HKDSE CHEMISTRY / Topic 4 Acids and Bases / Chapter 15 / Page.

1
Chapter 15.
Molarity, pH scale and
Strengths of Acid and Alkalis

4(e) Concentration of solutions

- concentration of solutions in mol dm−3 (molarity)
- convert the molar concentration of solutions to g dm−3
- perform calculations related to the concentration of solution
4(b) Indicators and pH
- relate the pH scale to the acidity or alkalinity of substances
- perform calculations related to the concentration of H+(aq) and the pH value of a strong
acid solution
- pH scale as a measure of acidity and alkalinity pH = -log[H+(aq)]
- describe how to test for acidity and alkalinity using suitable indicators (litmus, methyl
orange and phenolphthalein)
- suggest and demonstrate appropriate ways to determine pH values of substances
- use of universal indicator and an appropriate instrument to measure the pH of solutions
4(c) Strength of acids and alkalis
-describe the dissociation of acids and alkalis
- relate the strength of acids and alkalis to their extent of dissociation
- describe acids and alkalis with the appropriate terms: strong and weak, concentrated and dilute
- suggest and perform experiments to compare the strength of acids or alkalis

15.1 Concentration of solutions in term of Molarity

(1) The concentration of a solution is the amount of solute per unit volume of solution.
(2) In chemistry, the concentration of a solution is normally expressed in molarity (or molar
concentration), i.e. the number of moles of solute dissolved in one cubic decimetre (dm3)
of solution.

Molarity of solution (mol dm-3 or M) = Number of moles of solute (mol)

c = n/V
Volume of solution (dm3)

Number of moles of the solute = Molarity x Volume of solution n=cxV

(3) 1 dm3 = 1 dm x 1dm x 1 dm = 10 cm x 10 cm x 10 cm = 1000 cm3 = 1000 ml = 1 L

(4) Concentration is measured in number of moles in 1 dm3 of solution, NOT in 1 dm3 of water
used to make up the solution. (This is because there is a small volume difference when a
solute dissolves in water!)
 HKDSE CHEMISTRY / Topic 4 Acids and Bases / Chapter 15 / Page.2
Example 15.1

Example 15.2
 HKDSE CHEMISTRY / Topic 4 Acids and Bases / Chapter 15 / Page.3
Example 15.3

Practice 15.1
 HKDSE CHEMISTRY / Topic 4 Acids and Bases / Chapter 15 / Page.4

Question 1 :
Calculate the concentration of each of the following solution in mol dm-3
Solutions Molar mass of the no. of moles of the Concentration
solute solute (mol dm-3)
(a) 10 g of KOH in 0.5 dm3 K + O + H = 56.1 10.0/56.1=0.180 0.180/0.500= 0.36
(b) 10 g of KOH in 1000 cm3 56.1
(c) 3 g of NaNO3 in 250 cm3 Na+N+3O=
(d) 5.3 g of Na2CO3 in 2 dm3
(e) 9.8 g of H2SO4 in 100 cm3

Question 2 : Calculate the number of moles of MgCl2 in 250.00 cm3 of 2.00 M MgCl2 solution.
(Hint : n = c x V )

(Answers : number of moles = 0.500)

Question 3 : What volume of 0. 500 M NaOH solution can be prepared from 0.800 mol NaOH?
(Hint :V = n / c )

(Answers : 1.60 dm3 (or 1600 cm3))

Question 4 : What is the molarity of the constituent ions in a 0.500 M solution of Al2(SO4)3

(Answers : Molarity of Al3+ = 1.00 M and Molarity of SO42- = 1.50 M)

Question 5 : Calculate the number of moles of K2CO3, K+ ions and CO32- ions in 25.00 cm3 of 0.200 M
K2CO3 solution.

[Answers number of moles of K+ = 0.0100 ; number of CO32- = 0.00500]

Question 6 :25.00 cm3 of 0.100 M NaOH is diluted to 250.00 cm3 (by adding distilled water).
What is the concentration of the dilute solution?
(Hint : number of moles (n) = c1V1 = c2V2)

(Answers : 0.0100 M)
 HKDSE CHEMISTRY / Topic 4 Acids and Bases / Chapter 15 / Page.5

15.2 pH and Indicators

(A) The pH scale
(1) All aqueous solutions contain hydrogen ions and
hydroxide ions.
(2) Because water dissociates slightly to give hydrogen ions
and hydroxide ions.
H2O(l) H+(aq) + OH–(aq)
(3) A solution can be acidic, alkaline or neutral. This depends on the concentration of H+ (aq)
and OH- (aq) ions.
Difference in H+ (aq) and OH- (aq) ions concentration pH value
Solutions
(at any temperature!) (at 25oC only)
Acidic H+ (aq) ions concentration > OH- (aq) ions concentration ‹7
Neutral H+ (aq) ions concentration = OH- (aq) ions concentration =7
Alkaline [H+ (aq)] < [OH- (aq)] ›7
(4) The concentration of hydrogen ions can be expressed by a number called pH value.
(5) pH is a logarithmic measure of hydrogen ion concentration (power of [H+(aq) ion]):
pH = - log [H+(aq)]
where log is a base-10 logarithm and [H+(aq)] is the concentration of hydrogen ions in
mole per dm3 of solution.

Question 7 & answers:

(a) For 0.100 M HCl(aq), concentration of H+(aq) = 0.100 M
Ans.: pH = - log [H+(aq)] = - log(0.100) = _____________
(b) For 0.0100 M HCl(aq), concentration of H+(aq) = 0.0100 M
Ans.: pH = - log [H+(aq)] = _________________________
(c) For 0.0100 M H2SO4(aq), concentration of H+(aq) = 0.0100 x 2 M = 0.0200 M
Ans.: pH = _______________________________________

Example 15.4
 HKDSE CHEMISTRY / Topic 4 Acids and Bases / Chapter 15 / Page.6
Example 15.5

Practice 15.2
 HKDSE CHEMISTRY / Topic 4 Acids and Bases / Chapter 15 / Page.7
(6) An acidic solution has a pH value less than 7 at room temperature and pressure and the
lower pH value of the solution, the more acidic the solution is.
(7) An neutral solution has a pH value exactly 7 at room temperature and pressure.
(8) An alkaline solution has a pH value greater than 7 at room temperature and pressure and
the higher pH value of the solution, the more alkaline the solution is.
(9) Therefore, the higher the H+(aq) concentration, the lower is the pH value and vice versa.
(10) The pH scale is a measures of the degree of acidity and alkalinity.
(11) In general, the pH scale ranges from 0 to 14: (at r.t.p.)

(12) In So as the concentration of hydrogen ions increases by a factor of 10, the pH value
decreases by 1.
 HKDSE CHEMISTRY / Topic 4 Acids and Bases / Chapter 15 / Page.8
(B) Common acid-base indicators in the laboratory
(1) Acid-base indicators are dyes which change colour when acids or alkalis are added.
(2) Common acid-base indicators in the laboratory:
Indicator Colour in highly acidic solution Colour in highly alkaline solution
Litmus Red Blue
Methyl orange

Phenolphthalein

(3) Below diagram shows a detailed observation about different colours of acid-base indicators in
different ranges.
 HKDSE CHEMISTRY / Topic 4 Acids and Bases / Chapter 15 / Page.9
15.4 Measurement of pH
(1) Litmus, methyl orange and phenolphthalein only indicate whether a substance is acidic or
alkaline but not its pH value.
(2) Common substances used in the laboratory to determine the pH value of a solution:
Methods Remarks
Universal indicator ⚫ It is a mixture of acid-base indicators which gives different
colours at different specific pH value.
⚫ It cannot be used to measure the pH of a coloured solution. This
is because the colour of the solution will mask the colour of the
indicator.
pH paper ⚫ It contains universal indicator and thus can also be used to
measure pH value.
⚫ It is not a good practice to dip the pH paper into the solution
under test. This is because the dyes on the pH paper may go into
the solution and contaminate it.
pH meter ** It is an electronic device to measure pH value accurately.
pH sensor connected ⚫ It is an electronic device to measure pH value accurately.
to data-logger ⚫ For a data-logger, all data read from the pH sensor can be
collected and saved.
⚫ It can be treated by a computer in a format easily compatible
with spreadsheet applications.
 HKDSE CHEMISTRY / Topic 4 Acids and Bases / Chapter 15 / Page.10

pH electrode display

Practice 15.3
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15.5 Strong Acids and Weak Acids
(1) A strong acid is an acid which completely (strongly / fully / highly / 100%) ionizes in water to
+
give hydrogen ions, H (aq).
(2) Examples of strong acids:
(i) Hydrochloric acid : HCl (aq) → H+(aq) + Cl-(aq)
(ii) Sulphuric acid : H2SO4 (aq) → 2H+(aq) + SO42-(aq)
(iii) Nitric acid : HNO3 (aq) → H+(aq) + NO3-(aq)
(3) 1.0 M H2SO4 has a lower pH value than 1.0 M HCl. It is because both acids completely ionize
in water and H2SO4 is dibasic while HCl is monobasic. Hence, 1.0 M H2SO4 has a higher
concentration of H+ (aq) ions than that of 1.0 M HCl.
(4) A weak acid is an acid which only partly (slightly / incompletely) ionizes in water to produce
+
hydrogen ions, H (aq).
(5) Examples of weak acids
(i) Ethanoic acid : CH3COOH(aq) ⇌ H+(aq) + CH3COO-(aq)
(ii) Sulphurous acid : H2SO3(aq) ⇌ 2H+(aq) + SO32-(aq)
(iii) Carbonic acid : H2CO3(aq) ⇌ 2H+(aq) + CO32-(aq)

Example 15.6
 HKDSE CHEMISTRY / Topic 4 Acids and Bases / Chapter 15 / Page.12

15.6 Methods for Comparing the strengths of acids

The table below shows the comparison between 0.10 M hydrochloric acid and 0.10 M Ethanoic
acid (same concentration)
0.10 M Hydrochloric acid 0.10 M Ethanoic acid
CH3COOH(aq) ⇌ H+(aq) + CH3COO-(aq)
HCl (aq) → H+ (aq) + Cl-(aq)

pH paper (1) Lower pH value (e.g. pH=1) (1) Higher pH value (e.g. pH = 3)
(2) The acid is completely ionized (2) The acid is partly ionized in
in water. H+ (aq) ion water. H+ (aq) ion concentration is
concentration is also 0.1 M. less than 0.1 M (0.0013 M),
(pH = - log 0.1 = 1) therefore the pH value (2.9) is
greater than 1.
Reaction with (1) Faster evolution of colourless (1) Slower evolution of colourless
magnesium gas (H2(g)). gas (H2(g)).
(2) The acid is completely ionized (2) The acid is partly ionized in
in water. Higher concentration water. Lower concentration of
of H+(aq) ions. H+(aq) ions.
(3) Less vigorous reaction.
Electrical conductivity (1) Brighter (1) Dimmer
(brightness of bulbs) (2) The acid is completely ionized (2) The acid is partly ionized in water.
in water. Higher concentration of Lower concentration of H+(aq)
H+(aq) ions. ions.
(3) As the concentration of mobile (3) As the concentration of mobile ions
ions is higher, the electrical is lower, the electrical conductivity
conductivity is higher. is lower.
 HKDSE CHEMISTRY / Topic 4 Acids and Bases / Chapter 15 / Page.13
15.7 Strong Alkalis and Weak Alkalis
(1) A strong alkali is an alkali which completely dissociates in water to give hydroxide ions.
(2) Examples of strong alkalis:
(i) Potassium hydroxide : KOH (aq) → K+ (aq) + OH- (aq)
(ii) Sodium hydroxide : NaOH (aq) → Na+ (aq) + OH- (aq)
(3) A weak alkali is an alkali which partly ionizes in water to give hydroxide ions.
(4) Examples of weak alkalis:
(i) Ammonia solution : NH3 (aq) + H2O (l) ⇌NH4+ (aq) + OH –(aq)

15.8 Comparison between a strong alkali and a weak alkali with same concentration
The table below shows the comparison between 0.10 M NaOH(aq) and 0.10 M NH3(aq) (same
concentration)

0.10 M Sodium hydroxide 0.10 M Aqueous ammonia

NaOH (aq)→ Na+ (aq) + OH- (aq) NH3(aq) + H2O(l) ⇌ NH4+(aq) + OH–(aq)

pH paper (1) Higher pH value (e.g. pH=13) (1) Lower pH value (e.g. pH = 10)
(2) The alkali completely dissociates (2) The alkali partly ionizes in water.
in water. OH-(aq) ion OH-(aq) ion concentration is less
concentration is also 0.1 M. than 0.1 M, therefore the pH value
(pH = 13) is less than 13.
Electrical conductivity (1) Brighter (1) Dimmer
(brightness of bulbs) (2) The alkali completely (2) The alkali partly ionizes in water.
dissociates in water. Higher Lower concentration of OH-(aq)
concentration of OH-(aq) ions. ions.
(3) As the concentration of mobile (3) As the concentration of mobile ions
ions is higher, the electrical is lower, the electrical conductivity
conductivity is higher. is lower.
 HKDSE CHEMISTRY / Topic 4 Acids and Bases / Chapter 15 / Page.14
15.9 Concentration versus strength
(1) There is no direct relationship between the concentration and the strength of an acid/alkali.
(2) The strength of an acid or alkali refers to the extent (degree) of ionization (or dissociation)
of the acid or alkali in water.
(3) The concentration of an acid or alkali refers to the quantity (number of mole) of the acid
or alkali per unit volume (1 dm3) of the solution.

Question 16: Fill in the blanks with the words below:

dilute, concentrated, strong, weak
(I) Acids
(i) 0.1 M HCl(aq) is a solution of acid.
(ii) 10 M HCl(aq) is a solution of acid.
(i) 0.1 M CH3COOH(aq) is a solution of acid.
(ii) 10 M CH3COOH(aq) is a solution of acid.

(II) Alkalis
(i) 10 M NH3(aq) is a alkali solution of a alkali.
(ii) 0.1 M NH3(aq) is a solution of a alkali.
(i) 0.1 M NaOH(aq) is a solution of a alkali
(ii) 10 M NaOH(aq) is a solution of a alkali.
 HKDSE CHEMISTRY / Topic 4 Acids and Bases / Chapter 15 / Page.15
Question 17 / Answer :
Give all the particles present in each of the following. Underline the name(s) of the most plentiful
particles (apart from water molecules (H2O)).
Hint: Water dissociates slightly to give hydrogen ions and hydroxide ions.
H2O(l) H+(aq) + OH–(aq)

Chemical All particles present when the acids/alkalis

Acids/alkalis
formula dissolve in water (apart from H2O molecules)

Hydrochloric acid HCl(aq) H+(aq), Cl–(aq), OH-(aq)

Strong H+(aq),
Sulphuric acid H2SO4(aq)
acids
Nitric acid HNO3(aq) H+(aq),

Weak Ethanoic acid CH3COOH(aq)

acids Carbonic acid H2CO3(aq)

Strong Sodium hydroxide NaOH(aq)

alkalis Potassium hydroxide KOH(aq)

Weak
aqueous ammonia solution NH3(aq)
alkalis

Practice 15.4
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More Challenging Questions (Chapter 15)

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