ACID-BASE EQUILIBRIA

BY NADINE ELLIS-HALL
 OBJECTIVES

 explain the differences in behaviour of strong and weak

acids and bases, using Bronsted-Lowry theory
 define the terms Ka, pH, pKa and pKb, Kw and pKw
 perform calculations involving pH, pOH, Ka, pKa Kw and
pKw, Kb and pKb
 describe the changes in pH during acid/base titrations
 explain what is meant by the pH range of indicator
 state the basis for the selection of acid/base indicator for
use in titrations
 DEFINITIONS

 Bronsted-Lowry
 Acids are proton donors
 Base are proton acceptors
 Strong refers to complete dissociation
 Weak refers to partial dissociation
 DEFINITIONS

 Ka is the acid dissociation constant

DEFINITIONS
DEFINITIONS
DEFINITIONS
DEFINITIONS
Strong Acid – Strong Base
Strong Acid – Weak Base
Weak Acid – Strong Base
Weak Acid – Weak Base
 pH Indicators

 pH indicators are weak acids that exist as natural dyes

and indicate the concentration of H+ (H3O+) ions in a
solution via color change. A pH value is determined
from the negative logarithm of this concentration and
is used to indicate the acidic, basic, or neutral
character of the substance you are testing.
 pH Range of Indicators

 Indicators don't change colour sharply at one

particular pH (given by their pKind). Instead, they
change over a narrow range of pH.
pH Range of Indicators