INTRODUCTION

The strength of an acid or base depends on the degree of dissociation of the base
and acid in water. The strength of an acid is the tendency to donate a proton while strength
of base is its tendency to accept a proton. A strong acid reacts completely with water to give
quantitative formation of H3O+. a strong base reacts completely with water to give
quantitative formation OH-.

HA (aq) + H2O (l) → H3O+ (aq) + A-

B (aq) + H2O (l) → BH+ (aq) + OH- (aq)

OH- + HA → H2O + A-

Weak acids and bases react incompletely with water to give less than stoichiometric
amounts of H3O+ and OH-. Quantify the extent to which these reactions occur by looking at
the values of their equilibrium constants. A sample of weak acid (HA) is dissolved in water
and then divided into two equal – volume portions. When one portion is titrated with a
sodium hydroxide solution, all HA molecules present converted A- ions:

Ka = [H+] [A] / [HA] = [H+] = 10-pH

The number of A- ion produced is equal to the number of moles of HA in the original
half – portion, and is also equal to the number of moles of HA in the unused portion of weak
acid. The value of Ka can be determined by measuring the pH of a half – neutralized sample
of the acid.

When the acid – base titration is carried out, the end point of the titration can be
determined when the indicator changes colour. The change of pH can be measured using a
pH meter.