concept 3.3: acidic and basic conditions affect living organisms

what is an H+ atom

a hydrogen atom that leaves its electron behind and is transferred as a proton, hydrogen ion

what is OH-

that molecule that loses a proton, hydroxide

what is H3O+

hydronium ion or the molecule with an extra proton, can also be represented as H+

dynamic equilibrium

a state where the molecules are dissociating at the same rate they are being reformed

what is the concentrartion of H+

10^-7 M

what is the concentration of OH-

10^-7M

are H+ and OH- reactive

they are very reactive

when are concentrations of H+ and OH- equal

in pure water or solutions with a pH of exactly 7

H2O=

H+ + OH-

what is an acid

a substance that increases the H+ concentration of a solution

what is a base

a substance that reduces the H+ concentration of a solution or one that increase that OH- concentration

when do strong acids and bases dissociate completely

in water

define “p”

p is the negative log of the following, ex would be pH is the -log H+

pH of acidic solutions

less than 7

pH of basic solutions

more than 7

what is the difference between a strong acid/base and a weak acid/base

strong will dissociate completely and weak will dissociate partially

what is a buffer

a substance that minimizes changes in concentrations of H+ and OH- in a solution

what are most buffers comprised with

most contain a weak acid and its corresponding base

why does acidification occur

CO2 dissolved in the water and produces carbonic acid

what molecules are important regarding ocean acidification

CO2- dissolves, carbonic acid- results from CO2 dissolving, carbonate- required for calcification of many sea creatures (shells, coral) bicarbonate ions- H+ ions combined with carbonate ions, calcium carbonate- used to produce shells