Ionization of acid, dissociation of

water, pH
 Ionization of an Acid in Water (Dissociation)

HA(aq) + H2O(l)  H3O+(aq) + A–(aq)

or simply

HA(aq)  H+(aq) + A–(aq)

• The first equation shows H2O, which pulls the

H+ from the acid.
 Ionization of a Strong Acid in Water
(Dissociation)
HA(aq) + H2O(l)  H3O+(aq) + A–(aq)
or
simply HA(aq)  H+(aq) + A–(aq)

• A strong acid almost fully dissociates.

• Note: the yield sign may be drawn to the right

only to show the almost complete ionization of
strong acids.
Strong vs Weak Acids
 Common Strong Acids
• H2SO4 (note:HSO4-1 is weak)
• HNO3
• HClO4

• HCl, HBr, HI (note: HF is weak)

• In general organic acids are weak.

• Rule of thumb for oxyacids: #O’s- #H’s >=2 the
acid is strong. (ex: H PO is weak)
 Acid Dissociation Constant for a Weak
Monoprotic Acid
HA(aq) + H2O(l) H3O+(aq) + A–(aq)

Ka = [H3O+] [A–] or Ka = [H+] [A–]

[HA] [HA]

• For a weak acid Ka is small.

• For strong acids Ka cannot be calculated accurately.
 Ionization of a Base (Dissociation)

B(aq) + H2O(l)  BH+(aq) + OH–(aq)

or

BOH  B+(aq) + OH–(aq)

 Ionization of a Strong Base in Water
(Dissociation)
NaOH(s)  Na+(aq) + OH–(aq)

• A strong base almost fully dissociates.

• The equilibrium shifts to the right.

• Note: the yield may be drawn to point only to

the right to show the almost complete
ionization of strong bases.
 Common Strong Bases
• Hydroxides of Group I and Larger Metals of
Group II.

• Mg(OH)2 and Ca(OH)2 are slightly soluble but

what small amount dissolves, almost
completely ionizes.
 Ionization of a Weak Base in Water
(Dissociation)
B(aq) + H2O(l)  BH+(aq) + OH–(aq)
or
BOH(aq) B+(aq) + OH–(aq)

Kb = [BH +] [OH–] = [B+] [OH–]

[B] [BOH]
• For a weak base Kb is small.
• For strong bases Kb cannot be calculated
 Ex: Base Dissociation Constant for a Weak
Bases
NH 3(aq) + H2O(l) NH 4 +(aq) + OH–(aq)

Kb = [NH 4 +] [OH–]
[NH 3]
 Self-Ionization
• Water molecules in pure water interact with one
another to form ions
H2O + H2O H3O+ + OH–

• Net effect is the formation of equal amounts of

hydronium and hydroxide ions.

13
 Ion Product Constant for Water
• At 24°C:
Kw = [H3O+][OH–] = 1.00 × 10–14
• No matter what the solution contains, the product of
[H3O+] and [OH–] must always equal 1.00 × 10–14.

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 Three Possible Situations
• [H3O+] = [OH–]; neutral solution
• [H3O+] > [OH–]; acidic solution
• [H3O+] < [OH–]; basic solution

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 pH stands for “potential hydrogen” and is
a measure of how many H+ ions there are
in solution

The pH scale is a way of expressing the

strength of acids and bases. Instead of
using very small numbers, we just use the
NEGATIVE power of 10 on the Molarity of
the H+ (or OH-) ion.

Under 7 = acid
7 = neutral
Over 7 = base
 Possible questions

• Dissociation of weak acids

• pH
• Dissociation constant of water