Chapter 12 - Acids & Bases Flashcards
(33 cards)
Give three examples of common household acids
○Ethanoic acid (CH₃COOH) → found in vinegar
○Citric acid (C₆H₈O₇) → found in oranges and lemons
○Benzoic acid (C₆H₅COOH) → food preservative
Arrhenius definition of an acid
A substance that dissociates in water to produce H⁺ ions
Arrhenius definition of a strong acid
A substance that would almost completely dissociate in water into its two ions (H⁺ and X⁻)
Arrhenius definition of a weak acid
A substance that only slightly dissociates in water into its two ions
Monobasic acid
An Arrhenius acid that had one H⁺ in its molecule
Dibasic acid
An Arrhenius acid that had two H⁺ in its molecule
Tribasic acid
An Arrhenius acid that had three H⁺ in its molecule
Arrhenius definition of a base
Substance that dissociates in water to produce OH⁻ ions (hydroxide ions/hydroxyl)
Arrhenius definition of a strong base
Substance that would almost completely dissociate in water into its two ions (X⁻ and OH⁻)
Arrhenius definition of a weak base
Substance that would only slightly dissociate in water into its two ions
Give two examples of common household bases
○Sodium hydroxide (NaOH) → In caustic soda used to unblock drains
○Magnesium hydroxide (Mg(OH)₂) → found in ‘Milk of Magnesia’
What were the problems with Arrhenius’ Theory of Acids & Bases?
○The H⁺ ions produced when acid dissociates reacts with the water molecule to form H₃O⁺ (hydronium ion). This is what exists in the solution, not H⁺
○His theory only holds for reactions occurring in water. No other solvents are included
○Not all acid-base reactions include water
Brønsted-Lowry definition of an acid
A proton (H⁺) donor
Brønsted-Lowry definition of a strong acid
A good proton donor
Brønsted-Lowry definition of a weak acid
A poor proton donor
Brønsted-Lowry definition of a base
A proton acceptor
Brønsted-Lowry definition of a strong base
A good proton acceptor
Brønsted-Lowry definition of a weak base
A poor proton acceptor
Amphoteric/amphiprotic
A substance that can act as either an acid or a base
What are the advantages of the Brønsted-Lowry Theory over Arrhenius’s?
○Brønsted-Lowry doesn’t require water as a solvent
○Brønsted-Lowry has a broader range of species that can be defined as an acid/base
○Brønsted-Lowry can explain how a substance can be amphoteric in terms of proton transfer
What are the conditions of the Brønsted-Lowry Theory of Acids & Bases?
○It will only work if there is an acid present to donate a proton and a base to accept it
○Have to work in pairs
Conjugate acid-base pair (conjugate pair)
Any pair consisting of an acid and a base that differ by one proton
When does an acid change into its conjugate base?
When it donates a H⁺ e.g. HCN → CN⁻
When does a base change into its conjugate acid?
When it accepts a H⁺ e.g. HCO₃⁻ → H₂CO₃