Acids and bases

Chemistry 0130
Topic 6
Image from:
http://butane.chem.uiuc.edu/pshapley/GenChem1/L24/litm
uspaper.jpg
 Acids and bases in everyday life
• The following questions are in the realm of
general knowledge
• Key fact – acids and bases are chemicals that
we commonly encounter
 Identify the acid
1. Which acid is present in the electrolyte in car
batteries? It is also the main cause of acid
rain.
A. Hydrochloric acid
B. Nitric acid
C. Sulfuric acid
D. Acetic (ethanoic) acid
E. Carbonic acid
 Vitamin C
2. Which acid is the chemical name for vitamin
C?
A. Acetic acid
B. Ascorbic acid
C. Carbonic acid
D. Citric acid
E. Oxalic acid
 Acid from lightning
3. Which acid is produced in the atmosphere
during a thunderstorm?
A. Carbonic acid
B. Ethanoic (acetic) acid
C. Hydrochloric acid
D. Nitric acid
E. Sulfuric acid
 Sour cream
4. Which is the acid produced when milk goes
sour? (It is also present in yoghurt.)
A. Citric acid
B. Ethanoic acid
C. Lactic acid
D. Methanoic (formic) acid
E. Oxalic acid
 Typical acid properties
• Substances classified as acids based on how
they react
• Typical acid properties cover:
a. Effect on indicators such as litmus
b. Taste
c. Reaction with metals
d. Reaction with bases (metal oxides/hydroxides)
e. Reaction with carbonate compounds
 Typical acid properties
5. Which of the following combinations relates
to an acid?

Response Effect on litmus Taste Effect on reactive metal

A Goes blue Sour Produces hydrogen gas
B Goes red Sour Produces hydrogen gas
C Goes blue Sour Produces oxygen gas
D Goes red Bitter Produces oxygen gas
E Goes blue Bitter Produces carbon dioxide gas
 Reactions of acids - summary
a) ACID + BASE SALT + WATER
b) ACID + METAL SALT + HYDROGEN
c) ACID + CARBONATE
SALT + WATER + CARBON DIOXIDE
• Required skill – write standard and net ionic
equations for these reactions
 Net ionic equations – practice examples

a. Potassium hydroxide solution + sulfuric acid

2KOH + H2SO4 K2SO4 + 2H2O

b. Sodium carbonate solution + perchloric acid

Na2CO3 + 2HClO4 2NaClO4 + H2O + CO2

c. Zinc metal (solid) + hydrochloric acid

Zn + 2HCl ZnCl2 + H2

d. Copper (II) oxide (solid) + nitric acid

CuO + 2HNO3 Cu(NO3)2 + H2O
 Common acidic properties
• From net ionic equations:

1. All acids produce H+(aq) in solution

2. Acid anion is often spectator ion in reaction
3. Acidic properties due to hydrogen ion
• Other common property of acids:
Acidic solution has a pH below 7
 General properties of Bases
• Bitter taste
• Change colours of indicators – litmus turns
blue
• Soapy feeling – they react with oils in our skin
to produce soap
• Neutralize acids
• pH > 7

12
 Theories of acids
• Early theory – acids are compounds of
hydrogen
• Problem – not all compounds of hydrogen are
acidic in nature

• Arrhenius theory – acids are substances that

release hydrogen ions when dissolved in
water.

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 Evidence for Arrhenius theory
• 100% ethanoic (acetic) acid
– no change in colour of dry litmus paper
– negligible reaction with magnesium metal

• Hydrogen chloride gas

– in water hydrochloric acid
– hydrogen chloride dissolved in an organic solvent
no acidic properties

14
 Why does water create acid properties?

• Acid properties – due to hydrogen ions, H+

• H+ is too small to exist on its own
• Only released from the acid molecule when able to join
up with a molecule such as water. Example:

HCl (aq) + H2O(l) H3O+(aq) + Cl–(aq)

• Ion that is formed is hydronium /hydroxonium ion

• H3O+ ion responsible for acid properties
• H3O+(aq) can be abbreviated to H+(aq)
15
 Lowry- BrØnsted theory
• Extension of the Arrhenius theory
• Not limited to aqueous systems alone.
According to the Lowry- BrØnsted theory:

An acid is a proton donor

A base is a proton acceptor

16
 Applying Lowry- BrØnsted theory
HCl (aq) + H2O(l) H3O+(aq) + Cl–(aq)
Acid Base Acid Base
• Identify acids and bases in these reactions:

1. CO32–(aq) + CH3CO2H(aq) HCO3–(aq) + CH3CO2–(aq)

Base Acid Acid Base

2. NH3(aq) + H2O(l) NH4+(aq) + OH–(aq)
Acid Base Acid Base
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 Lowry- BrØnsted and equilibria
• All of these reactions could go in the reverse
direction – therefore equilibrium reactions.
• Can therefore assign acid and base status for
both the forward and the reverse reaction

HCl (aq) + H2O(l) ⇌ H3O+(aq) + Cl–(aq)

Acid 1 Base 1 Acid 2 Base 2

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 Conjugate acids and bases
• Some acids and bases are related to each
other – they only differ only by a proton (H+)
1. HCl (Acid) and Cl– (Base)
2. H2O (Base) and H3O+ (Acid)

• These acid-base pairs are called

conjugate acid-base pairs

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 Conjugate acid-base pairs
6. In the following reaction, which combination
correctly identifies conjugate acid and base pairs?

H2PO4–(aq) + CN–(aq) ⇌ HPO42–(aq) + HCN(aq)

Acid 1 Base 2 Base 1 Acid 2

Response Acid 1 Conj. Base 1 Acid 2 Conj. Base 2
A H2PO4– CN– HPO42– HCN
B H2PO4– HCN HPO42– CN–
C H2PO4– HPO42– HCN CN–
D HPO42– H2PO4– HCN CN–
E H2PO4– HPO42– CN– HCN 20
 Acid and base strength
• Equilibrium reflects acid and base strength:
• Strong acid – readily releases proton
• Strong base – strong attraction for proton
HCl (aq) + H2O(l) ⇌ H3O+(aq) + Cl–(aq)
SA SB WA WB
• Equilibrium lies to right
– Gives designation of SA/SB/WA/WB
– Equilibrium allows comparison
21
 Strong and weak acids
• Hydrochloric acid
– Strongly ionized – strong acid
– High percentage of ionization – strong electrolyte

• Acetic (ethanoic) acid

– Only slightly ionized – weak acid
– Limited ionization – weak electrolyte

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 Weak acids and bases
CH3CO2H (aq) + H2O(l) ⇌ H3O+(aq) + CH3CO2–(aq)
WA WB SA SB

NH3(aq) + H2O(l) ⇌ NH4+(aq) + OH–(aq)

WB WA SA SB
• Notes:
– Designation of SA/SB etc depends on context
– In this case, based on equilibria favouring LHS
– Water able to act as either acid or base
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 Strong bases
• Metal hydroxides:
– Sodium hydroxide
– Potassium hydroxide
– Calcium hydroxide

• Metal compound already exists as ions so

releases 100% of available hydroxide on
dissolving:
0.100M KOH 0.100M OH–
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 Acid and Base Dissociation
• Dissociation = example of equilibrium
CH3COOH (aq) + H2O(l) ⇌ H3O+(aq) + CH3COO–(aq)
 
Equilibrium constant for this reaction:
Kc = [H3O+(aq)]eqm [CH3COO–(aq)]eqm
[CH3COOH (aq)]eqm

• Since reaction involves acid dissociation:

Kc value Ka value

25
 Ka and Kb expressions
• For a larger Ka value
– The acid dissociates more into ions
– Indicates a stronger acid
• Similar equilibrium can exist for bases
– Equilibrium constant is called a Kb value
– For ammonia:
NH3(aq) + H2O(l) ⇌ NH4+(aq) + OH–(aq)

Kb = [NH4+(aq)]eqm [OH–(aq)]eqm
[NH3(aq)]eqm
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 Equilibrium concentrations
7. For the ammonia equilibrium:
NH3(aq) + H2O(l) ⇌ NH4+(aq) + OH–(aq) Kb = 1.8x10–5
In a 0.100M solution of ammonia, which species will have
the highest concentration?
A. NH3(aq)
B. NH4+(aq)
C. OH–(aq)
D. Both NH4+(aq) and OH–(aq)
E. NH3(aq), NH4+(aq) and OH–(aq) are all the same
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 Dissociation of water
• In previous reactions, water acted as both acid and base:

H2O(l) H3O+(aq) = water as a proton acceptor (base)

H2O(l) OH–(aq) = water as a proton donor (acid)

• Whenever there is water present, possible reaction is:

H2O(l) + H2O(l) H3O+(aq) + OH–(aq)

• Reaction is an equilibrium with a Kc expression:

H2O(l) + H2O(l) ⇌ H3O+(aq) + OH–(aq)

Kc = [H3O+(aq)]eqm[OH–(aq)]eqm

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 Kw for water
• Kc expression for water is called Kw
– Sometimes called the ‘ionic product of water’
– Kw has a very small value
– Very few ions in pure water so almost zero
electrical conductivity

• Actual value for Kw:

Kw = [H3O+(aq)]eqm[OH–(aq)]eqm = 1.0 x 10–14

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 Interpreting the Kw expression
• Kw expression tells us:
• any aqueous system will always have both
hydronium and hydroxide ions present

• Neutral solution: [H3O+(aq)] = [OH–(aq)]

• An acid solution: [H3O+(aq)] > [OH–(aq)]

• A basic solution: [H3O+(aq)] < [OH–(aq)]

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 The pH scale
• Concentrations of hydronium and hydroxide ions can
vary greatly:
– from 10–14 moles/L to more than 1.0 mol/L
– using actual concentrations can be inconvenient,
especially when numbers are very small

• Alternative is to use a ‘logarithmic scale’

– change in concentration by a factor of 10 is shown by a
change of 1 unit
– Logarithmic scale used is the pH scale (for ‘power of
hydrogen’)
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 Introduction to pH calculations
pH = – log10[H3O+(aq)]
• In a neutral solution
[H3O+(aq)] = [OH–(aq)]
• Substitute this into the Kw expression:

Kw = [H3O+(aq)]eqm[H3O+(aq)]eqm = 1.0 x 10–14

So: [H3O+(aq)] = √(1.0 x 10–14) = 1.0 x 10–7 mol/L

pH for a neutral solution = – log10[1.0 x 10–7] = 7

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 Acidic and basic solutions
• For a strongly acidic solution
[H3O+(aq)] = 1.0 mol/L

pH = – log10[1.0] = 0

• For a strongly basic solution

[OH–(aq)] = 1.0 mol/L

Kw = [H3O+ (aq)]eqm[OH–(aq)]eqm = 1.0 x 10–14

Therefore: [H3O+(aq)]eqm[ 1.0 mol/L] = 1.0 x 10–14

So pH = – log10[1.0 x 10–14] = 14

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 Range of pH values
• Range of pH values usually from 0 to 14
• Concentrated solutions can give values above 14 (very
basic) or below 0 (very acidic)
• Acid solutions: 0 to 7 region

• Basic solutions: 7 to 14 range

• Remember: Change of 1 pH unit = x 10 change
pH 5 means [H3O+(aq)] = 1.0 x 10–5
pH 4 means [H3O+(aq)] = 1.0 x 10–4

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 Acidic and basic solutions
8. Which of the following solutions will be the
most basic?
A. [H3O+(aq)] = 1.0 x 10–5
B. [H3O+(aq)] = 1.0 x 10–9
C. [H3O+(aq)] = 1.0 x 10–7
D. [OH–(aq)] = 1.0 x 10–6
E. [OH–(aq)] = 1.0 x 10–7

35
 pH and pOH values
pOH = – log10[OH–(aq)]

• pH and pOH can be related to Kw:

pH + pOH = ( – log10[H3O+(aq)]) + (– log10[OH–(aq)])

= – log10[H3O+(aq)] [OH–(aq)] = – log10 Kw

Therefore, as pH is rising, pOH value is declining

pH + pOH = – log10 (1.0 x 10–14) = 14

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 pH and pOH
9. Which of the following combinations is
applies to a solution with a pH of 8.50?

Response pOH Acidic or basic

A 1.50 Basic
B 5.50 Basic
C 5.50 Acidic
D 8.50 Basic
E 8.50 Neutral
 Calculations involving pH
• Converting molarity into a pH value for strong
acids and bases

a. Find the pH of 0.025 mol/L HNO3(aq)

• Assume there is virtually 100% ionization
Therefore:
0.025 mol/L HNO3(aq) 0.025 mol/L H3O+(aq)

pH = – log10[H3O+ (aq)] = 1.60

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 Significant figures and pH calculations
• The number before the decimal point in a pH
value only relates to the exponent value of the
concentration
• The number of significant figures after the
decimal in the pH value relates to the significant
figures in the concentration
• Example:
1.60 = 2 significant figures
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 Calculations involving pH

b. Find pH of 0.00165 mol/L Ca(OH)2(aq)

Metal hydroxide = strong base (100% ionization)

0.00165 mol/L Ca(OH)2(aq) 0.00330 mol/L OH–(aq)

pOH = – log10[OH–(aq)] = 2.481

pH = 14 – pOH = 14.000 – 2.481 = 11.519

40
 Calculations involving pH
Alternative method: find [H3O+(aq)] using Kw

Kw = [H3O+(aq)] [OH–(aq)] = 1.0 x 10–14

 So: [H3O+(aq)] = 1.0 x 10–14 = 1.0 x 10–14
[OH–(aq)] 0.00330

= 3.03 x 10–12 mol/L

 pH = – log10[H3O+(aq)] = 11.519

41
 Calculations involving pH
2. Converting a pH or pOH into a concentration
– This is reverse process to the above calculations
• Example:
• What is the hydronium ion concentration in a
carbonated drink that has a pH of 3.65?
If pH = 3.65
[H3O+(aq)] = 10–3.65 = 2.239 x 10–4 mol/L
= 2.2 x 10–4 mol/L
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 pH calculation
10.What is the pH of a 0.00050M solution of
barium hydroxide, Ba(OH)2?
A. 0.001
B. 3.00
C. 3.30
D. 10.70
E. 11.00

43
 Calculations involving pH

3. Using Ka or Kb values to find pH of a solution

• With weak acids and bases only partial ionization
• Therefore in a 0.100 mol/L solution of an acid:
[H3O+(aq)] ≠ 0.100 mol/L

• To find the pH in such a case:

– Find hydronium concentration using Ka
– Convert hydronium ion concentration to pH value

44
 Calculating pH of a weak acid
• Example:
Find pH of a 0.100 mol/L solution of ethanoic
(acetic) acid (Ka = 1.79 x 10–5)
• On dissolving the acid:
CH3COOH (aq) + H2O(l) ⇌ H3O+(aq) + CH3COO–(aq)

– Ka has small value so use ‘ignore x method’

– Construct ICE chart for this problem:

45
 Calculating pH of a weak acid
[CH3COOH (aq)] [H3O+(aq)] [CH3COO–(aq)]
I 0.100 0 0
C –x +x +x
E 0.100 – x x x

Ka = [H3O+(aq)]eqm [CH3COO–(aq)]eqm

[CH3COOH (aq)]eqm

= ( x )2 ≈ ( x )2
(0.100 – x) 0.100 (ignore x method)

Therefore: ( x )2 = 0.100 Ka

46
 Calculating pH of a weak acid
x = √(0.100 Ka) = √(1.79 x 10–6)
= 1.34 x 10–3 mol/L
pH = – log10[H3O+(aq)]

= – log10[1.34 x 10–3] = 2.873

• Note: A 0.100 mol/L solution of a strong acid
would have a pH of 1.000 – almost a hundred
times the hydronium ion concentration
47
 Ka and Kb Calculations
1. Find the pH of a 0.150 mol/L solution of
hydrocyanic acid (Answer = 5.02)
(Ka for HCN = 6.2 x 10–10)

2. Find the pH of a 0.250 mol/L ammonia

solution (Answer = 11.33)
(Kb for NH4+ =1.8 x 10–5)

48
 Finding Ka
11. A 0.250M solution of an acid HX has a pH of
3.00. What is the Ka value for the acid HX?
A. 4.0 x 10–3
B. 1.0 x 10–3
C. 4.0 x 10–5
D. 4.0 x 10–6
E. 2.5 x10–7

49
 Relating Ka and Kb
• Link between Ka and Kb where a conjugate acid and base are
involved:
– For ethanoic acid and its conjugate base
Ka = [H3O+(aq)]eqm [CH3COO–(aq)]eqm
[CH3COOH (aq)]eqm

• Kb is the equilibrium expression for:

CH3COO–(aq) + H2O(l) ⇌ CH3COOH (aq) + OH–(aq)

Kb = [CH3COOH (aq)]eqm [OH–(aq)]eqm

[CH3COO–(aq)]eqm

50
 Relating Ka and Kb
Ka x K b = K w

for the conjugate acid and base pair

• If only a Ka value is given, possible to calculate
the related Kb value for the conjugate base

K b = Kw / K a

51
 Calculating Kb
• Calculation for the ethanoate ion:
Ka = 1.8 x 10–5 for ethanoic acid
K b = Kw
Ka
= 1.0 x 10–14 / 1.8 x 10–5 = 5.6 x 10–10
Kb = 5.6 x 10–10 for ethanoate ion
 Ka and Kb
12.The Ka value for an acid HA is 5.0 x 10–5.
What is the Kb value for the ion A–?
A. 2.0 x 104
–5
B. 5.0 x 10
C. 2.0 x 10–9
D. 5.0 x 10–10
E. 2.0 x 10–10

53
 Acid-Base Indicators

• Common property of acids, bases – change indicator colours

• What makes the indicator change colour?
– Indicator = example of a weak acid:

HIn(aq) + H2O(l) ⇌ H3O+(aq) + In–(aq)

• Apply Le Chatelier to equilibrium
• HIn(aq), acid form – main form present when solution is acidic
• In–(aq), base form – main form present when solution is basic

54
 Acid-Base Indicators
• Special property of indicator is that the acid
and base forms have distinguishing colours
1. For litmus indicator:
– HIn (aq), acid form = Red
– In–(aq), base form = Blue

2. For phenolphthalein indicator:

– HIn (aq), acid form = Colourless
– In–(aq), base form = Pink
55
 Acid-Base Indicators and Ka values
• Indicators are weak acids, so have Ka values
– different indicators will have different Ka values
– Ka value related to pH when colour changes

• For phenolphthalein: Ka = 3.2 x 10–10

Ka = [H+(aq)] [In–(aq)]
[HIn(aq)]
• If we have a 50:50 mix of the HIn and In– forms:
 [HIn(aq)] = [In–(aq)]
 Indicator colour is in process of changing

56
 Acid-Base Indicators and Ka values

 At this point: Ka = [H+(aq)] [In–(aq)] = [H+(aq)]

[HIn(aq)]
Colour change for indicator when [H+(aq)] = Ka
Therefore, pH for colour change = – log10Ka
= – log10 (3.2 x 10–10) = 9.49

57
 Indicator colour change
• Value of pH calculated is for 50:50 mix of the two
indicator forms – ratio of the two forms will
change as pH moves from 9.49
• For phenolphthalein:
– As pH drops below 9.49, more colourless indicator
molecules
– As pH rises above 9.49, more pink indicator molecules
– Visible change about 1 pH unit either side of 9.49
– (Data booklets give range of pH 8.2 – 10.0)
 Acid-Base Indicators and Ka values
• Different indicators – different Ka values
• pKa values
 pKa = – log10Ka
 pKa gives pH region where indicator changes
• Examples:
1. Methyl orange
Ka = 3.5 x 10–4 pKa = 3.46
2. Bromothymol blue
Ka = 5.0 x 10–8 pKa = 7.30

59
 Using acid-base indicators in titrations
• Definitions
1. Titration – experimental technique where reacting
volumes of acid and base solutions are precisely
measured
2. Equivalence point of a titration – when
stoichiometric reacting quantities of the acid and
base solutions are present
3. End point of a titration – when the indicator
changes colour to show the reaction is complete
60
 Equivalence and endpoints
• For an accurate titration, these two should
coincide
– Requires pH change at equivalence match pH
range when indicator changes colour
• Example:
– pH change from 3.0 to 7.0 at equivalence
1. Phenolphthalein, pKa = 9.49 (unsuitable)
2. Methyl orange, pKa = 3.46 (suitable)

61
 pH changes during titration
Image from: http://image.tutorvista.com/content/ionic-equilibrium/titration-curve-strong-acid-base.gif

• Changes in pH follow S-shape curve, not straight line

• Curves are for 25.00mL of 0.100M acid or base at the start
 pH changes during titration (2)
• Rapid change in pH at equivalence point
• Consider concentrations at certain pH values
– In pH 4-10 range, small concentration changes

pH [H+(aq)] mol/L [OH–(aq)] mol/L

1.00 0.10 1.0 x 10–13
4.00 1.0 x 10–4 1.0 x 10–10
7.00 1.0 x 10–7 1.0 x 10–7
10.00 1.0 x 10–10 1.0 x 10–4
13.00 1.0 x 10–13 0.10
 pH changes during titration (3)
• Values show that only small amount of acid or
base needed to produce large pH change
around equivalence point
• Rapid change in pH – can lead to rapid change
in colour of indicator present
• SA/SB reaction shows rapid pH change
between pH 4 and pH 10 – suitable indicator
has to change colour in this range
 Different pH-titration curves
• Titration curve can vary depending on
whether acid and base are strong or weak
• Previous slide for SA/SB reaction
• Other reactions are:
a. SA/WB
b. WA/SB
c. WA/WB
 WB/SA titration curve
Image from: http://image.tutorvista.com/content/ionic-equilibrium/titration-curve-weak-base-strong-acid.gif

• Differences
a. pH starts lower (lower
hydroxide ion concentration)
b. Rapid pH change from 7 – 4
• Similarities
a. Same volume of acid needed
for reaction
b. Second half of curve is the
same (still strong acid being
used)
 WA/SB titration
Image from: http://image.tutorvista.com/content/ionic-equilibrium/titration-curve-weak-acid-strong-base.gif

• Compare with SA/SB titration

curve
a. pH starts higher (lower
hydrogen ion concentration)
b. Rapid change in pH from 7 –
10 only
c. Same titration volume at
equivalence point
d. Second half of curve is the
same (still using strong
base)
 WA/WB titration
Image from: http://image.tutorvista.com/content/ionic-equilibrium/titration-curve-weak-base-acid.gif

• Compare with
previous graphs
a. Overall pH range is
less (because weak
acids and bases)
b. No rapid pH change
at equivalence
point
 Rapid pH change at equivalence point

Summary
• Rapid changes that occur:
a. SA/SB, pH 4 pH10 range

b. SA/WB, pH 4 pH 7 range
c. WA/SB, pH 7 pH 10 range
d. WA/WB – no region of rapid pH change

69
 Equivalence point on pH graph
• The equivalence point occurs at midpoint of
the region of rapid pH change – so we can
assign a pH value for it
a. Strong acid – strong base pH 7 = neutral

b. Strong acid – weak base ≈ pH 5.5 = acidic

c. Weak acid – strong base ≈ pH 8.5 = basic

d. Weak acid – weak base ≈ pH 7 ≈ neutral

70
 Acidic and Basic salts
• Why equivalence point not always at pH 7?
• Look at the behaviour of the salt produced in the
neutralization reaction
1. SA/WB example
– Product at equivalence = ammonium chloride
– pH of solution = weakly acidic
2. WA/SB example
– Product at equivalence = sodium ethanoate
– pH of solution = weakly basic

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pH of ammonium chloride solution
1. Strong acid/weak base
NH3(aq) + HCl(aq) NH4Cl(aq)
Consider ions in ammonium chloride:
• Cl– has no basic properties – no effect on pH
• NH4+ ion acts as a weak acid
NH4+(aq) + H2O(l) ⇌ NH3(aq) + H3O+(aq)

Ka = 5.6 x 10–10
• H3O+(aq) produced makes solution acidic
• Ammonium chloride = example of an acid salt
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 pH of sodium ethanoate
2. Weak acid/strong base
CH3COOH(aq) + NaOH(aq) CH3COONa(aq) + H2O(l)
• Na+ ion – no acidic properties
• CH3COO– ion – can act as weak base
CH3COO–(aq) + H2O(l) ⇌ CH3COOH(aq) + OH–(aq)

Kb = 5.5 x 10 – 10
• Hydroxide ions formed makes a basic solution
• Sodium ethanoate = example of a basic salt

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 Salt hydrolysis examples
• Reactions of salts with water = salt hydrolysis

• Explain why (using Ka and/or Kb values):

1. Sodium cyanide (NaCN) solution is basic

2. Potassium hydrogen sulfate solution (KHSO4) is
acidic
3. Sodium hydrogen carbonate (NaHCO3) could in
theory be either acidic or basic but is actually
slightly basic
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 Amphiprotic ions
• HCO3– = example of amphiprotic ion
• Amphiprotic = can accept or donate protons
HCO3– (aq) + H+(aq) H2CO3(aq)
then H2CO3(aq) H2O(l) + CO2(g)
HCO3– (aq) + H2O(l) CO32– (aq) + H3O+(aq)

• Behaviour of HCO –
3 ion will depend on its
environment
 Amphiprotic species
14.Which of the following would be
amphiprotic?
A. HNO3
B. CO32–
C. Ca(OH)2
D. H2PO4–
E. PO43–
 Buffer solutions
• Solutions that resist changes in pH
• Common in biological systems – change in pH
can deactivate/kill organism
• Composition of buffer solution:
1. Solution of weak acid and conjugate base
OR
2. Solution of weak base and conjugate acid

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 Example of buffer solution (1)
• Ethanoic acid/sodium ethanoate:
a) Ethanoic acid – large amount of
undissociated acid molecules
b) Sodium ethanoate – large amount of
ethanoate ions
• Equilibrium that exists in solution:
CH3COOH (aq) + H2O(l) ⇌ H3O+(aq) + CH3COO–(aq)

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 Ethanoic acid/ethanoate buffer

CH3COOH (aq) + H2O(l) ⇌ H3O+(aq) + CH3COO–(aq)

• Using Le Chatelier, consider effects of adding:
a. OH–(aq)
b. H3O+(aq)
• Buffer absorbs added acid/base – buffer keeps
reagents ‘in reserve’ until needed
 Example of buffer solution (2)
• Ammonia/ammonium chloride mixture
a) Ammonia solution – contains mostly
ammonia molecules (very little ionization)
b) Ammonium chloride – provides large high
concentration of ammonium ions
• Equilibrium that exists in solution
NH3(aq) + H2O(l) ⇌ NH4+(aq) + OH–(aq)

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 Ammonia/ammonium ion buffer

NH3(aq) + H2O(l) ⇌ NH4+(aq) + OH–(aq)

• Using Le Chatelier, consider effects of adding:
a. H3O+(aq) – absorbed using ammonia
b. OH–(aq) – absorbed using ammonium ions
• Buffer absorbs added acid/base
 Buffer solutions
15.Which of the following combinations would be an effective
buffer solution?
I. HCl(aq) and Cl–(aq)
II. HCN(aq) and CN–(aq)
III. HCO3–(aq) and CO32–(aq)
A. All 3
B. I and II only
C. II only
D. II and III only
E. I only

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 Buffering action
16.Why will a solution of 0.50M ammonium chloride alone
not be able to act as a buffer solution?
A. The solution is too dilute
B. The solution has too low a pH
C. The solution is not able to absorb added hydroxide ions
D. The solution is not able to absorb added hydrogen ions
E. The ammonium chloride undergoes decomposition
over time
 Buffer solution calculations
• Not required for Chemistry 0130
• pH of buffer solution depends on acid and
conjugate base used:
a. Ethanoic acid/sodium ethanoate: pH 4-5
b. Ammonia/ammonium chloride: pH 9-10
• Typical buffer action – for pH 9 solution:
i. Unbuffered solution + acid pH 2
ii. Buffered solution – change < 0.1pH unit
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