H. Chem. Ch. 14 & 15 Study Guide

A comprehensive list of vocabulary terms and definitions translated from the H. Chem Chapters 14 & 15 study guide transcript.

Acid

A molecule or ion capable of either donating a proton.

Hydronium ion

Ion consisting of a proton combined with a molecule of water; $H_3O^+$.

Amphoretic

Describes a substance, such as water, that has the properties of an acid and the properties of a base.

Indicator

A substance that turns different colors in acids and bases.

Base

A substance that neutralizes acids, accepts protons (ions), or donates electron pairs.

Litmus

A natural water-soluble dye extracted from lichens; used as a pH indicator to determine whether a solution is acidic or basic.

Buffer

A solution that resists significant changes in pH when small amounts of acid or base are added.

Monoprotic acid

Acid that can donate only one proton to a base.

Diprotic acid

Acid that has two ionizable hydrogen atoms in each molecule, such as sulfuric acid.

Triprotic acid

An acid that has three ionizable protons per molecule, such as phosphoric acid.

Buret

A graduated glass tube with a stopcock at the bottom, designed to dispense precise, variable volumes of liquids, commonly used for titrations.

pH

Value that is used to express the acidity or alkalinity (basicity) of a system; each whole number of the scale indicates a tenfold change in acidity; a pH or $7$ is neutral, a pH of less than $7$ is acidic, and a pH of greater than $7$ is basic.

Chemical equilibrium reaction

A state of balance in which the rate of a forward reaction equals the rate of reverse reaction and the concentrations of products and reactants remain unchanged.

Conjugate acid

The particle remaining after a base accepts a proton.

Conjugate base

The particle remaining after an acid donates a proton.

Pipet

A laboratory instrument used to measure out or transfer small quantities of liquid.

Electrolyte

A substance that dissolves in water to give a solution that conducts an electric current.

Titration

A method to determine the concentration of a substance in solution by adding a solution of known volume and concentration until the reaction is completed, which is usually indicated by a change in color.

Hydrolysis

A chemical reaction between water and another substance to form two or more new substances; a reaction between water and a salt to create an acid or a base.

$K_a$ ($K_b$) values

Values used to compare the relative strengths of acids (bases).