ALAMINOS CITY NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL – SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL DEPARTMENT

LEARNING ACIVITY SHEET IN GENERAL CHEMISTRY 2

Week 3&4, Quarter 4, April 25-May 6, 2022
I. Bronsted Acids and Bases, pH of Buffer Solutions
II. Most Essential Learning Competency (MELC):
 Define Bronsted acids and bases STEM_GC11ABIVf-g-153
 Discuss the acid-base property of water STEM_GC11ABIVf-g-154
 Calculate ph from the concentration of hydrogen ion or hydroxide ions in aqueous solutions STEM_GC11ABIVf-
g-156
 Describe how a buffer solution maintains its ph STEM_GC11ABIVf-g-160
 Calculate the ph of a buffer solution using the Henderson Hasselbalch equation STEM_GC11ABIVf-g-161

III. DISCUSSIONS:

LESSON 1: Bronsted Acids and Bases

In 1923, chemists Johannes Nicolaus Brønsted and Thomas Martin Lowry independently developed definitions of
acids and bases based on the compounds' abilities to either donate or accept protons (H+H+ ions).
In this theory, acids are defined as proton donors; whereas bases are defined as proton acceptors. A compound that acts as
both a Brønsted-Lowry acid and base together is called amphoteric.

The Brønsted-Lowry Theory of Acids and Bases

Brønsted-Lowry theory of acid and bases took the Arrhenius definition one step further, as a substance no longer
needed to be composed of hydrogen (H+) or hydroxide (OH-) ions in order to be classified as an acid or base.
For example, consider the following chemical equation:
HCl(aq)+NH3(aq)→NH+4(aq)+Cl−(aq)
Here, hydrochloric acid (HCl) "donates" a proton (H+) to ammonia (NH3) which "accepts" it, forming a positively charged
ammonium ion (NH4+) and a negatively charged chloride ion (Cl-).
Therefore, HCl is a Brønsted-Lowry acid (donates a proton) while the ammonia is a Brønsted-Lowry base (accepts a
proton). Also, Cl- is called the conjugate base of the acid HCl and NH4+ is called the conjugate acid of the base NH3.

 A Brønsted-Lowry acid is a proton (hydrogen ion) donor.

 A Brønsted-Lowry base is a proton (hydrogen ion) acceptor.

In this theory, an acid is a substance that can release a proton (like in the Arrhenius theory) and a base is a
substance that can accept a proton. A basic salt, such as Na+F-, generates OH- ions in water by taking protons from
water itself (to make HF):
F−(aq)+H2O(l)⇌HF(aq)+OH−

Acid-Base Property of Water

Water (H2O) is an interesting compound in many respects. Here, we will consider its ability to behave as an acid or
a base.
In some circumstances, a water molecule will accept a proton and thus act as a Brønsted-Lowry base
We saw an example in the dissolving of HCl in H2O:
HCl+H2O(ℓ)→H3O+(aq)+Cl−(aq)
In other circumstances, a water molecule can donate a proton and thus act as a Brønsted-Lowry acid.

For example, in the presence of the amide, a water molecule donates a proton, making ammonia as a product:
H2O(ℓ)+NH−2(aq)→OH−(aq)+NH3(aq)
In this case, NH2− is a Brønsted-Lowry base (the proton acceptor).
So, depending on the circumstances, H2O can act as either a Brønsted-Lowry acid or a Brønsted-Lowry base.
Water is not the only substance that can react as an acid in some cases or a base in others, but it is certainly the most
common example—and the most important one.
A substance that can either donate or accept a proton, depending on the circumstances, is called an amphiprotic
compound.
A water molecule can act as an acid or a base even in a sample of pure water. About 6 in every 100 million (6 in
108) water molecules undergo the following reaction:
H2O(ℓ)+H2O(ℓ)→H3O+(aq)+OH−(aq)
This process is called the autoionization of water and occurs in every sample of water, whether it is pure or part of
a solution. Autoionization occurs to some extent in any amphiprotic liquid.
(For comparison, liquid ammonia undergoes autoionization as well, but only about 1 molecule in a million billion (1 in
1015) reacts with another ammonia molecule.)
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Determining and Calculating pH
The Danish scientist Soren Sorenson (1868-1939) proposed in 1909 the pH scale, a system used for expressing the
hydrogen-ion concentration (H+) of any substance.
On the pH scale, neutral solutions have pH of 7.0. A ph of) is strongly acidic, while a pH of 14 is strongly basic. The pH of
a solution is the negative logarithm of the hydrogen concentration.
pH= -log [H+]
In a neutral solution, [ H+] = 1.0x10-7 mol/L
The pH of a neutral solution is 7 pH = -log (1.0 x 10-7 mol/L)
pH = - (log 1.0 + log 10-7)
pH = - [(0.0 + (-7)]
pH = 7.0
All pH calculations should express in scientific notation. For example, you rewrite a hydrogen-ion concentration of
0.01 M as 1 x 10-2 M. The pH of this solution is 2.0. A solution with a pH of 2.0 is acidic. Similarly, the pOH of a solution
equals the negative logarithm of the hydroxide-ion concentration.
pOH = -log [OH-]
A neutral solution has a pOH of 7.0. A solution with pOH less than 7.0 is basic.
A solution with a pOH greater than 7.0 is acidic. A simple relationship between pH and pOH makes it easy to find
either pH or pOH when the other is known.
pH + pOH = 14
pH = 14 – pOH
pOH = 14- pH

LESSON 2: pH of Buffer Solutions

Buffers resist changes in pH because they contain both an acidic species to neutralize OH- ions and a basic one to
neutralize H+ ions.
Here are some important terms to review:
 Acidic - having a pH less than 7
 Alkaline - having a pH greater than 7; basic
 Buffer - a solution composed of a weak acid and its conjugate base that can be used to stabilize the pH of a solution
 pH is equal to the negative logarithm of the concentration of H+ ions in solution: pH = – log[H+].
 The Henderson–Hasselbalch equation was developed independently by the American biological chemist L. J.
Henderson and the Swedish physiologist K. A. Hasselbalch, for relating the pH to the bicarbonate buffer system of the
blood. In its general form, the Henderson–Hasselbalch equation is a useful expression for buffer calculations.
 The pKa is a quantitative measure of the strength of an acid in solution; a weak acid has a pKa value in the approximate
range -2 to 12 in water and a strong acid has a pKa value of less than about -2.
- pKa value is one method used to indicate the strength of an acid.
- It is the negative log of the acid dissociation constant or Ka value.
- A lower pKa value indicate a stronger acid. That is, the lower value indicates the acid more fully dissociates in
water
FORMULA IN CALCULATING pH OF A BUFFER SOLUTION USING THE HENDERSON- HASSELBALCH
EQUATION:
The Henderson–Hasselbalch equation mathematically connects the measurable pH of a solution with the pKa (which is
equal to -log Ka) of the acid. The equation is also useful for estimating the pH of a buffer solution and finding the
equilibrium pH in an acid-base reaction. The equation can be derived from the formula of pKa for a weak acid or buffer.
The balanced equation for an acid dissociation is:

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Where:
 pH = -log₁₀(H);

 Ka - acid dissociation constant;

 [HA] - concentration of the acid; proton donor

 [A⁻] - concentration of conjugate base; proton acceptor

 pKa = -log₁₀(Ka).

DIRECTIONS: Let’s read and analyze the given problems below. Find out how we come up with the correct answer.
Sample Problem #1.
A mixture of 0.20 M acetic acid and 0.30 M sodium acetate is given. Calculate the pH of the medium if the pKA of the
acetic acid is 4.76.

 Given:
The concentration of the acetic acid (proton donor) = 0.20 M
The concentration of the acetate ion (proton acceptor) = 0.30 M
The pKa of acetic acid = 4.76
 Required: pH

 Solution:
pH = 4.76 + log (0.30)
(0.20)
= 4.76 + 0.18
pH = 4.94

Sample Problem #2
In an acidic solution with a pH of 3.4, 78% of the acid is ionized. What is the pKa of the acid?
Given:
pH = ?
What is the A- or the proton acceptor or the base?
What is the HA or the proton donor or the acid?
What is being asked?
Solution:
pH = pKa + log (base)
(acid)
3.4 = pKa + log (0.78)
(0.22)
3.4 = pKa + 0.55
pKa= ?
Sample Problem #3
What is the pH of a buffer solution that is .50 M in NH3 and .20 M in NH4Cl with 4.75 pKb?
Hint: Identify the acid and base. Since the given is pKb instead of pKa, solve the pKa by subtracting the given pKb
from 14. Because pKa plus pKb is equal to 14. So, 14 minus 4.75 will give you 9.25. Thus, your pKa is 9.25.

Use this formula,

And try to solve.

If your answer is 9.65, your answer is CORRECT! Congratulations!

Application of Buffer Solutions in Real-Life
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Maintaining a constant blood pH is critical for the proper functioning of our body. The buffer that maintains the pH of
human blood involves a carbonic acid - bicarbonate ion.

Source: https://www.khanacademy.org/test-prep/mcat/chemical-processes/acid-base-equilibria/a/chemistry-of-buffers-and-
buffers-in-blood
When any acidic substance enters the bloodstream, the bicarbonate ions neutralize the hydronium ions forming
carbonic acid and water. Carbonic acid is already a component of the buffering system of blood. Thus, hydronium ions are
removed, preventing the pH of blood from becoming acidic.

Chemical reaction diagram of bicarbonate ions neutralizing hydronium ions forming carbonic acid and water.
On the other hand, when a basic substance enters the bloodstream, carbonic acid reacts with the hydroxide ions producing
bicarbonate ions and water. Bicarbonate ions are already a component of the buffer. In this manner, the hydroxide ions are
removed from blood, preventing the pH of blood from becoming basic.

Source: https://www.khanacademy.org/test-prep/mcat/chemical-processes/acid-base-equilibria/a/chemistry-of-buffers-and-
buffers-in-blood
IV. EXERCISES

TASK 1:
A. Complete the table below: Calculate the values of both the pH and the pOH of the following solutions
pH pOH
1. 0.0050 M NaOH
2. 0.020 M NaCl
3. 0.00035 M KOH

B. Determine the Conjugate base of the following acids?

1. HCIO4
2. H2O
3. HCN
4. NH4+
TASK 2: Directions: Calculate the pH of a buffer solution using the Henderson-Hasselbalch equation. Answer the
problems in a separate sheet. The rubrics in giving points are as follows: (5 points each number) 1 point for the
given/required, 2 points for the solution, and 2 points for the correct answer).
1. Consider a buffer solution containing an acid with a pKa of 2.3 and an acid concentration that is one-fourth the
concentration of the conjugate base. What is the pH of the solution?
2. Calculate the pH of a buffer containing 0.1 M sodium acetate and 0.2 M acetic acid (pKa = 4.76).
3. The pH of the given solution of lactic acid and lactate is 4.30. Calculate the pKa of lactic acid, when the concentration of
lactic acid and lactate are 0.020 M and 0.073 M respectively.
VI. REFERENCES
 General Chemistry 2 Alternative Delivery Mode: Grade 11/12 Quarter 4: Week 3 - Module 3: Bronsted Acids and Bases and Week 4 - Module
4 – pH of Buffer Solutions La Union Schools Division Region I

Prepared by: Checked by: Concurred by:

ANGELIKA R. LEE ROSENDO C. BERNABE, JR. PhD JOSE RAMIL A. SIBUN

Special Science Teacher 1 Master Teacher II, Subject Group Head OIC-Asst. School Principal II, Academics