ACID, BASES AND SALTS III

pH and pOH
pH is a measure of hydrogen ion concentration [H+] or hydroxonium ion concentration [H3O+] in a
solution. It is a measure of the strength of the acid or base character of a substance.

pOH is a measure of hydroxyl ion concentration [OH–]

Ionic Product of Water (Kw)
H2O(l) ⇌ H+(aq) + OH–(aq)
2H2O(l) ⇌ H3O+(aq) + OH–(aq)

The concentration of the two ions in water H+ & OH– is 10-7

[H+] is the concentration of hydrogen ion
[OH–] is the concentration of hydroxyl ion.

The product is
[H+] [OH–] = 10-7 X 10-7 = 10-14
Kw is the ionic product of water or dissociation constant of water at 25ºC.
When [H+] = [OH–], the liquid is neutral
[H+] = [OH–] = 10-7 mol/dm3
The ionic product, Kw = [H+] [OH–] = 10-14 enables pOH to record alkalinity as well as acidity.

Calculation of pH and pOH:

pH is defined as the negative Logarithm to base 10 of hydrogen ion concentration [H+] expressed in
moles per dm3.
pH = -Log10[H+], pH = – Log10 [H3O+]
pOH is defined as the negative Logarithm to base 10 of hydroxyl ion concentration [OH–] expressed in
moles per dm3.
pOH = -Log10 [OH–]
pH + pOH = pKw
7 + 7 = 14
pH + pOH = pKw = 14
The pH scale ranges from 1 to 14, in which case, 1 is the lower limit and 14 is the upper limit.
An acidic solution has a pH value less than 7. As pH decreases, the acidity of the solution increases.
Neutral solutions have a pH of 7. An alkaline solution has a pH greater than 7 and the level of alkalinity
increases as the pH increases.
pH or pOH can be calculated if the concentration (in mol dm3) containing H+, H3O+, or OH– is known.
There are two important cases in this respect.
(a) Aqueous solutions of strong acid and bases. Here, ionization is assumed to be total in the production
of H+, H3O+, or OH–.
Examples are;
(i) HCl(aq) + H2O(l) →→H3O+(aq) + Cl–(aq)
(ii) HCl(aq) →→H+(aq) + Cl–(aq)
(iii) NaOH(aq) →→ Na+(aq) + OH–(aq)

(b) By considering the appropriate mole ratio between the acid or base and the furnished ions (H+, H3O–
or OH–). The concentration of H+, H3O– or OH– can be deduced, and hence, the pH or pOH of the solution
calculated.
Example I:
Find the hydrogen ion concentration [H+] or hydroxyl ion concentration [OH–] of the following
(i) 0.1M of HCl
(ii) 0.001M of NaOH
(iii) 0.01 M of H2SO4
(iv) 0.004M of KOH

Solution
(i) 0.1M of HCl
HCl(aq) ⇌ H+(aq) + Cl–(aq)
[H+] = 10-1

(ii) 0.001M of NaOH

NaOH(aq) ⇌ Na+(aq) + OH–(aq)
[OH–] = 10-3

(iii) 0.01M of H2SO4

H2SO4(aq) ⇌2H+(aq) + SO42-(aq)
0.01 x 2 = 2 x 10-2

(iv) 0.004M of KOH

KOH(aq) ⇌K+(aq) + OH–(aq)
[OH–] = 4 x 10-3
Example II
Calculate the pH of the following aqueous solution:
(i) 0.001 mol dm-3 HCl
(ii) 0.001 mol dm-3 H2SO4
(iii) 0.001 mol dm-3 NaOH
(iv) 0.001 mol dm-3 Ba(OH)2
(v) 0.001 mol dm-3 NaCl

Solution
(i) 0.001 mol dm-3 HCl
HCl ⇌ H+(aq) + Cl–(aq)
[H+] = 10-3
pH = -Log10 [H+]
pH = – Log1010-3
= -1 x -3log1010 = 3
Note that log1010 = 1
(ii) 0.001 mol dm-3 H2SO4

Since H2SO4 is a dibasic acid

[H+] = 2 x 10-3
pH = -log10[H+]
pH = -log10(2 x 10-3)
= 3log10 – log 2
= 3 – 0.3010
= 2.699

(iii) 0.001 mol dm-3 NaOH

NaOH ⇌ Na+ + OH–
[OH–] = 10-3
pOH = -log10[OH–]
pOH = -log1010-3
= -1 x -3log1010 = 3
For aqueous solution,
pH + pOH = PKw
7 + 7 = 14
pOH = 3
pH = 14 – 3
pH = 11

(iv) 0.001 mol dm-3 Ba(OH)2

Since Ba(OH)2 is a dibasic Base,

[OH–] = 2 x 10-3
pOH = -log10[OH–]
pOH = -log10(2 x 10-3)
=3log1010 – log102
=3 – 0.3010
pOH = 2.699
For aqueous solution
pH + pOH = PKw
7 + 7 = 14
pOH = 2.699
pH = 14 – 2.699 = 11.301
pH = 11.301

(v) 0.001 mol dm-3 NaCl

Since there is no excess H3O+, H+ or OH– in solution, the solution is neutral

Hence, [H+] = [OH–] = 10-7 mol dm-3
pH = -log10[H+] = -log1010-7 = 7
Example III
The hydrogen ion concentration [H+] in a solution is 5 x 10-3 moles dm-3. Determine the pH of the
solution.
[H+] = -5 x 10-3 moles dm-3
pH = -log10[H+]
= -log10 (5 x 10-3)
= -(log10 5 + log1010-3)
= -[log10 5 + (-3log1010]
= -[log10 5 + (-3 x 1)]
= -[log10 5 – 3]
= -log10 5 + 3
= -0.6990 + 3
pH = 2.30
Example IV
What is the [H+], [OH–], pH, and pOH of the solution corresponding to the 0.02M NaOH?
Solution
[OH–] = 0.02 mol dm-3
[H+][OH–] = 10-14

[H+] = 0.5 x 10-12 mol dm3

pH = -log10[H+]
=-log10 (0.5 x 10-12)
= -(log10 0.5 + log1010-12)
-[log10 0.5 + (-12 log1010)]
-[log10 0.5 + (-12 x 1)]
=-[log10 0.5 – 12]
=-log10 0.5 + 12
= -(-0.3010) + 12
= + 12.3010
pH = 12.3010
pH + pOH = pKw
7 + 7 = 14
pH = 12.3010
pOH = 14 – 12.3010
= 1.6990
Example V
What is the hydroxyl ion concentration [OH–] in a solution with a pH of 5.5?
Solution
pH + pOH = pKw
pH = 5.5
pOH = 14 – 5.5
pOH = 8.5
pOH = -log10[OH–]
8.5 = -log10[OH–]
-8.5 = log10[OH–]
Antilog – 8.5 = [OH–]
3 x 10-3 mol dm-3 = [OH–]

Example VI
Calculate
(i) Hydroxonium ion concentration [H3O+]
(ii) Hydroxyl ion concentration [OH–]
of a solution with pH 6.5
Solution
(i) pH = -log10 [H3O+]
6.5 = -log10 [H3O+]
–6.5 = log10[H3O+]
Antilog –6.5 = [H3O+]
3.16 x 10-7 mol dm-3 = [H3O+]
(ii) [H3O+] [OH–] = KW = 10-14
[H3O+] [OH–] = 10-14

[OH–] = 0.32 x 10-7 moldm-3

Salts

The word ‘Salt’ is usually referred to as the common table salt added to food at home. It is generally
known that table salt is a chemical known as Sodium Chloride. We also have Ándrews Liver Salt’ which
is used as an anti-acid. There are also chemical salts used for various purposes.

Definition of Salt
A salt is formed when all or part of the ionizable hydrogen ion of an acid is replaced by a metal or
ammonium ion. Salt can also be defined as a compound formed when all or part of the hydroxyl (OH–) of
a base is replaced by non-metallic ions.

Acid Corresponding Salt

(i) Hydrochloric acid (HCl) Potassium chloride KCl
(ii) Tetraoxosulphate (VI) acid (H2SO4) Sodium tetraoxosulphate (VI) Na2SO4
(iii) Trioxonitrate (V) acid (HNO3) Ammonium trioxonitrate (V) NH4NO3
(iv) Hydrobromic acid (HBr) Magnesium bromide MgBr2
Base/Alkali Corresponding Salt
(v) Sodium hydroxide NaOH Sodium Chloride NaCl
(vi) Potassium hydroxide KOH Potassium trioxonitrate (V) KNO3
Types of Salts
There are five basic types of salts.
1. Normal salts
2. Acid salts
3. Basic salts
4. Double salts
5. Complex salts
1. Normal Salts:
Normal salts are formed when all the replaceable hydrogen ions in an acid have been replaced by a
metal or Ammonium ion. Example,

In the second reaction, H2SO4 is a dibasic acid, all the hydrogen atoms have been completely replaced.
2. Acid Salts:
An acid salt is formed when the replaceable hydrogen ions [H+] in an acid are only partially replaced by
a metal. Example,

The above acid salt has all the properties of an acid. The remaining hydrogen ion (H+) can also be
replaced by a metal.

An acid salt usually results from the reaction between a base and a dibasic acid but not a monobasic
acid. The number of acid salts that can be formed from an acid depends on the basicity of that Acid.
Some Acids and their Salts:
Acid Metal ion Acid salt IUPAC name Its normal salt
H2CO3 Na+ NaHCO3 Sodium hydrogen Na2CO3
trioxocarbonate (IV)
H2SO4 K+ KHSO4 Potassium hydrogen K2SO4
tetraoxosulphate (VI)
H3PO4 Na+ NaH2PO4 Sodium dihydrogen
tetraoxophosphate (V) Na2PO3

Na2HPO4 Disodium hydrogen

tetraoxophosphate (V)

3. Basic Salt:
Basic salt contains hydroxide ion (OH–).
Basic salts are formed when there is an insufficient supply of acid which is needed for the complete
neutralization of the base. They have all the properties of base.
Basic salts are formed from metallic ions whose metals have a combining power (or oxidation number)
greater than one.
Basic hydroxide Metal ion Ox No Basic salt Name Its normal salt
Zn(OH)2 Zn2+ +2 Zn(OH)Cl Zinc hydroxyl ZnCl2
chloride
mg(OH)2 Mg2+ +2 Mg(OH)Cl Magnesium hydroxyl MgCl2
chloride
Al(OH)3 Al3+ +3 Al(OH)2NO3 Aluminium Al(NO3)3
dihydroxytrioxonitrate (V)
Basic salts react with acids to form salt and water only.
Examples:
(i) Ba(OH)Cl(aq) + HCl(aq) →→ BaCl2 + H2O(l)
(ii) Zn(OH)Br(aq) + HBr(aq) →→ ZnBr2 + H2O(l)
4. Double Salts:
These are salts which ionize to produce three different types of ions in solution. Usually, two of these
ions are positively charged while the other is negatively charged.
Double salts include alums (with the general formula M+M+++[SO4]2·12H2O) and Tutton’s salts (with the
general formula [M+]2M++[SO4]2·6H2O)
Where M+ = Na+, K+ or NH4+ (monovalent ions)
M+++ = Al3+, Fe3+ or Cr3+ (trivalent ions)
Double salts are generally referred to as alum.
Examples:
(i) Ammonium Iron (II) tetraoxosulphate (VI) hexahydrate
(NH2)2 Fe(SO4)2. 6H2O
(ii) Potassium aluminium tetraoxosulphate dodecahydrate K+Al3+(SO4)2. 12H2O. (This is common alum
used as a coagulant)
5. Complex Salts:
A complex salt contains a complex ion. Ions in which metal ions form dative bonds with anions or
neutral molecules are complex ions.
Examples:
(i) Sodium tetrahydroxozincate (II) – Na2Zn(OH)4
Na2Zn(OH)4(aq) ⇋ 2Na+(aq) + [Zn(OH)4]2-
(ii) Potassium hexacyanoferrate(II) – K4Fe(CN)6
K4Fe(CN)6, a complex salt made up of potassium ion, K+ and the complex ion, [Fe(CN)6]4-.
Potassium hexacyanoferrate(II) ionises as follows:
K4Fe(CN)6(aq) ⇋ 4Fe+ + [Fe(CN)6]4-(aq)
EVALUATIO QUESTION
(a)(i) Define the term Salt
(ii)Give two examples of Salt
(b)Write the formulae of the Acid and the base that produce each of the following Salt
(ii) Pb(CH3COO)2
(iii) ZnS (iv) (Nh4)2CO3

SOLUTION
(a)(i) Define the term Salt
Answer –
A salt is formed when all or part of the ionisable hydrogen ion of an acid is replaced by a metal or
ammonium iron.

(ii)Give two examples of Salt

Answer –
KCl (Potassium chloride)
NH4NO3 (Ammonium trioxonitrate (V))

(b)Write the formulae of the Acid and the base that produce each of the following Salt
(i) KNO3
Answer – KNO3 ⇒ HNO3

(ii) Pb(CH3COO)2
Answer – Pb(CH3COO)2 ⇒ CH3COOH
(iii) ZnS

(iv) (Nh4)2CO3
Answer – (NH4)2CO3 ⇒ H2CO3