Acids and Bases

This set of flashcards contains key vocabulary terms and definitions related to acids and bases, useful for exam preparation.

Arrhenius Acid

A substance that dissociates to release Hydrogen ions (H+) into solution.

Arrhenius Base

A substance that dissociates to release Hydroxide ions (OH-) into solution.

Dissociation

The process of breaking apart or separating into ions when acids or bases are placed in water.

Bronsted-Lowry Acid

A substance that donates a hydrogen ion (H+).

Bronsted-Lowry Base

A substance that accepts a hydrogen ion (H+).

Conjugate Acid

The species formed when a Bronsted-Lowry base accepts a hydrogen ion.

Conjugate Base

The species formed when a Bronsted-Lowry acid donates a hydrogen ion.

pH Scale

A scale used to specify how acidic or basic a water-based solution is.

Amphoteric

A substance that can act as both an acid and a base.

Auto Ionization of Water

The self-ionization of water where it dissociates into H+ and OH- ions.

pKa

A measure of the strength of an acid in solution; the lower the pKa, the stronger the acid.

Titration

A lab technique where a solution of known concentration is used to determine the concentration of an unknown solution.

Neutralization

A reaction between an acid and a base that produces a salt and water.

Ka (Acid Dissociation Constant)

An equilibrium constant that expresses the extent of ionization of an acid.

Kb (Base Dissociation Constant)

An equilibrium constant that expresses the extent of ionization of a base.

Buffer System

A solution that resists changes in pH when an acid or base is added.

Percent Ionization

The fraction of the acid or base that ionizes compared to the original amount.

Weak Acid

An acid that only partially ionizes in solution.

Strong Acid

An acid that completely ionizes in solution.

Weak Base

A base that only partially ionizes in solution.

Strong Base

A base that completely ionizes in solution.

Equivalence Point

The point in a titration where the amount of acid equals the amount of base added.