1. Propanoic acid, CH3CH2COOH is a weak acid.

(a) Give the equation for the ionization of propanoic acid in water and deduce the expression
for the ionization constant, Ka, of propanoic acid.

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(2)

(b) Calculate the Ka value of propanoic acid using the pKa value in the Data Booklet.

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(1)

+
(c) Use your answer from (b) to calculate the [H ] in an aqueous solution of propanoic acid
–3
of concentration 0.0500 mol dm , and hence the pH of this solution.

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(3)
(Total 6 marks)

2. (a) (i) Calculate the Ka value of methanoic acid, HCOOH, using table 16 in the Data
Booklet.

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(1)

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(ii) Based on its Ka value, state and explain whether methanoic acid is a strong or weak
acid.

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(2)

–3
(iii) Calculate the hydrogen ion concentration and the pH of a 0.010 mol dm
methanoic acid solution. State one assumption made in arriving at your answer.
(4)

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 (b) Explain how you would prepare a buffer solution of pH 3.75 starting with methanoic
acid.

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(3)
(Total 10 marks)

–
3. The indicator bromophenol blue, HIn(aq), has a form that is yellow and an In (aq) form that
is blue.

(a) Write an equation to show how bromophenol blue acts as an indicator.

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(1)

(b) State and explain the colour of bromophenol blue

(i) on the addition of a strong acid.

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(ii) at the equivalence point of a titration.

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(3)
(Total 4 marks)

3
4. (a) The dissociation of water takes place as follows:
+ –
H2O(l) H (aq) + OH (aq)

(i) State the expression for the ionic product constant of water, Kw.

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(1)

–14 2 –6 +
(ii) The value of Kw is 2.410 mol dm at 310 K. Calculate the [H ] at 310 K.

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(1)

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(b) Lactic acid CH3CH(OH)COOH is a weak monoprotic acid
–4 –3
(pKa = 3.85 and Ka = 1.4×10 mol dm ).

(i) Write an equation for the reaction of lactic acid with water.

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(1)

(ii) State the ionization constant expression, Ka, for lactic acid.

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(1)

–3
(iii) Calculate the pH of a 0.20 mol dm solution of lactic acid.

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(2)

–3
(iv) Determine the pH of a solution containing 0.10 mol dm of lactic acid and 0.10
–3
mol dm of sodium lactate.

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(1)
(Total 7 marks)

5
 3
5. The graph below shows the change in pH when aqueous sodium hydroxide is added to 20 cm
of aqueous hydrochloric acid.

12

11

10

pH 6

0
0 5 10 15 20 25 30
Vo lu m e o f N aO H / cm 3

By reference to the graph

+
(i) state the [H ] before any alkali is added.

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(1)

+ 3
(ii) state by how much the [H ] changes after the addition of 20 cm of aqueous sodium
hydroxide.

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(1)

3
(iii) determine the volume of the same sodium hydroxide solution needed to neutralize 20 cm

6
 of aqueous ethanoic acid of the same concentration as the hydrochloric acid.

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(1)
(Total 3 marks)

3
6. The following graph shows how the pH changes during the titration of 10 cm of a solution of a
–3
weak acid (HA) with 0.10 mol dm NaOH.

14
13
12
11
10
9
8
pH
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 1 0 11 1 2 1 3 1 4
–3
Vo lu m e o f 0 .1 0 m o l d m N aO H / cm 3

(i) State the pH at the equivalence point and explain why the pH changes rapidly in this
region.

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(2)

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 (ii) Calculate the initial concentration of the acid (HA).

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(3)

+
(iii) Calculate the [H ] of the acid before any sodium hydroxide is added. Use this value to
determine the Ka value and the pKa value of the acid.

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(5)
(Total 10 marks)

3
7. A buffer solution can be made by dissolving 0.25 g of sodium ethanoate in 200 cm of 0.10 mol
–3
dm ethanoic acid. Assume that the change in volume is negligible.

(i) Define the term buffer solution.

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(2)

–3
(ii) Calculate the concentration of the sodium ethanoate in mol dm .

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(3)

(iii) Calculate the pH of the resulting buffer solution by using information from Table 16 of
the Data Booklet.

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(3)
(Total 8 marks)

8. The pH values of solutions of three organic acids of the same concentration were measured.

acid X pH = 5
acid Y pH = 2
acid Z pH = 3

(i) Identify which solution is the least acidic.

(1)

+
(ii) Deduce how the [H ] values compare in solutions of acids Y and Z.
(2)

(iii) Arrange the solutions of the three acids in decreasing order of electrical conductivity,
starting with the greatest conductivity, giving a reason for your choice.
(2)
(Total 5 marks)

9
 3
9. A titration was carried out to determine the concentration of 25.0 cm of an aqueous solution of
–3
nitric acid. The pH value of the liquid in the flask was measured as 0.100 mol dm , aqueous
sodium hydroxide was added. The results are shown on the graph below.

14

12

10

pH 8

0 10 20 30 40
Vo lu m e o f N aO H (aq ) / cm 3

+
(i) Use the graph to determine the value of [H ] of the nitric acid solution.
(1)

+ –3 –3
(ii) Determine the pH value when the value of [H ] has decreased to 1×10 mol dm .
(1)

–3
(iii) Use the graph to determine the volume of 0.100 mol dm aqueous sodium hydroxide
solution needed to exactly neutralize the nitric acid.
(1)

–3
(iv) Calculate the concentration, in mol dm , of the nitric acid.
(2)
(Total 5 marks)

10
10. The pH values of three acidic solutions, X, Y and Z, are shown in the following table:

Solution Acid pH
X HCl(aq) 2
Y HCl(aq) 4
Z CH3COOH(aq) 4

(i) Solutions X and Z have the same acid concentration. Explain, by reference to both acids,
why they have different pH values.
(2)

+
(ii) Deduce by what factor the values of [H ] in solutions X and Y differ.
(1)
(Total 3 marks)

–3
11. (a) Explain why a 1.0 mol dm solution of sodium hydroxide has a pH of 14 whereas
–3
1.0 mol dm ammonia solution has a pH of about 12. Use equations in your answer.
(5)

11
 3
(b) 20.0 cm of a known concentration of sodium hydroxide is titrated with a solution of
nitric acid. The graph for this titration is given below.

13

pH
7

0 10 20 30
Vo lu m e o f n itric acid / cm 3

(i) State an equation for the reaction between sodium hydroxide and nitric acid.
(1)

(ii) Calculate the concentration of the sodium hydroxide solution before the titration.
(2)

(iii) From the graph determine the volume of nitric acid required to neutralize the
sodium hydroxide and calculate the concentration of the nitric acid.
(2)

(iv) Predict the volume of ethanoic acid of the same concentration as the nitric acid in
3
(b) (iii), required to neutralize 20.0 cm of this sodium hydroxide solution.
(1)
(Total 11 marks)

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