Topic 9 and 19: Acids and bases

8.1.1 Define acids and bases according to the Brnsted-Lowry and Lewis
theories.
Brnsted-Lowry
Acids: proton donor
Bases: proton acceptor
Lewis
Acids: electron-pair acceptor
Bases: electron-pair donor
8.1.2 Deduce whether or not a species could act as a Brnsted-Lowry
and/or a Lewis acid or base.
Figure out if the species fits any of the definitions.
8.1.3 Deduce the formula of the conjugate acid (or base) of any BrnstedLowry base (or acid).
If originally as acid, remove a H+, if originally a base, add a H+.
8.2.1 Outline the characteristic properties of acids and bases in aqueous
solution.
Acids and bases can be distinguished using indicators
Acids react with metals, bases and carbonates to form salts
8.3.1 Distinguish between strong and weak acids and bases in terms of
the extent of dissociation, reaction with water and electrical conductivity.
Strong acids dissociate fully while weak acids only partially dissociate.
This occurs when dissolved in water.
Strong acids are better conductors than weak acids as there is a higher
concentration of ions.
8.3.2 State whether a given acid or base is strong or weak.
Common Strong Acids and Bases
Hydrochloric acid
HCl
Lithium hydroxide
LiOH
Nitric acid
HNO3
Sodium hydroxide
NaOH
Sulphuric acid
H2SO4
Potassium hydroxide
KOH
Barium hydroxide
NA(OH)2
Most of the acids and bases will be weak.

Topic 9 and 19: Acids and bases

8.3.3 Distinguish between strong and weak acids and bases, and
determine the relative strengths of acids and bases, using experimental
data.
Test electrical conductivity
Test rate of reaction
Measure pH
8.4.1 Distinguish between aqueous solutions that are acidic, neutral or
alkaline using the pH scale.
Alkaline > pH 7
Neutral = pH 7
Acidic < pH 7
8.4.2 Identify which of two or more aqueous solutions is more acidic or
alkaline using pH values.
The higher the pH the more acidic a solution is, the lower the pH the more alkaline a
solution is.
8.4.3 State that each change of one pH unit represents a 10-fold change in
the hydrogen ion concentration [H+(aq)].
Each change of one pH unit represents a 10-fold change in the hydrogen ion
concentration [H+(aq)].
8.4.4 Deduce changes in [H+(aq)] when the pH of a solution changes by
more than one pH unit.
Example: If the pH decreases 2, [H+(aq)] has increased 100.
18.1.1 State the expression for the ionic product constant of water (Kw).
] = 1.00 10
= [ ][
25
18.1.2 Deduce [H+(aq)] and [OH-(aq)] for water at different temperatures
given Kw values.
[H+(aq)] and [OH-(aq)] will always equal
which will be given for certain
temperatures.
18.1.3 Solve problems involving [H+(aq)], [OH-(aq)], pH and pOH.
pH = -log [H+], pOH = -log [OH-]
[H+] = 10-pH, [OH-] = 10-pOH

Topic 9 and 19: Acids and bases

18.1.4 State the equation for the reaction of any weak acid or weak base
with water, and hence deduce the expressions for Ka and Kb.
Acids
Bases

+
+

+
[ ][ ]
[
][
]
=
=
[ ]
[ ]
18.1.5 Solve problems involving solutions of weak acids and bases using
the expression:
Ka Kb = Kw pKa + pKb = pKw pH + pOH = pKw.
In questions, figure out what you have, what you need and then figure out what
expressions will allow you to get there.
Other useful equations:
pKa = -log Ka, pKb= -log Kb
Ka = 10-pKa, [OH-] = 10-pKb
18.1.6 Identify the relative strengths of acids and bases using values of
Ka, Kb, pKa and pKb.
Strong acids and bases: High K and low pK
Weak acids and bases: Low K and high pK
18.2.1 Describe the composition of a buffer solution and explain its action.
A buffer solution is a solution that resists pH change when small amounts of acid or
alkali are added. It contains a weak acid or base and the salt of that weak acid or
base. Usually buffer solutions are created by adding a strong acid together with a
weak base or vice versa, where the strong acid or base is the limiting reagent. An
example of the composition of a buffer solution is ethanoic acid and sodium
ethanoate.
If an acid is added, the proton is absorbed by the negative ion of the salt
e.g. CH3COO- + H+ CH3COOH
If an alkali is added, the hydroxide ion is absorbed by the undissociated acid
e.g. CH3COOH + OH- CH3COO- + H2O
18.2.2 Solve problems involving the composition and pH of a specified
buffer system.
Use the same techniques as in 18.5.1

Topic 9 and 19: Acids and bases

18.3.1 Deduce whether salts form acidic, alkaline or neutral aqueous

solutions.
Dependent on whether they can absorb H+ or OH- from the dissociation of water.
Strong acid + strong base = neutral salt
Weak acid + strong base = basic salt
Strong acid + weak base = acidic salt
Weak acid + Weak base = cannot generalise
18.4.1 Sketch the general shapes of graphs of pH against volume for
titrations involving strong and weak acids and bases, and explain their
important features.
Strong acid and strong base
Weak acid and strong base

Strong acid and weak base

Weak acid and weak base

Topic 9 and 19: Acids and bases

18.5.1 Describe qualitatively the action of an acid-base indicator.

Example of indicator: HIn H+ + InHIn reflects colour A while In- reflects colour B. The more acidic a solution is, the
more the equilibrium will move to the reactants, and the more basic a solution is,
the more the equilibrium will shift to the right. Whichever side the equilibrium
favours will determine which colour is dominant.
18.5.2 State and explain how the pH range of an acid-base indicator
relates to its pKa value.
The pKa value of and indicator indicates at what pH the end point of an indicator is
reached at.
18.5.3 Identify an appropriate indicator for a titration, given the
equivalence point of the titration and the pH range of the indicator.
An indicator is appropriate from a titration if the pH range of the equivalence point
of the titration includes the pKa value of the indicator. For weak acid/weak base
titrations, indicators are never appropriate .