (LiOH) Magnesium hydroxide (Mg(OH)2)

Acid/Base strength must NOT be confused with concentration (c) which refer to the
amount of acid/base with certain volume of solution, defined as the number of moles (n)
per unit volume (V).
Volume = 2 L

Volume = 1 L H+ H+
H+
H+ H+ Same amount
H+ of a H+ H+
H+ H+
STRONG acid H+
H+ H+ added to both H+
containers.
More concentrated Less concentrated
How concentrated or dilute an acid or base may be is a measure of the
amount of water present in the system.
Identifying Strong & Weak Acids/Bases
The strength of acids and bases can be identified by using the Equilibrium Constant

Strong and Weak Acid

When acids are dissolved in water, they ionise according to their general equation:

HA + H2O ⇌ H3O+ + A-
The equilibrium constant is:
𝐇𝟑 𝐎+ 𝐀−
𝐊𝐜 = = 𝐊𝐚
𝐇𝐀
As this equilibrium is focused only on acids, the Kc becomes Ka, which is the
ionisation constant of an acid.

For a strong acid, where acid ionises completely, the Ka value is high (>1).
This is because the denominator concentration [HA] is low and the numerator
concentration [H3O+][A-] is high.

For a weak acid, where acid ionises partially, the Ka value is low (<1).
This is because the denominator concentration [HA] is high and the numerator
concentration [H3O+][A-] is low.

Strong and Weak Base

When acids are dissolved in water, they ionise according to their general equation:

B + H2O ⇌ BH+ + OH-

The equilibrium constant is:
𝐁𝐇 + 𝐎𝐇 −
𝐊𝐜 = = 𝐊𝐛
𝐁
As this equilibrium is focused only on bases, the Kc becomes Kb, which is the
ionisation constant of a base.
For a strong base, where the base dissociates completely, the Kb value is high (>1).
This is because the denominator concentration [B] is low and the numerator concentration
[BH+][OH-] is high.

For a weak base, where the base dissociates partially, the K b value is low (<1).
This is because the denominator concentration [B] is high and the numerator
concentration [BH+][OH-] is low.
 Equilibrium Constant for Water (Kw)
Water is an amphiprotic substance, which is able to act as both an acid and a base.

Two water molecules can undergo auto-protolysis or auto-ionisation where two molecules react
with one another and were one acts an acid (H+) and the other a base (proton acceptor).

H2O (l) + H2O (l) ⇌ H3O+ (aq) + OH- (aq)

The equilibrium constant is:

𝐊 𝐜 = 𝐇𝟑 𝐎+ 𝐎𝐇− = 𝐊 𝐰
As this equilibrium is focused only on auto-ionisation of water, the Kc becomes Kw,
which is the ionisation constant of water.
In pure water, [H3O+] = 1 x 10-7 mol.dm -7 and [OH−] = 1 x 10-7 mol.dm -7

Therefore Kw = [H3O+].[OH-] = 1 x 10-14 at room temperature

The auto-ionisation process of water is weak as evidenced by the extremely low

value of 1 x 10-14

The pH Scale

Due to the low concentrations of the hydroxide and

hydronium ions, it is simpler to refer to their negative
logarithm, which allows us to work with whole numbers.

This is the pH scale, ranging from 0 to 14, and indicates the

degree of acidity of a solution.

pH = - log [H3O+] pOH = - log [OH-]

pH + pOH = 14

Acidic Solution Neutral Solution Basic Solution

[H3O+] > [OH−] [H3O+] = [OH−] [H3O+] < [OH−]

[H3O+] > 1x10-7 [H3O+] = 1x10-7 [H3O+] < 1x10-7

The pH of a substance can only be determined when it is

in an aqueous solution.
http://cnx.org/content/col11496/1.6/
 Indicators
An indicator is substance that changes colour in the presence of an acid or base.
Indicator Colour in acid Colour in base Range
Methyl orange Orange Yellow 3.1 – 4.4
Methyl red Red Yellow 4.4 – 6.2
Bromothymol blue Yellow Blue 6 – 7.6
Phenolphthalein Colourless Pink 8.3 – 10 ACID BASE
Litmus turns red/pink in an acidic solution and blue in a basic solution RED BLUE

pH Calculations
Titrations is an experimental technique used to determine the concentration of an acid or a
base using a standard solution.

Using volumetric analysis, the unknown concertation of a solution (acid or base) may be
determined.

What to Consider When Calculating the pH

Use the equations for pH
Use the equation
pH = – log [H3O+]

Other useful equations include

[H3O+] [OH-] = 1 x 10-14

pH = 14 – p[OH–]
pH = 14 – (–log[OH–])
Use the equations for concentration
Use the equation
n mol
c= =
V dm3
Remember moles (n) can be calculated using mass of a substance (m) and its molar
mass (M):
m
n=
M
Use Mole Ratios
o Write down the full balanced reaction
o Identify the acid/base
WORKED Exam Question Paper 2, Oct/Nov 2019, Q.7

A hydrogen bromide solution, HBr(aq), reacts with water according to the following balanced
chemical equation:

HBr(aq) + H2O(ℓ) ⇌ Br-(aq) + H3O+(aq)

The Ka value of HBr(aq) at 25 °C is 1 x 109.

7.1 Is hydrogen bromide a STRONG ACID or a WEAK ACID? Give a reason for the answer. (2)

Strong acid. Large Kw value Kw > 1 (HBr) ionises completely

7.2 Write down the FORMULAE of the TWO bases in the above reaction. (2)

H2O and Br-

7.3 HBr(aq) reacts with Zn(OH)2(s) according to the following balanced equation:

Zn(OH)2(s) + 2HBr(aq) → ZnBr2(aq) + 2H2O(ℓ)

An unknown quantity of Zn(OH)2(s) is reacted with 90 cm3 of HBr(aq) in a flask.

(Assume that the volume of the solution does not change during the reaction.)

The EXCESS HBr(aq) is then neutralised by 16,5 cm3 of NaOH(aq) of concentration 0,5
mol·dm-3. The balanced equation for the reaction is:

HBr(aq) + NaOH(aq) → NaBr(aq) + H2O(ℓ)

7.3.1 Calculate the pH of the HBr solution remaining in the flask AFTER the reaction with
Zn(OH)2(s). (7)

n(NaOH)reacted = cV = 0.5 ( 0.0165) = 0.00825 mol

n(HBr)excess = n(NaOH) = 0.00825 mol

𝒏
c(H3O+) = 𝑽 = 𝟎.𝟎𝟎𝟖𝟐𝟓 = 0.092 mol.dm-3
𝟎.𝟎𝟗𝟐

pH = -log[H3O+]

= -log(0.092)
= 1.04
Continued… Paper 2, Oct/Nov 2019, Q.7

7.3.2 Calculate the mass of Zn(OH)2(s) INITIALLY present in the flask if the initial concentration
of HBr(aq) was 0,45 mol∙dm-3. (6)

n(HBr)initial = cV

= 0.45 (0.09)
= 0.0405 mol

n(HBr reacted with Zn(OH)2) = 0.0405 – 0.00825 = 0.03224 mol

𝟏
n(Zn(OH)2) = 𝟐 n(HBr)
𝟏
= 𝟐 (0.03224)

= 0.016125 mol

m(Zn(OH)2) = nM
= 0.016125 mol (99)
= 1.596 g

Past Exam Question Paper 2, May/June 2019, Q.7

7.1 Define a base in terms of the Arrhenius theory. (2)

7.2 Explain how a weak base differs from a strong base. (2)
7.3 Write down the balanced equation for the hydrolysis of NaHCO3. (3)
7.4 A learner wishes to identify element X in the hydrogen carbonate, XHCO3. To do this
she dissolves 0,4 g of XHCO3 in 100 cm3 of water. She then titrates all of this solution
with a 0,2 mol dm-3 hydrochloric acid (HCℓ) solution. Methyl orange is used as the
indicator during the titration.
7.4.1 Calculate the pH of the hydrochloric acid solution. (3)
7.4.2 Give a reason why methyl orange is a suitable indicator in this titration. (1)
At the endpoint she finds that 20 cm3 of the acid neutralised ALL the hydrogen carbonate
solution. The balanced equation for the reaction is:
XHCO3(aq) + HCℓ(aq) → XCℓ(aq) + CO2(g) + H2O(ℓ)
7.4.3 Identify element X by means of a calculation. (6)
Past Exam Question Paper 2, Oct/Nov 2017, Q.7

7.1 Ammonia ionises in water to form a basic solution according to the following balanced
equation:
NH3(g) + H2O(ℓ) ⇌ NH4+ (aq) + OH- (aq)

7.1.1 Is ammonia a WEAK or a STRONG base? Give a reason for the answer. (2)

7.1.2 Write down the conjugate acid of NH3 (g). (1)

7.1.3 Identify ONE substance in this reaction that can behave as an ampholyte in some
reactions. (1)

7.2 A learner adds distilled water to a soil sample and then filters the mixture. The pH of
the filtered liquid is then measured.
He then gradually adds an ammonia solution, NH3(aq), to this liquid and measures
the pH of the solution at regular intervals. The graph below shows the results
obtained.

7.2.1 Is the soil sample ACIDIC or BASIC? Refer to the graph above and give a
reason for the answer. (2)

7.2.2 Calculate the concentration of the hydroxide ions (OH-) in the reaction mixture

after the addition of 4 cm3 of NH3 (aq). (4)

Past Exam Question Paper 2, Oct/Nov 2018, Q.7

7.1 Sulphuric acid is a strong acid present in acid rain. It ionises in two steps as follows:

H2SO4(aq) + H2O(ℓ) ⇌ H3O+(aq) + HSO4- (aq)

HSO4- (aq) + H2O(ℓ) ⇌ H3O+(aq) + SO42- (aq)

7.1.1 Define an acid in terms of the Lowry-Brønsted theory. (2)

7.1.2 Write down the FORMULA of the conjugate base of H3O+(aq) (1)

7.1.3 Write down the FORMULA of the substance that acts as an ampholyte in the
ionisation of sulphuric acid. (2)
7.2 Acid rain does not cause damage to lakes that have rocks containing limestone
(CaCO3). Hydrolysis of CaCO3 results in the formation of ions, which neutralise the
acid.

7.2.1 Define hydrolysis of a salt. (2)

7.2.2 Explain, with the aid of the relevant HYDROLYSIS reaction, how limestone
can neutralise the acid. (3)

7.3 The water in a certain lake has a pH of 5.

7.3.1 Calculate the concentration of the hydronium ions in the water. (3)

The volume of water in the lake is 4 x 109 dm3. Lime, CaO, is added to the water
to neutralise the acid according to the following reaction:

CaO + 2H3O+ ⇌ Ca2+ + 3H2O

7.3.2 If the final amount of hydronium ions is 1,26 x 103 moles, calculate the mass of lime
that was added to the lake. (7)
 Paper2,2,MayJune
Paper Oct/Nov 2018,
2018, Q.7
Q.7
Past Exam Question

The reaction between a sulphuric acid (H2SO4) solution and a sodium hydroxide (NaOH)
solution is investigated using the apparatus illustrated below.

7.1 Write down the name of experimental procedure illustrated above. (1)

7.2 What is the function of the burette? (1)

7.3 Define an acid in terms of the Arrhenius theory. (2)

7.4 Give a reason why sulphuric acid is regarded as a strong acid. (1)

7.5 Bromothymol Blue is used as an indicator. Write down the colour change that will take place
in the Erlenmeyer flask on reaching the endpoint of the titration.

Choose from the following:

BLUE TO YELLOW YELLOW TO BLUE GREEN TO YELLOW

During the titration a learner adds 25 cm3 of NaOH(aq) of concentration 0,1 mol·dm-3 to an
Erlenmeyer flask and titrates this solution with H2SO4(aq) of concentration 0,1 mol·dm-3.

The balanced equation for the reaction that takes place is:

2NaOH(aq) + H2SO4(aq) → Na2SO4(aq) + 2H2O(ℓ)

7.6 Determine the volume of H2SO4 (aq) which must be added to neutralise the NaOH(aq)
in the Erlenmeyer flask completely. (4)
7.7 If the learner passes the endpoint by adding 5 cm 3 of the same H2SO4(aq) in excess,
calculate the pH of the solution in the flask. (7)