19/09/2013

Strong Acids and Bases

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Strong Acids and Bases

Skills to develop
Give the names and formulas of some strong acids and bases. Explain the pH scale, and convert pH and [HSUP>+]. Evaluate solution pH and pOH of strong acids or bases.

Strong Acids and Bases

The animation here shows the formation of H3+O ions and OH- ions in an aqueous system. Acids and bases that are completely ionized when dissolved in water are called strong acids and strong bases There are only a few strong acids and bases, and everyone should know their names and properties. These acids are often used in industry and everyday life. The concentrations of acids and bases are often expressed in terms of pH, and as an educated person, you should have the skill to convert concentrations into pH and pOH. The pH is an indication of the hydrogen ion concentration, [H+].

Strong Acids
Strong acids are acids that are completely or nearly 100% ionized in their solutions. Here are some common strong acids: Ionization of a strong acid HA can be represented by: HA = H+ + Ax x Strong acids Type Hydrogen halides HCl Formula HBr HI

Oxyacids HClO3 HBrO3 HIO3 where x is the concentration of H+, [H+]. For a strong acid, [H+] = [A-] = concentration of acid (= x ), if x is much greater of halogens, HClO HBrO HIO 4 4 4 than 1x10-7 (represented as e-7). For a very dilute strong acid solution with concentration less than 1E-7, the pH is Sulfuric acid H2SO4 dominated by the autoionization of water,
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Strong Acids and Bases

H2O = H+ + OH-,

Kw = 1e-14 at 298 K.

Nitric acid

HNO3

The pH and pOH Scales

The pH scale is defined as the negative log of the concentration of H+: pH = -log[H+] The pOH scale is defined as the negative log of the concentration of OH-, [OH-]: pOH = -log[OH-] With this scale, calculating the pOH can be done in the same manner as the pH scale. Example 1 Calculate the pH of a solution with 1.2345E-4 M HCl Solution The solution of a strong acid is completely ionized. Thus, [H+] = 1.234e-4. pH = -log(1.234e-4) = 3.909 Discussion What is the pH for a solution containing 1.234 M [HCl]? pH = 0.0913 Example 2 Calculate the pH of a stock HCl solution that is 32% by mass HCl. Solution The density of such a solution is needed before we can calculate the pH. Since the density is not on the label, we need to find it from the Material Safety Data Sheet, which gives the specific gravity of 1.150. Thus, the amount of acid in 1.0 L is 1150 g. The amount of HCl = 1000*1.150*0.32
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The pH and pOH scale at 298 K pH [H+] pOH 1 2 3 4 5 6 0.1 0.01 1e-4 1e-5 1e-6 13 12 10 9 8

0.001 11

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Strong Acids and Bases

= 368 g (1 mol/36.5 g <- molar mass of HCl) = 10.08 M = [H+] pH = -log(10..08) = -1.003 Discussion Yes, pH have negative values if [H+] > 1.0 Check out the information on nitric acid, and calculate the pH of a stock nitric acid solution. Example 3 Calculate the pH of a solution containing 1.00E-7 of HCl. Solution [H+] = 1.0e-7 M from the strong acid, and if x is the amount from the ionization of water, then we have the equilibrium due to the autoionization of water:
+ + C H C l = H l + < -[ H ]f r o mt h ea c i d

1 E 7

1 E 7

+ + O H O = H H 2 ( 1 E 7 ) + x x

< -w ed o n ' tk n o wy e t

Recall that Kw = [H+] [OH-] = 1E-14, due to the ionization equilibrium of water in the solution: {(1.00E-7)+x } x = 1E-14 x 2 + 1.00e-7x - 1.00E-14 = 0 Solving this equation for x results in x = {-1.00E-7 + (1.00E-14 + 4*1.00E-14)1/2} / 2 = 0.61E-7 + [H ] = (1.00 + 0.61)E-7 M pH = -log(1.61E-7) = 6.79
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Strong Acids and Bases

Discussion If you require only 1 significant figure, the pH is about 7.

Strong Bases
Strong bases are completely ionized in solution. For example, KOH dissolve in water in the reaction KOH = K+ + OH-. Relative to strong acids, there are fewer number of strong bases. Most strong bases are alkali hydroxides. Calcium oxide is considered a strong base, because it is completely, almost completely, ionized. However, the solubility of calcium hydroxide is very low. When Ca(OH)2 dissolve in water, the ionization reaction is as follows: Ca(OH)2 = Ca2+ + 2 OH-. Strong bases Name Formula Sodium NaOH hydroxide Potassium KOH hydroxide Cesium CsOH hydroxide Calcium Ca(OH) 2 hydroxide

The concentration of OH- is twice the concentration of Ca2+, [OH-] = 2 [Ca2+] Example 4 Calculate the pOH of a solution containing 1.2345E-4 M Ca(OH)2 . Solution Based on the ionization, [OH-] = 2*1.234e4 = 2.468E-4 M pOH = -log(2.468E-4) = 3.61 Discussion The molar solubility of calcium hydroxide is 0.013 M Ca(OH)2. Calculate the pOH. pOH = 1.58

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Autoionization of Water
The equilibrium product Kw = [H+] [OH-] is a constant at a definite temperature due to the autoionization of water, H2O = H+ + OH-. At 298 K, Kw = 10-14 and the following relationship in any aqueous solution is obvious, pOH + pH = 14 at 298 K. Of course, when T is higher than 298 K, pH + pOH is slightly less than 14 due to a higher degree of ionization of water. Conversely, at low temperatures, pH + pOH is larger than 14 due to less degree of ionization.

Confidence Building Questions

What is the pH of a solution containing 0.01 M HNO3 ? Answer 2 Hint... You do not need a calculator to evaluate -log (0.01) = 2 What is the pH of a solution containing 0.0220 M Ba(OH)2 ? Give 3 significant figures? Answer 12.64 Hint... Ba(OH)2 = Ba2+ + 2 OHExactly 1.00 L solution was made by dissolving 0.80 g of NaOH in water. What is [H+]? (Atomic mass: Na, 23.0; O, 16.0; H, 1.0) Answer 5.0e-13 Hint... [OH-] = 0.80/40 = 0.02 M; [H+] = 1e-14 / 0.02 = 5e-13 M. The pH is -12.3.
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Strong Acids and Bases

What is the pH for a solution which is 0.050 M HCl? Answer 1.3 Hint... This solution contains 1.83 g of HCl per liter. [H+] = 0.050. Which of the following is usually referred to as strong acid in water solution? HF, HNO2 , H2 CO3 , H2 S, HSO4 -, Cl-, HNO3 , HCN Answer HNO3 Consider... All others are weak acids
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