Properties of acid and bases

What is an acid?

Substance that can donate a hydrogen ion e.g HCl

What is a base?

Substance that accepts a hydrogen ion, e.g NaOH (sodium hydroxide)

What is a monoprotic acid?

an acid that can lose 1 hydrogen ion, e.g HCl

What is a diprotic acid?

an acid that can lose 2 hydrogen ions e.g H2SO4

Strong acid and base: conductivity

Good electrical conductivity due to complete ionisation/dissociation of the acid or base

Weak acid and base: conductivity

Poor electrical conductivity due to little ionisation of the acid/base molecules

What is the difference between strength and concentration?

concentrated - lots of particles (either strong or weak)

dilute - not many particles (either strong or weak)

What is the dissociation of a strong acid and base?

complete ionisation dissociation into ions

What is the dissociation of a weak acid and base?

only partial dissociation into ions

What reaction occurs when a strong acid and base react with water?

complete dissociation into ions

HA + H2 → (H2O+) + A- or often shortened to HA → (H+) + A-

e.g HCl; BOH + H2O → (B+) + OH- + H2O

What reaction occurs when a weak acid and base reacts with water?

partial dissociation into ions

HA + H2O ←> H2O- + A- (equilibrium) e.g. CH2COOH ←> (H2O+) + CH3COO-

What’s an example of a strong acid?

HCl (hydrochloric acid) and sulfuric acid (H2SO4)

What’s an example of a weak acid?

Acetic acid (CH3COOH) and other carboxylic acids

Whats an example of a strong base?

Sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and potassium hydroxide (KOH)

What’s an example of a weak base?

Ammonia (NH3)