ACID – BASE EQUILIBRIUM Acid – Base Equilibrium

Ka, Kb, and Salt Hydrolysis

Ionization: That’s What it’s All About!

What I Absolutely Have to Know to Survive the AP Exam Relative Strengths
The following might indicate the question deals with acid – base equilibrium: A strong acid or base ionizes completely in aqueous solution (100% ionized [or very darn close to it!])
pH, pOH, [H3O+], [OH−], strong and weak, salt hydrolysis, solubility product, Ka, Kb, acid or base dissociation constant, • The equilibrium position lies far, far to the right (favors products)…
percent ionized, Bronsted-Lowry, Arrhenius, hydronium ion, etc… • Since a strong acid/base dissociates into the ions, the concentration of the H3O+/OH− ion is equal to the
original concentration of the acid/base respectively.
Acids and Bases: By Definition! • They are strong electrolytes.
• Do Not confuse concentration (M or mol/L) with strength!
Arrhenius
• Strong Acids
• Acids: Hydrogen ion, H+, donors
• Hydrohalic acids: HCl, HBr, HI; Nitric: HNO3; Sulfuric: H2SO4; Perchloric: HClO4
• Bases: Hydroxide ion, OH− donors
• Oxyacids! More oxygen atoms present, the stronger the acid WITHIN that group. The H+ that is “donated” is
HCl → H+ + Cl− bonded to an oxygen atom. The oxygen atoms are highly electronegative and are pulling the bonded pair of
NaOH → Na+ + OH− electrons AWAY from the site where the H+ is bonded, “polarizing it”, which makes it easier [i.e. requires less
Bronsted-Lowry energy] to remove − thus the stronger the acid!
• Acids: proton donors (lose H+) O
• Bases: proton acceptors (gain H+)
HNO3 + H2O → H3O+ + NO3−
1++2⇌1+2+í
H O Br < H O Br O < H O Br

O
Hydrogen Ion, Hydronium Ion, Which is it!!!? • Strong Bases
• Group IA and IIA (1 and 2) metal hydroxides; be cautious as the pour solubility of Be(OH)2 and Mg(OH)2
Hydronium − H+ riding piggy-back on a water molecule; water is polar and the + charge of the naked proton is greatly limits the effectiveness of these 2 strong bases.
attracted to “Mickey's chin” (i.e. the oxygen atom) • IT’S A 2 for 1 SALE with the Group 2 (IIA) ions), i.e. 0.10M Ca(OH)2 is 0.20M OH −
• H3O+ “Anthony”
• H+ “Tony” Where the fun begins…
• Often used interchangeably in problems; if H3O+ is used be sure water is in the equation! A weak acid or base does not completely ionize (usually < 10%)
• They are weak electrolytes.
Bronsted−Lowry and Conjugate Acids and Bases: What a Pair! • The equilibrium position lies far to the left (favors reactants)…
Acid and conjugate base pairs differ by the presence of one H+ ion. • [H+] is much less than the acid concentration − thus to calculate this amount and the resulting pH you must
return to the world of EQUILIBRIUM Chemistry!
HC2H3O2 + H2O → H3O+ + C2H3O2−
• The vast majority of acid/bases are weak. Remember, ionization not concentration!!!!
• HC2H3O2 is the acid; thus C2H3O2− is its conjugate base (what remains after the H+ has been donated to the H2O
molecule) • Acids and Bases ionize one proton (or H+) at a time!
• H2O behaves as a base in this reaction. The hydronium ion is its conjugate acid (what is formed after the H2O • For weak acid reactions: HA + H2O → H3O+ + A−
accepts the H+ ion) [H 3O + ][A - ]
Ka = where K a is typically much less than 1
NH3 + H2O → NH4+ + OH− [HA]
• NH3 is the base; thus NH4+ is it’s conjugate acid (what is formed after the NH3 accepts the H+ ion) • For weak base reactions: B + H2O → HB+ + OH−
• H2O behaves as an acid in this reaction. The hydroxide ion is its conjugate base (what remains after the H+ has
been donated to NH3) [HB+ ][OH - ]
Kb = where K b is typically much less than 1
[B]
Understanding conjugate acid/base pairs is very important in understanding acid-base chemistry; this concepts allows for
the understanding of many complex situations (buffers, titrations, etc…)

Important Notes…
Amphiprotic/amphoteric--molecules or ions that can behave as EITHER acids or bases; water, some anions of weak acids,
etc… fit this bill.
Monoprotic − acids donating one H+
Diprotic − acids donating two H+
Polyprotic − acids donating 3+ H+

Regardless, always remember: ACIDS ONLY DONATE ONE PROTON AT A TIME!!!

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 Acid – Base Equilibrium Acid – Base Equilibrium

Ionization: That’s What it’s All About! con’t. Salts and pH: It’s all about Hydrolysis con’t
Working it Out! Working it Out!
Calculating the pH of weak acids simply requires some quick problem solving… Calculating the pH of a salt solution
• MONUMENTAL CONCEPT… • A salt in solution is either behaving as a weak acid or a weak base.
• On the AP Exam the weak acid will be significantly weak so that the initial [HA]o is mathematically the • Remember, this means they do not ionize much. So treat them just like any other weak acid or base.
same as the equilibrium concentration − i.e. there is no need to subtracting the amount of weak acid ionized • The MAJOR DIFFERENCE; no Ka or Kb value will be provided. The salt is the conjugate acid or base to
as it is mathematically insignificant. some weak acid or base that is provided - that K will be given you need to convert it.
• If given the concentration of the weak acid, HA and the ionization constant for the acid, Ka, plug both into the • Example, the salt NaC2H3O2; the Ka for HC2H3O2 is typically provided. The Kb needs to be
equilibrium expression and solve. Both H3O+ and A− are equal (remember it
s 1:1 always) so call them x and calculated.
solve. [H O + ][A - ] • K a × K b = 1× 10 −14 Very important!
Ka = 3
[HA] • Then solveDVVKRZQ below to find the pH…
• Thus all you need to know is… [x][x]
Kb = where x = [OH - ]
[x][x] [x][x] [M o ]
Ka = where x = [H 3O + ] or K b = where x = [OH - ]
[M o ] [M o ]
• Never forget K a × K b = 1×10−14
• Very important when you are given the ionization constant for the acid but need the conjugate base and vice-versa.
• Percent Ionization
• Often will be asked to determine how ionized the weak acid or base is…
[x]
%= × 100 where x = [H 3O + ]or[OH − ]
[M o ]

Salts and pH: It’s all about Hydrolysis

A salt is the PRODUCT of an acid base reaction; SOME salts affect the pH of the solution.
So… an easy way to tell, you ask…?
• Ask yourself, which acid and which base are needed to make that salt?….were they strong or weak?
1. A salt such as NaNO3 does not affect the pH of the solution; if it could hydrolyze water the following
would happen:
Na+ + 2 H2O → NaOH + H3O+
NO3− + H2O → HNO3 + OH−
− Neither of the salt’s ions can hydrolyze water because it would result in the formation of a strong
acid (HNO3) or a strong base (NaOH), which would ionize 100% back into the ions.
2. K2S would make the solution more basic—SB (KOH) & WA (H2S)
− NOTE: Only the ion that formV a weak acid or base through water hydrolysis can actaully
hydrolyze water.
In this case:
S2− + H2O → H2S + OH−
The increase in OH− ions means the anion of this salt makes the solution more basic…
3. NH4Cl would make the solution more acidic—since WB (NH4OH – or NH3) & SA (HCl)
In this case:
NH4+ + H2O → NH3 + H3O+
The increase in H3O+ ion means the solution is more acidic…

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 Acid – Base Equilibrium

Acid – Base Equilibrium Cheat Sheet

Relationships

Equilibrium Expression
[H 3O + ][A - ] [HB+ ][OH - ]
Ka = Kb =
[HA] [B]
[x][x] [x][x]
Ka = where x = [H 3O + ] Kb = where x = [OH - ]
[M o ] [M o ]
[x]
%= ×100 where x = [H 3O + ]or[OH − ]
[M o ]

K a × K b = 1×10−14 pH = −log[H+]

pH + pOH = 14 pOH = −log[OH−]

Kw = [H3O+][OH−] = 1.0×10−14 @ 25°C Acidic pH < 7 [H3O+] > [OH−]

Neutral pH = 7 [H3O+] = [OH−] Basic pH > 7 [H3O+] < [OH−]

Conjugate acids and bases Ksp = [M+]x[A−]y MA(s)
xM+(aq)+ yA−(aq)

Connections

Equilibrium Buffers and Titrations

Precipitation and Qualitative Analysis Bonding and Lewis Structures − justify oxyacid strengths

Potential Pitfalls
Ka or Kb with salt pH

Weak acids and bases − be sure you know what you are
using, acid or base – Ka or Kb; solving a Kb problem gives Weak is about IONIZATION not CONCENTRATION
[OH−] thus you are finding the pOH!

&RS\ULJKW‹1DWLRQDO0DWK6FLHQFH,QLWLDWLYH'DOODV7H[DV$OO5LJKWV5HVHUYHG9LVLWXVRQOLQHDWZZZQPVRUJ 3DJH
 BUFFERS AND TITRATIONS Buffers and Titrations
As Easy As It Ever Gets

Buffers: Calculating pH Con’t

What I Absolutely Have to Know to Survive the AP Exam
The following might indicate the question deals with buffers and/or titrations: Example:
buffer solution, common ion, conjugate base/acid, equivalence point, ½ equivalence point, end-point, weak acid/base Calculate the pH of a solution containing 0.75 M lactic acid, HC3H5O3 (Ka = 1.4×10−4), and 0.25 M sodium lactate,
“reacted with a strong..”, titrant, buret, analyte, etc… NaC3H5O3.
! Lactic acid is the weak ACID and lactate ion is its conjugate BASE

Buffers: All about those “common ions” [Acid ] = (1.4 ×10−4 ) [0.75] = 4.2 ×10−4
 H3O+  = K a
IS: A buffer is a solution of a weak acid or base and its salt [which is its conjugate]. [Base] [0.25]
DOES: A buffer resists a change in pH. pH = − log(4.2 × 10−4 ) = 3.38

HOW IT WORKS: Since a buffer consists of both an acid or base and its conjugate, which differ by an H+, both a weak Example:
acid and a weak base are present in all buffer solutions. A buffered solution contains 0.250 M NH3 (Kb = 1.80×10−5) and 0.400 M NH4Cl. Calculate the pH of this solution.
! NH3 is the weak BASE and NH4+ is its conjugate ACID
In order to understand buffers and buffer problems we must be proficient with the following… ! When you are given a weak base and its salt you will often need to calculate Ka then plug in – don’t get in a hurry
• MUST know the conjugate A/B concept to be successful at buffer problems. This means understanding that HA and mistakenly use the Kb!
has A− as it’s conjugate and that NaA is not only a salt, but that any soluble salt releases the common ion, A−
• pH = −log [H+] K a × K b = 1.00 × 10−14
• Ka × Kb = Kw 1.00 × 10−14
• Any titration involving a weak A/B, from the first drop to the last, before equivalence, is a buffer problem. If HA Ka = = 5.56 × 10−10
1.8 × 10−5
is titrated with NaOH, as soon as the first drop splashes into the container, I’ve added A− ions to the solution and
the presence of both HA and A− constitutes a buffer solution. [Acid ] −10 [ 0.400] −10
 H 3O  = K a [Base] = (5.56 × 10 ) [0.250] = 8.89 × 10
+

pH = − log(8.89 × 10−10 ) = 9.051

Buffers: Calculating pH
Example:
Solving Buffer Problems with the one and only, handy dandy, all I’m ever going to need equation…
Calculate the pH of a solution prepared by mixing 20.0 mL of 0.300 M acetic acid, HC2H3O2, with 20.0 mL of 0.350 M
NaC2H3O2. Ka for acetic acid is 1.80×10-5
[Acid ]
 H3O  = K a [Base]
+ ! Acetic acid is the weak ACID and acetate ion is its conjugate BASE
! Recalculate molarities OR better yet just calculate the number of moles (volumes are the same as they are all in
Where: the same solution so they cancel)….
Ka – is the acid dissociation constant
[Acid] – is the concentration of the substance behaving as the weak acid in the buffered solution 20.0 mL × 0.300 M = 6.00mPRODFLG
! Either the weak acid or the salt of the weak base 20.0 mL × 0.350 M = 7.00mPROFonjugate base
[Base] – is the concentration of the substance behaving as the weak base in the buffered solution
! Either the weak base or the salt of the weak acid  H 3O +  = K a
[Acid ] = (1.80 × 10−5 ) [6.00] = 1.54 × 10−5
[Base] [7.00]
To Solve: pH = − log (1.54 × 10−5 ) = 4.812
! MUST recognize who’s who in the buffered and then solve with the equation
! If the buffer is a weak acid, HA, and its conjugate salt, A− then HA is the acid and A− is the base.
! If the buffer is a weak base, B, and its conjugate salt, BH+, then B is the base and BH+ is the acid.
! You still use the Ka; thus you must calculate it first using the Kb provided for the weak base
! If concentrations are given plug and chug
! If concentrations of separate solutions are given with volumes and the two are added together you must
recalculate the “new concentrations” due to dilution of additive volumes.

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 Buffers and Titrations Buffers and Titrations

Buffer Attack: Who Defends?

The purpose of a buffer solution is to resist large swings in pH. If a small amount of strong acid is added to the buffer, Preparing a Buffer: It’s all about Ka and the Ratio!
there is a base component ready and waiting to neutralize the “invader”. The same goes for the addition of a small amount
of strong base, there is an acid component ready and waiting to neutralize it… If asked to describe how to prepare a buffer of a certain pH… think  H3O+  = K a
[Acid ]
[Base]
Strong Acid Attack ! Use 0.10 M to 1.0 M solutions of reagents & choose an acid whose Ka is near the [H3O+] concentration we want.
! If strong acid is added to a buffer solution, the pH will decrease but not nearly as much as it would without the
Or its pKa should be as close to the pH desired as possible. Adjust the ratio of
[Acid] to fine tune the pH.
buffer solution.
[Base]
! When the strong acid is added, the weak base component of the buffer neutralizes the strong acid − thus the strong
! It is the relative # of moles (not M) of acid/CB or base/CA that is important since they are in the same solution and
acid is eliminated, the number of moles of weak base decreases, and the number of moles of weak acid increases.
share the same solution volume.
Example:
! This allows companies to make concentrated versions of buffer and let the customer dilute--this will not affect
! A buffer solution is made using the weak acid HA and itVsalt A− (itVconjugate base). To the buffer solution the # of moles present--just the dilution of those moles. So on the EXAM, never fall for the trick of “what
you add strong acid, HCl. The buffer “works” because the HCl reacts with the base component of the buffer (A−) happens to the pH of the buffer solution after the addition of 250 mL of water. Yes the [Acid] and [Base] are
according to the equation below
HCl + A− → HA + Cl− diluted but the
[Acid] ratio is the same and that is what matters in a buffer!
[Base]
! Thus the buffer solution eliminates all of the HCl (or the H+ or H3O+) and sacrifices some of the weak base (A−) IMPORTANT NOTE:
making more weak acid, HA. ! When equal concentrations of Acid and Base are present [which occurs at the ½ equivalence point of a titration]
! The weak acid HA will ionize in water to make more H3O+ ions thus the pH will decrease the ratio of acid to base equals ONE and therefore, the pH = pKa.
HA + H2O ⇌ H3O + A−
! However since H$ is a weak acid the amount of ionization is very small (less than 5%) it doesn’t produce a large
amount of H3O+ ions DQGthus its impact on the pH is not as significant.

Strong Base Attack

! If strong base is added to a buffer solution, the pH will increase but not nearly as much as it would without the
buffer solution.
! When the strong base is added, the weak acid component of the buffer neutralizes the strong base − thus the
strong base is eliminated, the number of moles of weak acid decreases, and the number of moles of weak base
increases.
Example:
! A buffer solution is made using the weak acid HA and itV salt A− (itVFonjugate base). To the buffer solution
you add strong base, NaOH. The buffer “works” because the NaOH reacts with the acid component of the buffer
(HA) according to the equation below
NaOH + HA → H2O + Na+ + A−

! Thus the buffer solution eliminates all of the NaOH (or the OH−) and sacrifices some of the weak acid (HA)
making more weak base, A−.
! The weak base A− can “react” with water to fRUP more OH− ions thus the pH will increase
A− + H2O ⇌ OH− + HA
! However since A− is a weak base the amount of ionization is very small (less than 5%) doesn’t produce a
large amount of OH− LonsDQG thus its impact on the pH is not as significant

CAUTION:
If the number of moles of the “invader” exceeds the moles present in the buffer then the invader has overrun the buffer
and the pH will increase/decrease significantly – the buffer has failed!

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 Buffers and Titrations Buffers and Titrations

Acid-Base Titrations: It Depends on Where You Are! Acid-Base Titrations: It Depends on Where You Are! Con’t
There are 3 types of titrations you will be dealing with. ZONE 3: The pH at the Equivalence Point
! This is simply a weak base problem
1. Strong Acid and Strong Base ! At the equivalence point ALL of the WEAK ACID has been reacted with the STRONG
! Net ionic reaction: H+ + OH− → H2O BASE − the only species left are H2O and the SALT – which is the Conjugate Base of the
! Only when the acid AND base are both strong is the pH at the equivalence point 7. [Any other Weak Acid you titrated.
conditions and you get to do a nasty equilibrium problem.] This is really a stoichiometry problem ! Remember that the amount of strong base added = amount of weak acid reacted = amount
with a limiting reactant. The “excess” is responsible for the pH of salt made
! Just deal with what is left over. Be sure you are in moles if additive volumes are given and ! Thus the molarity of the salt in solution is
recalculate the M after doing the stoichiometry work – remember, when you add volumes dilution moles of salt formed
occurs! M=
total L of solution at the equivalence pt.
! Use pH = −log [H+] to determine the pH of the solution. ! Since this is simply a weak base problem:
x2
Kb = where x = [OH− ] ; find the pOH then convert to pH
2. Weak Acid and Strong Base M
! The equivalence point – the pH > 7
! 4 ZONES OF INTEREST ALONG A TITRATION CURVE for a Weak Acid and Strong Base CAUTION: Must calculate the Kb of the salt using the Ka of the weak acid
Titration
ZONE 4: Beyond the Equivalence Point
ZONE 1 ! It’s all about the excess
! The pH before the titration begins. ! Calculate the amount of excess strong base added beyond the equivalence point and then
! This is simply a weak acid problem – before the titration begins all you have is weak acid recalculate its M. This is a strong base so pOH = − log [OH−]
in the flask!
3. Weak Base and Strong Acid
x2
Ka = where x = [H3O+ ] ! Just like the Weak Acid/Strong Base above, just flip flop the process…
M ! The equivalence point < pH 7
ZONE 2
! The pH during the titration but before the equivalence point.
IMPORTANT NOTES:
! Once the titration begins the weak acid reacts with the strong base producing salt and
There is a distinction between the equivalence point and the end point.
water. The salt is the conjugate base of the weak acid. This is a BUFFER problem!!!
! The end point is when the indicator changes color.
HA + OH− → H2O + A− ! The equivalence point is when the number of moles of acid = number of moles of base in the
titration
! Remember that the amount of strong base added = amount of weak acid reacted = amount ! If you’ve made a careful choice of indicator or are using a pH probe, the equivalence point
of salt (conjugate base) produced and the end point of the titration will be achieved at the same time
! Plug in the amount of weak acid left and the amount of salt produced into the handy, ! When choosing an indicator, determine the pH at the equivalence pt., then, pick the indicator that has
dandy, all I’m ever going to need equation a pKa close to the pH at the equivalence point
[Acid ]
 H3O  = K a [Base]
+

CAUTION! TIME SAVER: At the ½ equivalence point [Weak Acid] = [ConjugDte Base formed] thus [H3O+] = Ka

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 Buffers and Titrations

Buffers and Titrations Cheat Sheet

Relationships
[Acid ] x2
 H3O  = K a [Base]
+
Ka = where x = [H3O+ ]
M
x2
Kb = where x = [OH− ] K a × K b = 1×10−14
M
pH = −log[H+] pOH = −log[OH−]
4 ZONES OF INTEREST ALONG A TITRATION CURVE for a Weak Acid and Strong Base
x2 x2
1. Initial pH − simply a weak acid/weak base problem K a = where x = [H3O+ ] or Kb = where x = [OH− ]
M M
2. During the titration − BUFFER, BUFFER, IT’S A BUFFER!  H3O+  = K a
[Acid ] where the weak and its
[Base]
conjugate salt are what we need to know about.
3. Equivalence Pt. − only salt and water left; the salt is either a weak base (if a weak acid was titrated) or a weak
x2 x2
acid (if a weak base was titrated); work it as such: K a = where x = [H3O+ ] or Kb = where x = [OH− ]
M M
BUT you have to convert Ka to Kb or vise versa!!!
4. Beyond the Equivalence Pt. − This is a stoichiometry problem; find out how much STRONG (acid or base) is left
after equivalence, recalculate its molarity (remember the volume increased during the titration), and use
pH = −log[H+] or pOH = −log[OH−]
Be aware of where the volume of STRONG added in the titration is ½ way to equivalence point!

! Here  H3O+  = K a because the

[Acid] is 1 (same amount of weak acid (base) and its conjugate are
[Base]
present. HUGE time saver and easy way to find the Ka or Kb of the weak acid or base.
! In a titration problem ALWAYS know where the equivalence point is!!!!!!

BUFFERS: Only need to use the equation:  H3O+  = K a

[Acid ] ; read carefully and know who is the weak acid (base)
[Base]
and who is the conjugate salt (it plays the other role!).

Don’t be tricked − NEVER select a strong acid or base as a part of a buffer solution; it HAS TO BE WEAK

When a buffered solution is “attacked” remember:

! If the attacker is a strong acid; the base component of the buffer “sacrifices” and reacts with the invading acid,
converting it to water and more weak acid − thus resisting large decreases in the pH
! If the attacker is a strong base; the acid component of the buffer “sacrifices” and reacts with the invading base,
converting it to water and more weak base − thus resisting large increases in the pH
Connections
Equilibrium Stoichiometry
Potential Pitfalls and Things to Watch For
Knowing when you need Ka or Kb Recognizing the weak organic bases
BE AWARE of when a weak acid (base) is present with its conjugate salt − HELLO! YOU ARE IN THE BUFFER
ZONE!!!!

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 Name: __________________

AP Chemistry Free Response Review

Unit 8

Directions: Below are a student’s answer to a free response. Every question is either incorrect or partially
incorrect. These are from SEPARATE student answers so there are no relationships between answers from
separate questions. For example, what is incorrect about b.) is NOT that it doesn’t use the answers form a.). You
need to tell me why it is wrong and provide the correct answer.

Free Response 1
C6H5NH2 + H2O  C6H5NH3+ + OH- Kb=3.8x10-10
1. Aniline reacts with water as indicated by the reaction above.
a. Write the expression for the equilibrium constant, Kb, for the reaction above

[𝑂𝐻 − ][𝐶6 𝐻5 𝑁𝐻3+ ] Correct response

𝐾𝑏 =
[𝐶6 𝐻5 𝑁𝐻2 ][𝐻2 𝑂]

What is wrong?

b. Calculate pH of a 0.15M solution

𝑝𝑂𝐻 = − log[𝑂𝐻 − ] Correct response

𝑝𝑂𝐻 = − log[0.15]

𝑝𝑂𝐻 = 0.824

𝑝𝐻 = 𝑝𝐾𝑤 − 𝑝𝑂𝐻

𝑝𝐻 = 14 − 0.824

pH=13.2

What is wrong?
 c. Determine the percent ionization of the weak base aniline, C6H5NH2.

[𝑂𝐻 − ] Correct response

%𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑖𝑧𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 = × 100
[𝑀𝑂𝐻]

7.55 × 10−6
%𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑖𝑧𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 =
0.15

%𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑖𝑧𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 = 5.03 × 10−5

What is wrong?

d. Aniline is an organic base which utilizes an amine group to hydrolyze water into hydroxide ions. Organic
acids, like citric acid seen below contain a carboxyl group which acts as a proton donor in solution. On the
structural diagram below circle ONE of the hydrogens which could be donated.

Correct response

What is wrong?
Free Response 2
Titration of HA with 0.1 M NaOH
16

14

12

10
pH

0
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40
Volume of NaOH added (mL)

2. A solution of 0.100 M of a weak unknown acid, HA, and a solution of 0.100 M NaOH are prepared. A 20.0 mL
sample of one of the solutions is added to a beaker and then titrated with the other solution. A pH electrode is
used to obtain the data that are plotted in the titration curve shown above. that are plotted in the titration
curve shown above.
a. Identify the solution that was initially added to the beaker. Explain your reasoning.

The indicator was initially added to the beaker because Correct response
you always have an indictor in a titration, that’s why
there is a slight increase in pH between 0mL and 5mL
of base added

What is wrong?
 b. On the titration curve above, circle the point that corresponds to the equivalence point.

Correct response
Titration of HA with 0.1 M NaOH
16
14
12
10
pH

8
6
4
2
0
0 10 20 30 40
Volume of NaOH added (mL)

What is wrong?

c. At the equivalence point, how many moles of titrant have been added?

(𝐻)𝑀𝑎 𝑉𝑎 = (𝑂𝐻)𝑀𝑏 𝑉𝑏 Correct response

(𝑂𝐻)𝑀𝑏 𝑉𝑏
𝑉𝑎 =
(𝐻)𝑀𝑎

(1)0.1𝑀(25𝑚𝐿)
𝑉𝑎 =
(1)0.1

𝑉𝑎 = 25𝑚𝐿

What is wrong?

d. The same titration is to be performed again, this time using an indicator. Use the information in the table
below to select the best indicator for the titration. Explain your choice.

Indicator pH range of color change

Methyl violet 0 – 1.6

Methyl red 4-6

Alizarin yellow 10 -12

Litmus paper, when it turns blue you’ve produced a Correct response
base.

What is wrong?

e. Your teacher claims that the acid is one of the three on the table, based on the data what is the identity of
the gas. Justify your answer.

Possible acids Ka

Hydrofluoric acid 7.2 x 10-4

Oxalic acid 5.9 x 10-2

Arsenic acid 9.3 x 10-8

Arsenic acid, since the equivalence point has a pH Correct response

around 8, and the pKa of arsenic acid is approximately
8.

What is wrong?