CHAPTER 15

ACIDS AND BASES

Strong acid and base completely ionized
Weak acid and base partially ionized
Law of chemical equilibrium is applicable to
solutions of weak electrolytes.
Ka ionization constant for weak acid
Kb ionization constant for weak base
Ionization constant indicator of the strength
of the acid or base.

What is the pH of a 0.005 M C6H5COOH if Ka =

6.5 x 10-5
To determine the pH, solve first for the H+ ion
concentration.
Solve for the percent ionization? Percent
ionization is the extent by which the acid
ionizes and it is directly proportional to
dilution. This is obtained by divided the H+ by
the original concentration of the acid times
100.
What is the pH of 3.5M NH4OH if Kb = 1.8 x
10-5

1. The Ka for benzoic acid is 6.5 x 10-5..

Calculate the pH of a 0.10 M benzoic acid
solution.
2. A 0.0560-g quantity of acetic acid is
dissolved in enough water to make 50.0 mL
of solution. Calculate the concentrations of
H+, CH3COO-, and CH3COOH at equilibrium.
(Ka for acetic acid is 1.8 x 10-5.)
3. The pH of an acid solution is 6.20.
Calculate the Ka for the acid. The initial acid
concentration is 0.010 M.
4. What is the original molarity of a solution
of formic acid (HCOOH) whose pH is 3.26 at

5. Calculate the percent ionization of benzoic

acid having the following concentrations:
(a) 0.20 M, (b) 0.00020 M.
6. Calculate the percent ionization of
hydrofluoric acid at the following
concentrations: (a) 0.60 M, (b) 0.0046 M, (c)
0.00028 M. Comment on the trends. Ka = 7.1
x 10-4
7. A 0.040 M solution of a monoprotic acid is
14 percent ionized. Calculate the ionization
constant of the acid.