Acids and Bases: Part 1 Assessment Rubric

1. Which of the following does not fit the definition of a Brnsted acid
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

H3PO4
H2O
CO2
NH4+
HCO3-

Blooms score: 1
Scoring:
1: wrong
4: right
2. The following diagrams represent aqueous solutions of two monoprotic acids, HX and HY (water
molecules not shown but implied).
a. Identify each acid (HX and HY) as a strong or weak acid. HY is a strong acid. HX is a weak
acid.
b. Write one sentence to explain your answer.
HY is completely ionized. HX is not completely ionized.

HX
HX

HY
HX

Blooms score: 3
Scoring:
1: Doesnt answer or nothing correct.
Example of incorrect answer: misassign both HX and HY and explain by saying the strong acid has less
charges and weak has more charges
2: One correct identification only.
3: Both correct identification, but incorrect or absent explanation.
Example of explanation with misconception: more H+ means that it is a strong acid

4: Correct identification and explanation.

3. Label each member of the following weak acid ionization as acid, base, conjugate acid, and
conjugate base. Draw lines connecting the conjugate acid/base pairs.

acid

base
acid

Conjugate
base

Conjugate
acid

Blooms score: 2
Scoring:
1: No part correct
2: Some correct designations
Example: correct acid/base but not conjugate acid/conjugate base
3: All correct designations but not CAB pairs OR correct CAB pairs but not designations
Most common example: designations correct but the lines connect the acid to the conjugate acid and
base to conjugate base
4: All correct
4. If a teaspoon of milk of magnesia contains 12.0 mg of Mg(OH)2, what volume of 0.01M HCl
(stomach acid) can be neutralized? (Hint: start by writing a balanced chemical equation).
2 HCl(aq) + Mg(OH)2(s) 2H2O(l) + MgCl2(aq)
mg Mg(OH)2 g Mg(OH)2 mol Mg(OH)2 mol HCl liters 0.01M HCl
MWMg(OH)2 = 58.33 g/mol
12.0 mg (1g/1000 mg) (1mol/58.33 g) (2mol HCl/ 1mol Mg(OH)2) (1L/0.01 mol HCl) = 0.041 L HCl= 41.
mL HCl
Blooms score: 4
Scoring:
1: No part correct
2: Balanced equation correct only or very few correct conversions
3: Balanced equation correct, conversions thought out correctly, incorrect math, final calculation error
4: All correct

5. In the lab, you need to dispose of 500 mL of a 6.0 M solution of hydrochloric acid. You have a
solution of 1.0 M sodium hydroxide. Explain (with a calculation and in words) how to neutralize
the acid so it can be safely poured down the drain.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Figure out the neutralization reaction of HCl and NaOH.

Determine the number of moles that need to be neutralized. (0.500 L * 6.0 mol/L)
Recognize that the 1:1 mol ration means that you need the same # moles NaOH
Determine the number of mL NaOH corresponds with those moles (moles / 1.0 mol/L)
Add sodium hydroxide to HCl solution

Blooms score: 5
Scoring:
1: No part correct
2: Recognize the neturalization reaction
Example: Recognize neutralization but use molar mass of NaCl (dont understand proper
stoichiometry)
3: Recognize you need to use amount of -OH needed to neutralize and this is the H+ present but
execute incorrectly (poorly calculated)
Example: calculate grams of NaOH instead of mL
4: All correct
Another acceptable answer: use C1V1=C2V2 (works because we have a 1:1 ratio)