ACIDS AND BASES

LESSON 7
 Acid - base theories
Arrhenius theory:
• An acid is a substance that produces hydrogen ions (H+) / hydronium ions (H3O+)
when it dissolves in water.
• A base is a substance that produces hydroxide ions (OH–) when it dissolves in water.
Brønsted-Lowry theory
• An acid is a proton (H+ ion) donor.
• A base is a proton (H+ ion) acceptor.
 Dissociation and ionization
Dissociation:
• It is the process where ionic solids (metal + non-metal) dissolve in water to form
an aqueous solutions.
• The solid, that consists of an ionic crystal lattice breaks up into free ions that
become hydrated by water molecules - ion-dipole forces form.
• The solution is an electrolyte.
• Example:
A2O3(s) 2A3+(aq) + 3O2-(aq)
Ionization:
• It is the process where polar covalent compounds (non-metal + non-metal)
dissolve in water to form an aqueous solutions.
• The compound, that consists of polar covalent molecules, form ions during the
interaction with polar water molecules. These ions can act as charge carriers in
the solution.
• Pure covalent liquids are not conductors of electricity, but solutions are
electrolytes.
• Example:
H2SO4() + 2H2O( 2H3O+(aq) + SO42-(aq)
 Strong and weak acids
Strong acids
• These acids Ionises completely in water to form a high concentration of H3O+ ions.
• Examples of strong acids are hydrochloric acid (HCℓ), sulphuric acid (H2SO4) and nitric
acid (HNO3).
H2SO4(+ 2H2O() SO42-(aq) + 2H3O+(aq)
HNO3() + H2O() NO3-(aq) + H3O+(aq)
[ions] are high when equilibrium is reached.
KA value is high.
Aqueous solutions of strong acids are good conductors of electricity - high [ions] to act
as charge carriers.
pH 3
Weak acids
• These acids Ionise incompletely in water to form a low concentration of H3O+ ions.
• Examples of weak acids are ethanoic acid (CH3COOH) and oxalic acid (COOH)2.
CH3COOH() + H2O() CH3COO-(aq) + H3O+(aq)
(COOH)2(s) + 2H2O() (COO-)2(aq) + 2H3O+(aq)
[ions] are low when equilibrium is reached.
Ka value is small.
Aqueous solutions of weak acids are bad conductors of electricity - [ions] is small - only
a few charge carriers in the solution
pH is between 3 and 7.
Strong bases
• Strong bases dissociate completely in water and form a high concentration of hydroxide
ions (OH-) in solution.
NAME FORMULA HOUSEHOLD NAME
Lithium hydroxide LiOH
Sodium hydroxide NaOH Caustic soda
Potassium hydroxide KOH Caustic potash
Magnesium hydroxide Mg(OH)2
Calcium hydroxide Ca(OH)2 Slaked lime

• [ions] are high when equilibrium is reached.

Kb value is high.
Aqueous solutions of strong bases are good conductors of electricity - [ions] is big -
many charge carriers in the solution.
pH is high
Weak bases
• Weak bases dissociate or ionise incompletely in water and form a low concentration of
hydroxide ions (OH-) in solution.
NAME FORMULA HOUSEHOLD NAME
Sodium carbonate Na2CO3 Washing soda
Calcium carbonate CaCO3 Limestone
Sodium bicarbonate NaHCO3 Baking soda
Nitrogen trihydride NH3 Ammonia

• Ammonia ionises in water, the other bases dissociate in water.

• [ions] are high when equilibrium is reached.
Kb value is high.
Aqueous solutions of strong bases are good conductors of electricity - [ions] is big -
many charge carriers in the solution.
pH is high
 Concentrated and dilute
acids and bases.
c = (moldm )
-3

Concentrated acids and bases.

• Concentrated acids and bases contain a large amount (number of moles) of acid or
base in proportion to the volume of water.
Dilute acids and bases.
• Dilute acids contain a small amount (number of moles) of acid or base in proportion to
the volume of water.
 Properties of acids and bases
ACIDS
• Have a sour taste;
• Influence the colour of indictors;
• Are electrolytes in solution;
• Increase the H+-ion concentration in a
solution;
• Decrease the OH−-ion concentration in a
solution;
• Decrease the pH of a solution.
BASES
• Have a bitter taste;
• Influence the colour of indictors;
• Are electrolytes in solution;
• Decrease the H+-ion concentration in a
solution;
• Increase the OH−-ion concentration in a
solution;
• Increase the pH of a solution.

Make sure that you know the names, formulae and uses of common acids and
bases (pg 6 & 7 of the notes).
 Mono- and polyprotic acids
• Monoprotic acids only have one proton (H+) to donate during protolytic reactions.
• Examples:
HC; HNO3; CH3COOH
• Polyprotic acids can donate two or three protons per molecule. These acids ionise in
steps.
• Examples:
H2SO4; H2CO3; (COOH)2 - diprotic acids
H3PO4 triprotic acid.
H3PO4() + H2O() H3O+(aq) + H2PO4-(aq)
H2PO4-(aq) + H2O() H3O+(aq) + HPO42-(aq)
HPO42-(aq) + H2O() H3O+(aq) + PO43-
H3PO4() + 3H2O() 3H3O+(aq) + PO43-(aq)
 Conjugate acid-base pairs
• Protolytic reactions are acid-base reactions during which protons are transferred.
• The acid donates a proton and at the same time the base gains the proton.
• The acid that donates the proton, becomes the conjugate base.
• A strong acid has a weak conjugate base and vice versa.
• The base that accepts the proton becomes the conjugate acid.
• A strong base has a weak conjugate acid and vice versa.
• Examples:
HC H+ + C-
acid conjugate base
OH- + H+ H2O
base conjugate acid

H2SO4 H+ + HSO4-
acid conjugate base

H2PO4- ⇌ H+ + HPO42-
acid conjugate base

NH3 + H+ NH4+
base conjugate acid
 Ampholytes
• An ampholyte is a substance that can act as an acid in the presence of a base or as a
base in the presence of an acid.
• Examples:
• HSO4-
As an acid: HSO4- ⇌ H+ + SO42-
As a base: HSO4- + H+ H2SO4
• H2PO4-
As an acid: H2PO4- H+ + HPO42-
As a base: H2PO4- + H+ ⇌ H3PO4
• H2 O
As an acid: H2O ⇌ H+ + OH-
As a base: H2O + H+ H3O+