Acid-Base Study Guide

Acid = proton donor

Base = proton acceptor
We write the formula of an acid with a H out front to help you
identify it as an acid. Strong bases will contain hydroxide ion
(OH ) in the formula.
Remember that H+ and H3O+ are equivalent.

Strong Acids (= strong electrolytes)

Note: each reaction has water implied as a reactant, and the
H+ is donated to it to form H3O+. For example, these two
equations are equivalent:
HNO3 H+ + NO3-

and HNO3 + H2O H3O+ + NO3-

MEMORIZE THESE:
HNO3
H2SO4
HClO4
HCl
HBr
HI

Nitric Acid
Sulfuric Acid
Perchloric Acid
Hydrochloric Acid
Hydrobromic Acid
Hydroiodic Acid

HNO3 H+ + NO3H2SO4 2H+ + SO42HClO4 H+ + ClO4HCl H+ + ClHBr H+ + BrHI H+ + I-

Strong Bases (= strong electrolytes)

MEMORIZE THESE:
Group IA hydroxides LiOH, NaOH, KOH, etc
LiOH Li+ + OHNaOH Na+ + OHKOH K+ + OHand from Group IIA Ba(OH)2
Ba(OH)2 Ba2+ + 2OH-

Weak Acids (= weak electrolytes)

If the acid is not one of the strong acids above, you can
safely assume its a weak acid.
Note: like the strong acid reactions given above, each
reaction has water as a reactant, and the H+ is donated to it
to form H3O+.
EXAMPLES FROM NOMENCLATURE THAT YOU NEED
TO MEMORIZEHNO2
H2SO3

Nitrous Acid
Sulfurous Acid

H2CO3

Carbonic Acid

H3PO4

Phosphoric Acid

HNO2 W H+ + NO2H2SO3 W H+ + HSO3HSO3- W H+ + SO32H2CO3 W H+ + HCO3HCO3- W H+ + CO32H3PO4 W H+ + H2PO4H2PO4- W H+ + HPO42HPO42- W H+ + PO43-

HClO3, HClO2, HClO (and Br and I equivalents) Chloric,

Chlorous, and hypochlorous acids

Weak Bases (= weak electrolytes)

Memorize NH3 only
NH3 + H2O W NH4+ + OH-

Amphiteric (Amphiprotic) Substances - can

behave like an acid or a base
Substances that have a H out front and have a negative
charge can behave like an acid or base, for example
Acid:

HCO3- + H2O

W H3O+ + CO32-

Base:

HCO3- + H2O

W H2CO3 + OH-