-1-

ACIDS, BASES AND THEIR NEUTRALIZATION

tufqpfrsm;?aA(pf)hrsm; ESifh ,if;wdkU\"mwfjy,fjcif;
Dr. Hlaing Hlaing Oo

þoifcef;pmwGif tufqpfESifhaAhwdkU\t"dyÜg,fudk
aumif;pGmem;vnfoabm ayguf&efvdktyfygonf/ odkUrSom
¤if;wdkUESifhqufpyfaeaom pH, pOH, Ka, pKa, buffer solution and salt
hydrolysis wdkUudk vG,fulpGmem;vnfEdkifrnfjzpfygonf/
j'yfaygif;wGif [dkufj'dK*sifygvsiftufqpf[k wxpfcsr,lqoifhyg/
j'yfaygif;rSmyg0ifwJh [dkufj'dK*siftm;vHk;jzpfap
wcsdKUw0ufudkjzpfap owÅKwckck ESifh zvS,f xkwfEdkifjyD;
qm; ESifh [dkufj'dK*sifudk&½SdrSomvsiftJ'Dj'yfaygif;[m
tufqpfjzpfygw,f/tufqpfESifh"mwfûyEdkifaom j'yfaygif;tm;vHk;udk
aAh(pf) [krSm;,Gif;pGm rSwfxm;wwf Muygw,f/ j'yfaygif; eSifh
tufqpf "mwfûyaomtcg oufqdkif&mqm;ESifa&udk&½SdrSom
tJ'Dj'yfaygif;[m aAh(pf)h jzpfygw,f/
e.g., NaCl(s) + H2SO4(l) NaHSO4 (s) + HCl (g)
sodium chloride sulphuric acid sodium hydrocholirc
hydrogen sulphate acid
HCl udk&½SdwmaMumifh NaCl onfaAh(pf) r[kwfyg/
2NaOH(aq) + H2SO4(aq) Na2SO4(aq) + 2H2O(l)
sodium chloride sulphuric acid sodium sulphate water
H2O udk&½SdwmaMumifh NaOH onfaAh(pf) jzpfygonf/
Definition rsm;udktvGwfusufrSwfxm;&efvdktyfygonf/
ar;cGef;eHygwf (5) wGifar;ygu Definition udkoma&;&efjzpfjyD;
ar;cGef;eHygwf (8) wGif Example awmif;jcif;? Explain
(½Sif;cdkif;jcif;) wkdUar;rSom ½Sif;vif;csufrsm;udkajzqdk&ygrnf/
I. Definition of Acid and Base
Lovoisier (1777)
All acid contain oxygen. e.g., H2SO3, H2SO4, H3PO3, H3PO4
Davy (1816)
All acid contain hydrogen. e.g., HCN, H2S, HCl
Arrhenius Theory (1887)
 -2-

Arrhenius defined an acid is a compound which could produce hydrogen ions in

water solution.
e.g., HCl(aq) H+(aq) + Cl-(aq)
An alkali is a compound which could produce hydroxide ions in water solution.
e.g., NaOH(aq) Na+(aq) + OH-(aq)
rSwf&ef-,if;oDtdk&Donf a&wGifazsmfxm;aom
aysmf&nfrsm;twGufom uefYowfxm;onf/

Bronsted and Lowry (1922)

proton
acid base proton = H+ ion
transfer
An acid is a proton donor. A base is a proton acceptor.
e.g., HCl (aq) + H2O (l) H3O+ (aq) + Cl- (aq)
Acid 1 Base 2 Acid 2 Base1
(conjugate acid) (conjugate base)
Lewis (1939)

transfer of a lone pair

base acid
of electrons

Bases as species which can donate an electron pair. (donor of lone pair of electrons.)
Acids as species which can accept an electron pair. (acceptor of lone pair of electrons.)
e.g., : NH3 (g) + BF3 (s) H3N: BF3
Base Acid Salt
Question: Define “Lewis acid and base”.
II. Acidity, Alkalinity and Neutralization
'Dtydkif;rSmawmha&aysmf&nfeJUa&awGrSmjzpfay:aewwfwJh
tufqpf*kPfowÅd½Sdjcif; (Acidity)? aAh(pf)*kPfowÅd½Sdjcif;
(alkanity) ESifh"mwfjy,ftajctae (Neutralization) wdkUtaMumif;
jzpfygw,f? ouf½SdowÅ0grsm;tm;vHk;[m tufqpfrsm;aoma&?
aAh(pf)rsm;aoma&wdkUudk aomufoHk;ír&yg? a&oefU
wenf;tm;jzifh (Neutral water) udkom aomufoHk;vdkU &wmaMumifh
tufqpf?aAh(pf) ESifh "gwfjy,fjcif;awGudk yrmP ta&twGuft&
owfrSwf cGJjcm;jcif;rsm;udk em;vnf&efvdktyfygonf/
Strong acid {loses a proton, H+, readily}

Weak acid {loses a proton, H+, with difficulty}

Acids {large proportion of acid
Concentrated acid +
less water (solvent}
 -3-

{large proportion of acid

Dilute acid +
less water (solvent}
Strong Acid
An acid which is capable of losing a proton readily and is highly ionized in
specific conditions is called a strong acid.
e.g., HCl, HNO3, H2SO4, ---- (Mineral acids)
HCl (aq) H+(aq) + Cl-(aq)
yg0ifjcif;r½Sdoaomacid) rsm;onf
Note: Inorganic acid (carbon strong acid
rsm;jzpfonfudk od½Sd&efvdkygonf/
Weak Acid
A weak acid is one which loses a proton, H+ with difficulty and is only slightly
ionized.
e.g., HCOOH, CH3COOH (Organic acid)
HCOOH (aq) HCOO-(aq) + H+(aq)
Note: Organic acid (carbon yg0ifaomacid) rsm;onf weak acid rsm;jzpfonfudk
od½Sd&ef vdkygonf/
Question: (i) Explain the term strong acid and weak acid?
(ii) Give an example each represents strong acid and weak acid. Give reason for
each of the example you have provided.
rSwf&ef- rsm;onf completely ionized jzpfjyD; weak acid rsm;onf
Strong acid
partially ionized jzpfaMumif;udkaocsmpGmrSwfom;xm;&ygrnf/ Strong
acid ESifh weak acid wkdUonf tufqpfobm0 ESifhomqkdifjyD; yrmP
ESifhrqdkifyg? yrmP ESifhqdkifwmuawmh b,ftufqpfrqdk
aysmf&nfxJrSm &mcdkifEIef;rsm;vsif (odkU)
yrmPrsm;rsm;½Sdaevsif concentrted [kowfrSwfjyD; yrmPenf;vsif
dilute [kowfrSwfygonf/
Concentrated acid
A concentrated acid is one which contains the pure acid or a predominantly large
proportional of the acid.
Dilute acid
A dilute acid is one which contains a relatively small amount of the acid in the
form of a solution in water or some other solvent.
Question: What is meant “concentrated acid”? Give an example.
aAh(pf)rsm;twGufvnf; strong, weak ESifh concentrate, dilute
qdkaomowfrSwfcsufrsm; onf tufqpfrSmuJhodkU owfrSwfygonf/
 -4-

Strong Base
A strong base is completely ionized in aqueous solution
e.g., NaOH, KOH, ----
NaOH (aq) Na+(aq) + OH-(aq)
Weak Base
A weak base is only partially ionized in aqueous solution.
e.g., NH4OH (aq) NH4+ (aq) + OH-(aq)
Neutralization
Neutralization is combination of H+ ions from an acid with OH- ions from a base to
form water.
e.g., H+ (aq)+ OH- (aq) H2O(l)
A strong acid has a weak conjugate base and a strong acid has a weak conjugate acid.

Conjugate Base
In an acid base equilibrium, the original acid is related to the base in the reverse
reaction, which is called the conjugate base.
Conjugate Acid
In an acid base equilibrium, the original base is related to the acid in the reverse
reaction, which is called the conjugate acid.
e.g., HNO3 (l) + H2O(l) H3O+ (aq) + NO3-(aq)
acid 1 base 2 acid 2 base1

Question: What is meant by “conjugated acid” and “conjugated base”.

Acid Conjugate base Base Conjugate acid
(1) HCl Cl- (1) NH3 NH4+
(2) HNO3 NO3- (2) HSO4- H2SO4
(3) HCN CN- (3) SO42- HSO4-
(4) CH3COOH CH3COO- (4) H2O H3O+
(5) H2SO4 HSO4-
(6) HSO4- SO42-
(7) H2O OH-

III. Ionic dissociation of Water (a&\tdkif,GefjydKuGJjcif;)

vlwdkUaomufoHk;a&wGif H ESifh
+
OH ion -

rsm;tjzpfjydKuGJaewwfygonf/ tylcsdef 25 ºC wGif

vQyfvkdufenf;t&wdkif;Munfhvsif a&xJwGif H ion \yg0ifudef;? +

wenf; Molarity yrmP [H ] = [OH ] =1.0 x 10 M ½Sdygonf/ xdkenf;wlpGm

+ - -7

[OH ] =1.0 x 10 M jzpfygonf/ xdkUaMumifha&&JU ion ajrSmufv'fudk

- -7

atmufygtwdkif;awGUEdkifygonf/
 -5-

Ionic product of water (Kw)

e.g., H2O (l) H+ (aq) + OH-(aq)
[H ] [OH ]
+ -

Kw =
[H2O]
Kw = [H ] [OH-]
+

At 298K (25 ºC), [H+] = [OH-] = 1x10-7 M (or) mol dm-3 (or) mmol cm-3
Kw = [H+][OH-] = 1x10-7M x 1 x 10-7 [M (or) mol dm-3 (or) mmol cm-3]2
Kw = 1x10-14 M2 (or) mol2 dm-6 (or) mmol2cm-6
Question: What is meant by the quantity of Kw? Give the numerical value.
Kw is known as the ionic product of water and its numerical value is 1x10 -14M2 (or)
mol2 dm-6 at 298K.
Exponent of ionic product of water, pKw = - log Kw
pKw = - log 1 + log 10-14
pKw = 14

Amphiprotic molecule
A molecule such as the water molecule, which can have both proton-accepting
(protophilic) and proton-donating (protogenic) properties, is called an amphiprotic
molecule.
e.g., H2O (l) H+ (aq) + OH-(aq)
2H2O (l) H3O+ (aq) + OH-(aq)
Question: What do you understand “Amphiprotic molecule”?
IV. The Hydrogen ion exponent (pH)
a&aumif;a&oefU (neutral water) onf acid r[kwfaomaMumifh H+ ion ESifh
OH- ion yrmPonftjrJwef;wlnDjyD; wefzdk;onf 1 x 10-7M jzpfygonf/
xdkodkU½Sdr½Sdudk pH scale ESifh wdkif;wm&ygonf/ pH
qdkonfrSm H+ ion udk yrmPaz:jyaomenf;wenf;jzpfygonf/
Question: Define the “pH of solution”.
pH is defined as the negative logarithm to base 10 of the molar concentration of
hydrogen ions.
pH = - log [H+] = - log [H3O+ (aq)]; [H+] = 10-pH = antilog (-pH)
'D definition rSm negative logarithm to base 10, molar concentration, hydrogen ion
wdkU[m
ta&;BuD;ygw,f/wpfckckomrygcJh&ifawmtrSwfr&awmhygbl;/ocsF
mazmfjycsufudkygxnfhay; &ygr,f/
Example 1 What is the pH of a solution with [H+] = 0.02 mol dm 3
?
Ans: [H+] = 0.02
pH = - log [H+ ] = - log (0.02)
= log (2 x 10 ) = 2 - log 2
-2

pH = 2 – 0.3010 = 1.6990
 -6-

Example 2 What is the hydrogen ion concentration of a solution with pH 4.30?

Ans: - log [H+ ] = pH
log[H+] = - 4.30
= - 4 - 0.30 = - 4 - 1 + 1 - 0.30 = .70
[H ]
+
= antilog .70 = 5 x 10 5
mol dm 3
The hydroxide ion exponent (pOH)
pOH is defined as the negative logarithm to base 10 of the molar concentration of
hydroxide ions. (in molarity)
pOH = -log [OH-]; [OH-] = 10-pOH = antilog (-pOH)
Relationship between pH and pOH
Kw = [H+] [OH-] = 1 x 10-14 mol2 dm-6
log Kw = log [H+] [OH-] = - log 10-14
log Kw = log [H+] + log [OH-] =- log 10-14
- log Kw = - log [H+] - log [OH-] = - log 1 x 10-14
Since - log Kw = pKw, - log [H+] = pH, - log [OH-] = pOH
pKw = pH + pOH = - log 10-14
pKw = pH + pOH = 14
Question: Show that pH + pOH = 14 for aqueous solution at 25 ºC.
Example 3: Calculate the pH value of two aqueous solutions containing 5.5 g of HCl per
dm3 and 6.0 g of NaOH per dm3 respectively. (H = 1, Cl = 35.5, Na = 23, O =16)
Ans: Molar mass of HCl = 1 + 35.5 = 36.5 gmol-1

Moles of HCl = = 0.1507 mol

Molarity of HCl = = 0.1507 M

HCl(aq) H+(aq) + Cl-(aq)

0.1507 M 0.1507 M 0.1507 M
[H ] = 0.1507 M
+

pH = -log[H+] = - log 0.1507 = - log (1.507 x 10-1)

pH = 1 – log 1.507 = 1 – 0.1781 = 0.8219 pH of HCl
Molar mass of NaOH = 23+16+1 = 40 gmol-1

Moles of NaOH = = 0.15 mol

Molarity of NaOH = = 0.15 M

NaOH (aq) Na+(aq) + OH-(aq)

0.15 M 0.15 M 0.15 M
[OH-] = 0.15 M
pOH = -log [OH-] = - log 0.15 = - log (1.5 x 10-1)
pOH = 1 - log 1.5 = 1 – 0.1761 = 0.8239
pH + pOH = 14
pH = 14 – 0.8239
 -7-

pH = 13.1761 pH of NaOH
pH range or pH scale
Usual pH range is 0 to 14.

less than 7 7 greater than 7

0 14
acid bases (alkali)
pure water
[H+] > [OH] [H+] < [OH]
Neutral solution
[H+] = [OH]

Basicity of an acid (tufqpfwpfck\aAhudef;)

The basicity of an acid may be defined as the number of H+ ions that one molecule
of an acid can produce.
e.g., HCl (aq) H+ (aq) + Cl-(aq) Basicity of HCl = 1
H2SO4 (aq) 2H (aq)+ SO4 (aq) Basicity of H2SO4 = 2
+ 2-

H3PO4 (aq) 3H+(aq)+ PO43-(aq) Basicity of H3PO4 = 3

Acidity of a base (aAhwpfck\tufqpfudef;)

The acidity of a base may be defined as being equivalent to the number of
molecules of a monobasic acid like HCl which will neutralize one mole of the base.
e.g., NaOH (aq) + HCl (aq) NaCl (aq) + H2O (l) Acidity of NaOH = 1
Ca(OH)2 (aq) + 2HCl (aq) CaCl2(aq) + 2H2O(l) Acidity of Ca(OH)2 = 2
Al(OH)3 (aq) + 3HCl (aq) AlCl3(aq) + 3H2O(l) Acidity of Al(OH)3 = 3
Neutral aqueous solution
A neutral aqueous solution is one in which the concentrations of hydrogen ion H+
and hydroxide ion OH- are equal at the value of 1x10-7 moldm-3 at 298 K.
Water neutrality
The pH of pure water is 7. i.e., a neutral aqueous solution at 298 K has a pH of 7.
Hydrolysis: Hydrolysis means cleavage of substance by water (or) aspect of acid base
equilibrium.
V. Strength of Acids (tufqpfjyif;tm;EdIif;,SOfjcif;)
Method for comparing strength of acids
In aqueous solution of acid HA, the equilibrium is written as:
HA(aq) + H2O(l) H3O+ (aq) + A-(aq)
[H3O+][A-]
Ka = [ Ka = dissociation constant of acid]
[HA]
rSwf&ef - Ka wefbdk;MuD;vQif acid onf strong acid jzpfjyD; Ka
wefbdk;i,fvQif acid onf weak acid jzpfonf/
Similarly, Kb = dissociation constant of base
pKa = - log Ka pKb = -log Kb
[H ] is large, Ka value is large and pKa value is small; it is strong acid (or)
+
 -8-

The larger the ka value the higher the strength of acid. (or)
The smaller the pKa value, the higher the strength of acid.
[H+] is small, Ka value is small and pKa value is large; it is weak acid (or)
Similar terms for base Kb and pKb. If Ka > Kb the solution will be acidic.
If Ka<Kb the solution will be alkaline.
VI. Salt hydrolysis (qm;rsm;a&oGif;jzdKcGJjcif;)
Salts are strong electrolytes and can be considered completely dissociated in
aqueous solution.
e.g., CH3COONa (s) + H2O (l) NaOH (aq) + CH3COOH (l)
Strong acid Strong base
HCl, HNO3, H2SO4 NaOH, KOH
Weak acid Weak base
HCOOH, CH3COOH NH4OH

4 types of salts

Salts derived from Salts derived from Salts derived from Salts derived from
strong acid and strong acid and weak acid and weak acid and
strong base weak base strong base weak base
e.g., NaCl, KNO3 e.g., NH4Cl, e.g., HCOONa, e.g., HCOONH4,
NH4NO3 CH3COONa CH3COONH4

hydrolysis (or) dissolved in water

salt solution salt solution having salt solution salt solution having
having pH of 7 pH less than 7 having pH greater pH of 7 (or) pH < 7
than 7 (or ) pH > 7
1. Salt of strong acid and strong base (S/S)
e.g., NaCl
NaCl is a salt of strong acid (HCl) and strong base (NaOH).
In NaCl solution, it dissociates completely into Na+ and Cl- ions.
NaCl(aq) Na+ (aq) + Cl- (aq) (completely ionized)
H2O(l) H+ (aq) + OH- (aq) (slightly ionized)
The Na+ ions react with water to form strong base (NaOH) and strong acid (HCl). They
dissociate completely in water and the ionic equilibrium of water remains undisturbed. The
pH of water will not change. Therefore, NaCl solution is a neutral solution whose pH is 7.
Question: What are the properties of the solutions obtained by dissolving sodium chloride
in water?
2. Salt of weak acid and strong base (W/S)
e.g., CH3COONa (Sodium ethanoate)
 -9-

CH3COONa is a salt of weak acid (CH 3COOH) and strong base (NaOH). In
CH3COONa solution, it dissociate completely inCH3COO- and Na+ ions.
CH3COONa (aq) CH3COO- (aq) + Na+ (aq)
H2O (l) H+ (aq) + OH- (aq)
CH3COO ion reacts with water to form ethanoic acid and OH ion.
- -

CH3COO- (aq) + H2O (l) CH3COOH(aq) + OH- (aq)

The strong base, NaOH dissociates completely into Na + (aq) and Cl- (aq). Being a weak
acid, CH3COOH can exist as undissociated molecules in solution. The H + ions from water
are used up by CH3COO- ions to form undissociated CH3COOH. This disturbs the
equilibrium of water ([H+] [OH-] = Kw= 1x10-14 at 298 K). More water ionizes to maintain
Kw constant. This produces more OH- which causes the solution to be alkaline.
The solution of CH3COONa becomes alkaline. i.e., pH >7 (basic properties)
Question: Sodium ethanoate was dissolved in water and the solution has basic properties.
Explain this result clearly.
3. Salt of strong acid and weak base (S/W)
e.g., NH4Cl (Ammonium chloride)
NH4Cl is a salt of strong acid (HCl) and weak base (NH 4OH). In NH4Cl solution, it
dissociates completely into NH4+ and Cl- ions.
NH4Cl(aq) Na+ (aq) + Cl- (aq)
H2O (l) H+ (aq) + OH- (aq)
The NH4 and Cl ions react with water to form weak base (NH 4OH) and strong acid (HCl).
+ -

HCl is strong acid and it does not exist in aqueous solution. The OH - ions from water are
used up by NH4+ ions to form undissociated NH4OH.
NH (aq) + OH (aq) NH4OH(aq)
This disturbs the equilibrium of water ([H+] [OH-] = Kw= 1x10-14 at 298 K). More
water ionizes to maintain Kw constant. This produces more H+ which causes the solution to
be acidic. The NH4Cl solution becomes acidic whose pH less than 7.

Question: Some ammonium chloride was dissolved in water and by the solution had a pH
of 5. Explain the results. (Kw = [H+] [OH-] = 1 x 10-14)
4. Salt of weak acid and weak base (W/W)
e.g., CH3COONH4 (Ammonium ethanoate)
CH3COONH4 is a salt of weak acid (CH 3COOH) and weak base (NH4OH). In
CH3COONH4 solution, it dissociates completely into CH3COO- and NH4+ ions.
CH3COONH4 (aq) CH3COO- (aq) + NH4+ (aq)
H2O (l) H+ (aq) + OH- (aq)
NH4+ (aq) + H2O (l) NH4OH(aq) + H+ (aq)
CH3COO- and NH4+ ions react with water to form weak acid (CH 3COOH) and weak base
(NH4OH). They exist as undissociated molecule in aqueous solution. This disturbs the ionic
equilibrium of water ([H+] [OH-] = Kw= 1x10-14 at 298 K). In this particular case, both acid
and bases are equally weak (Ka ≈ Kb ≈ 2 x 10-5) . Therefore H+ and OH- ions are maintained
at about equal concentration in the solution. Ammonium ethanoate is strongly hydrolysed
 - 10 -

in solution, but the solution remains neutral. Therefore pH of CH 3COONH4 solution is 7

(neutral properties).
Question: What are the properties of the solution obtained by dissolving ammonium
ethanoate in water?
VII. Buffer Solution (Mum;cHajzaysmf&nf)
Buffer solution is defined as a solution that resists changes in pH as a result of (1)
dilution (2) small addition of acids or bases.
Acidic buffer (pH 4-7)
A buffer solution of pH 4-7 contains a weak acid and its sodium salt.
e.g., a mixture of ethanoic acid and sodium ethanoate (CH3COOH and CH3COONa)
CH3COONa (aq) CH3COO-(aq) + Na+(aq)
CH3COOH (aq) CH3COO-(aq) + H+(aq)
Basic buffer (pH 7-11)
A buffer solution of pH 7-11 contains a weak base and its salt.
e.g., A mixture of NH4OH and NH4Cl
NH4OH (aq) NH4+(aq) + OH-(aq)
NH4Cl (aq) NH4+(aq) + Cl-(aq)
Question: (i) What is meant by a buffer solution?
(ii) Mention appropriate buffer solutions for
(a) moderately acidic conditions (b) moderately alkaline conditions

Buffer &JU pH udkwGufwJhtcgrSm yxrqHk;yg0ifypönf;awG&JU

concentration awGudk wGufay; &ygr,f/ NyD;&if 'Dypönf;awG&JU
dissociation equation awGudka&;ay;&ygr,f/ acid [m dilute acid
jzpfwJhtwGuf dissociation equation [m rQm;ESpfaMumif; reversible
reaction eJU a&;ay; NyD; sodium ethanoate [m salt jzpfvdkU complete
dissociation jzpf&ygr,f/ rQm;wpfaMumif; xJyJjzpf&ygr,f/ dissociation
equation rSm physical state awGygzdkU vdkygw,f/acid &JU dissociation
equation udkoHk;NyD; Ka equation a&;&ygr,f/ tJ'D equation uaeNyD; [H+]
udk½SmNyD; pH qufwGuf½HkygyJ/ [H+] wefzdk;rSm unit Molarity
yg&ygr,f/ pH tajzrSm unit vHk;0ryg&yg/ unit xnfhvdkuf&if tajztwGuf
vHk;0trSwfray;awmhygbl;/ wpfqifhcsif; twGuf trSwfawG
ay;xm;vdkU tqifhausmfwGufjcif;jzifh
trSwfawGavsmhoGm;wwfygw,f/
Example 4: Calculate the pH of a buffer solution containing 0.2 mole of methanoic acid
and 0.05 mole of sodium methanoate per 200 cm3. (Ka of ethanoic acid = 1.76 x
10-4)
 - 11 -

[HCOOH] = =1M

[HCOONa] = = 0.25 M

HCOOH onfweak acid jzpfí,if;rSxkwfay;aom HCOO- onf rajymyavmuf

aomaMumifh vpfvsL½IjyD; HCOONa rSjydKuGJaom0.25 M udk acid
jyif;tm;[k,lí wGuf&ygrnf/
HCOONa (aq) HCOO-(aq) + Na+(aq)
0.25 M 0.25 M 0.25 M
[HCOO ] = 0.25 M
-

Ka =

[H+] =

[H+] = = 7.04 x 10-4 M

pH = -log[H+]
= - log 7.04 x 10-4 = - ( log 7.04 + log 10-4)
pH = - (0.8476 - 4) = 3.1524 pH of buffer solution

Indicators (tnTef;ypönf;rsm;)
HIn H+ + In
The dissociation constant of the indicator may be represented as
Kin =

 Organic dyes are commonly used as indicators in ordinary acid-base neutralization.

 The indicators are weak acids or weak bases.
 pH = pKIn ± 1 and Δ pH = 2 units
 The colour of solution will depend on the H + concentration. An indicator may be used
for measuring pH values one unit on either side of it pKIn.
Some acid-base indicators
Phenol red Red 8
Yellow 6
Phenolphthalein Purple 10
Colourless 8
Litmus Blue 8
Red 6
Methyl red Yellow 6
Pink 4
Methyl orange Yellow 5
Pink 3
 - 12 -

Acid-Base Titration (tufqpf-aAh(pf) wdkufaMw;½Sif;)

(a) 0.1 MHC1 with 0.1 M NaOH

(b) 0.1 MHC1 with 0.1 M aqueous ammonia
(c) 0.1 MCH3COOH with 0.1 M NaOH
(d) 0.1 MCH3COOH with 0.1 M aqueous
ammonia
Indicators cannot be used to determine the
equivalence point of this titration.

Titration Curve
The pH of the reacting mixture varies during the course of titration. Usually the curve is
constructed by plotting the change in pH (as ordinate) with change in volume of acid or
base (as abscissa). The curve obtained is called the titration curve.

Problem: The graph in the following figure shows the change of pH as 0.1 M sodium
hydroxide solution is added to 20cm3 of 0.1 M ethanoic acid solution. Five points
are marked on the curve.

pH
14 E
12 D
10
8
6
4
2 C
B
A
0 10 20 30 40
volume of sodium hydroxide added (cm3)

(a) Which point gives the pH of 0.05 M sodium ethanoate solution?

(b) At which point is the pH changing rapidly?
(c) Which point is closest to the pH of pure water?
(d) Which point represents the smallest concentration of hydrogen ions?
 - 13 -

(e) Which point gives, the pH of the solution closest to the value at which a suitable
indicator for following this reaction will change colour?
Answer: (a) Point D (b) Point B (c) Point C (d) Point E (e) Point C