Strength of Acids and Bases

8.
4 Strength of Acids and Bases
Chlorine compounds in the

water of a swimming pool
prevent the growth of
bacteria. The concentration
of hydronium ions in
solution must be carefully
controlled so that the right
compounds of chlorine will
be present. Sodium
bicarbonate can be used to
lower the concentration of
hydronium ions in solution.
8.4 Strength of Acids and Bases
The pH Scale
How is pH used to describe the

concentration of acids and bases?
The pH Scale
The pH of a solution is a measure of its
hydronium ion concentration
The lower the pH value, the greater the H3O+
ion concentration in solution is.
The higher the pH value, the lower the H3O+
ion concentration is.
The pH Scale
Chemists use the pH scale–a number scale from
0 to 14–to describe the concentration of
hydronium ions in a solution.
• A pH of 7 indicates a neutral solution.
• Acids have a pH less than 7.
• Bases have a pH greater than 7.
The pH Scale
The pH scale classifies solutions as acids or
bases.
The pH Scale
Pure water ionizes slightly according to the
following reaction.
The arrow pointing to the left is longer than the

arrow pointing to the right to show that water
contains more molecules than ions.
The pH Scale
Water is neutral because it contains small but
equal concentrations of hydronium ions and
hydroxide ions.
• At 25°C, the concentration of both H3O+ and OH– in
water is 1.0 × 10–7 M.
• Pure water has a pH of 7.
The pH Scale
Adding an acid to water increases the
concentration of H3O+ and decreases the
concentration of OH–.
A hydrochloric acid solution in which the
concentration of H3O+ is 0.10 M (or 1.0 × 10–1 M)
has a pH of 1.
The pH Scale
Adding a base to water increases the
concentration of OH– and decreases the
concentration of H3O+.
A sodium hydroxide solution in which the
concentration of OH– is 0.10 M has a
concentration of H3O+ of 1.0 × 10–13 M. This
solution has a pH of 13.
Strong Acids and Bases
How do strong acids and bases differ from

weak acids and bases?
When strong acids dissolve in water, they
ionize almost completely.
Strong bases dissociate almost completely
in water.

Some reactions go to completion, while others
reach equilibrium.
When certain acids and bases dissolve in water,
the formation of ions from the solute almost goes
to completion.
Such acids and bases are classified as strong.

Strong Acids
When hydrogen chloride dissolves in water,
there are about the same number of
hydronium ions in solution as there were
molecules of HCl to begin with.
HCl is an example of a strong acid. Other
strong acids include sulfuric acid, H2SO4, and
nitric acid, HNO3.

Strong Bases
When dissolved in water, sodium hydroxide
almost completely dissociates into sodium
and hydroxide ions.
Sodium hydroxide is an example of a strong
base. Other strong bases include calcium
hydroxide, Ca(OH)2, and potassium
hydroxide, KOH.
Weak Acids and Bases
How do strong acids and bases differ from

weak acids and bases?
Weak acids and bases ionize or dissociate
only slightly in water.

Weak Acids
A solution of acetic acid, CH3COOH, and
water can be described by the following
equation.
The equilibrium favors the reactants over the

products, so few ions form in solution.

A weak acid forms fewer hydronium ions than a
strong acid of the same concentration, so a weak
acid has a higher pH than a strong acid of the
same concentration.
• Concentration is the amount of solute dissolved in a
given amount of solution.
• Strength refers to the solute’s tendency to form ions
in water.
• Concentration and strength both affect pH.

Weak Bases
Ammonia, NH3, is a colorless gas with a
distinctive smell. When it dissolves in water,
very little of it ionizes.
Equilibrium favors the reactants, so few NH4+

and OH– ions are produced.

Buffers
Weak acids and bases can be used to make
buffers.
A buffer is a solution that is resistant to large
changes in pH.
Buffers can be prepared by mixing a weak
acid and its salt or a weak base and its salt.
Electrolytes
Why are strong acids and bases good

electrolytes?
An electrolyte is a substance that ionizes or
dissociates into ions when it dissolves in water.
Strong acids and bases are strong
electrolytes because they dissociate or
ionize almost completely in water.
Electrolytes
Sports drinks contain salts of elements such as
sodium, potassium, and calcium. The electrolytes
in sports drinks help restore the balance of ions in
your body.
Electrolytes
Electrolytes can be classified as strong or weak.
• Sodium hydroxide is a strong electrolyte that
produces many ions in water.
• Salts are also strong electrolytes.
• Acetic acid is a weak electrolyte because it only
partially ionizes.
Assessment Questions
1. Which pH value indicates the solution with the

lowest concentration of hydronium ions?
a. pH 1
b. pH 7
c. pH 10
d. pH 14
1. Which pH value indicates the solution with the

lowest concentration of hydronium ions?
a. pH 1
b. pH 7
c. pH 10
d. pH 14
ANS: D
2. Which substance forms a strong base solution

when it is dissolved in water?
a. NaCl
b. HCl
c. H2CO3
d. Ca(OH)2
2. Which substance forms a strong base solution

when it is dissolved in water?
a. NaCl
b. HCl
c. H2CO3
d. Ca(OH)2
ANS: D
3. Which combination of solutes will form a solution

that is resistant to pH changes?
a. weak acid and water
b. weak acid and strong base
c. weak acid and its salt
d. strong acid and its salt
3. Which combination of solutes will form a solution

that is resistant to pH changes?
a. weak acid and water
b. weak acid and strong base
c. weak acid and its salt
d. strong acid and its salt
ANS: C
1. Acetic acid and sodium carbonate are examples

of strong electrolytes.
True
False
1. Acetic acid and sodium carbonate are examples

of strong electrolytes.
True
False
ANS: F, weak

Strength of Acids and Bases

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8.

4 Strength of Acids and Bases

Chlorine compounds in the

How is pH used to describe the

The arrow pointing to the left is longer than the

Strong Acids and Bases

How do strong acids and bases differ from

Strong Acids and Bases

Strong Acids and Bases

Strong Acids and Bases

Weak Acids and Bases

How do strong acids and bases differ from

Weak Acids and Bases

The equilibrium favors the reactants over the

Weak Acids and Bases

Weak Acids and Bases

Equilibrium favors the reactants, so few NH4+

Weak Acids and Bases

Why are strong acids and bases good

1. Which pH value indicates the solution with the

1. Which pH value indicates the solution with the

2. Which substance forms a strong base solution

2. Which substance forms a strong base solution

3. Which combination of solutes will form a solution

3. Which combination of solutes will form a solution

1. Acetic acid and sodium carbonate are examples

1. Acetic acid and sodium carbonate are examples

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