Topic 8 Acids and Bases 8.

Brønsted Lowry Acids and Bases and Lewis Theory SL/HL

1. A Brønsted-Lowry base is defined as a substance which

A. accepts H+ ions.

B. produces OH- ions.

C conducts electricity.

D. donates protons.

2. NH3(aq}+HNO2(aq)→NH4+(aq) + NO2-(aq)

For this reaction, a Brønsted-Lowry acid is

A. NH3(aq) because it contains the largest number of hydrogen atoms.
B. NH3 (aq) because it accepts a proton from HNO2 (aq).
C. HNO2(aq) because it has lone pairs of electrons on the oxygen atoms.
D. HNO2(aq) because it donates a proton to NH3(aq).

3. Which of the following represents a conjugate acid-base pair in this reaction?

CH3COOH(aq)+H2O(1) ↔ CH3COO-(aq) + H3O+ (aq)

A. CH3COOH/H2O
B. CH3COOH/ CH3COO-
C. CH3COOH/H3O+

D. CH3COO-/H3O+

4. Which equation represents an acid-base reaction according to the Lewis theory but not
according to the Brønsted-Lowry theory?

A. CO3 2-(aq) + 2H+(aq) → H2O(l) + CO2(g)

B. Cu2+(aq) + 4NH3(aq) → Cu(NH3)42+(aq)

C. BaO(s) + H2O(l) → Ba2+(aq) + 2OH-
(aq) D. NH3(g) + HCl(g) → NH4Cl(s)
 5. In aqueous solution, hydrochloric acid is a strong acid and ethanoic acid is a weak acid.

(a) Use the Brønsted-Lowry theory to state why both substances are classified as acids. [I]

Ethanoic acid, CH3COOH, is a weak acid.

(b)Give the equation for the reaction of ethanoic acid with water and clearly identify all the
Brønsted-Lowry acids and bases. [3]

(c) Give the structural formula for the conjugate base of ethanoic acid. [1]

(d) In the following reactions identify clearly the acid, conjugate base, base and conjugate acid;
(i) HNO3 + H2SO4↔H2NO3++ HSO4- [1]
(ii) CH3CH2NH2 + H2O↔ OH- +CH3CH2NH3+ [1]
(e) Using the equation (i) in (e), state and explain the relative strengths of nitric and sulphuric
acid. [2]

(f) 2H2O(1) → H3O+ (aq) + OH-(aq)

State the name used to describe substances that can act as an acid or a base. Use the Brønsted-Lowry
Theory to discuss the acidic and/or basic nature of water. [3]

6. In aqueous solution, sodium hydroxide is a strong base and ammonia is a weak base.

(a) Use the Brønsted-Lowry theory to state why both substances are classified as bases. [1]
 Sodium hydrogencarbonate dissolves in water forming an alkaline solution according to the following ionic
equilibrium:

HCO3- (aq) + H2O(1) H2CO3 (aq) + OH- (aq)

(b) Why is the solution alkaline? [1]

(c) Using the Brensted-Lowry theory, state, with a brief explanation, whether the HCO3 ion is
behaving as an acid or as a base.

[2]

(d) Identify the conjugate base of carbonic acid, H2CO3. [1]

(e) Write an equation to show the reaction of ammonia with water and classify each product as a

Brønsted-Lowry acid or base.

[2]

(f) What is the conjugate base of the hydroxide ion, OH-? [1]

(g) Define the terms Brønsted-Lowry acid and Lewis acid. For each type of acid, identify one example [5]
other than water and write an equation to illustrate the definition.

Topic 8 Acids and Bases 8.2

 pH and Properties of Weak Acids and Bases SL/HL
1. The pH of solution X is 1 and that of Y is 2. Which statement is correct about the hydrogen ion
concentrations in the two solutions?

A. [H+ ] in X is half that in Y.


B. [H+ ] in X is twice that in Y.

C. [H+ ] in X is one tenth of that in Y. 

D. [H+ ] in X is ten times that in Y.

2. Which methods will distinguish between equimolar solutions of a strong base and a strong acid?

I. Add magnesium to each solution and look for the formation of gas bubbles.
II. Add aqueous sodium hydroxide to each solution and measure the temperature change.
III. Use each solution in a circuit with a battery and lamp and see how bright the lamp glows.

A. I and II only

B. I and III only

C. II and III only

D. I, II and III

3. Which change in [H+] causes the biggest increase in pH?

A. A change in [( H +)aq] from 1 x 10-1 to 1x 10-2 mol dm-3

B. A change in [( H +)aq] from 1 x 10-1 to 1 x 10-4 mol dm-3

C. A change in [( H +)aq] from 1 x 10-3 to 1 x 10-5 mol dm-3

D.
A change in [( H +)aq] from 1 x 10-4 to 1 x 10-6 mol dm-3

4. . Solutions P, Q, R and S have the following properties:

P :pH = 8 Q:[H+] = 1x10-3 moldm-3 R: pH = 5 S: :[H+] = 2x10-7 moldm-3

When these solutions are arranged in order of increasing acidity (least acidic first), the correct order is
A. P,S,R,Q.
B. Q,R,S,P.
C. S,R,P,Q.
D. R,P,Q,S.
5. The pH values of solutions of three organic acids of the same concentration were measured.
acid X pH =5, acid Y pH = 2, acid Z pH = 3

(i) Identify which solution is the least acidic.

[1]
 (ii) Define pH. [1]

(ii) Deduce how the [H+] values compare in solutions of acids Y and Z.

[1]

(iii) Arrange the solutions of the three acids in decreasing order of electrical conductivity,
starting with the greatest conductivity, giving a reason for your choice.
[2]

6. Solutions of 0.1 mol dm -3 sodium hydroxide and 0.1 mol dm -3 ammonia have different
electrical conductivities.

(i) State and explain which solution has the greater conductivity. [1]

(ii) The pH value of 0.1 mol dm-3 ammonia solution is approximately 11. State and
explain how the pH value of the 0.1 mol dm-3 sodium hydroxide solution would
compare.
[2]

7. (a) By means of balanced equations, give three different types of chemical reaction of an
acid, such as aqueous sulphuric acid.

[3]

(b) What is the difference between a strong acid and a weak acid? How could you distinguish
between them experimentally? [4]

(c) A 0.01 mol dm -3 solution of hydrochloric acid has a pH value of 2. Suggest, with a reason, the pH
values of 0.1 mol dm-3 HCl and 0.1 mol dm-3 ethanoic acid.
[4]
(c) Two acidic solutions, A and B, of equal concentration, have pH values of 2 and 6
respectively.

(i) Indicate which acid is stronger and calculate how many times more acidic it is. [3]

(ii) Give two ways in which solution A could be treated to produce a solution of pH 6. [2]

8. (a) Give examples of both a strong base and a weak base, clearly indicating which is which. [2]

(b) Give an equation for the reaction between carbonic acid and one of the bases given in (e). [2]

(c) Carbonic acid can be used to treat wasp (an insect) stings.
(i) Suggest what this indicates about the nature of wasp stings.
(ii) Name the type of reaction that occurs.
(iii) Explain why hydrochloric acid is not used to treat wasp stings. [3]

9. Carbonic acid (H2C03) is described as a weak acid and hydrochloric acid (HCl) is described as a
strong acid.

(a) Explain, with the help of equations, what is meant by strong and weak acid using the above
acids as examples.

[4]

(zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz)
utline two ways, other than using pH, in which you could distinguish between carbonic acid
and hydrochloric acid of the same concentration.

[4]
A solution of hydrochloric acid, HCl(aq), has a pH of 1 and a solution of carbonic acid,
H2CO3(aq), has a pH of 5. Determine the ratio of the hydrogen ion concentrations in these
solutions.
[2]

(d) Ammonia acts as a base in water. Write a balanced equation for this reaction and state
what would be observed if the final solution were tested with pH paper. [2]
 Topic 8 8.3
Acids and
Bases

Calculations involving Acids and Bases HL ONLY

1. The Ka for a weak monoprotic acid is 1 x 10-5 mol dm-3. What will be the pH of a solution of
this acid with a concentration of 0.1 mol dm-3 ?

A. 1

B. 3

C. 4

D. 6

2. What is the concentration of OH- ions (in mol dm-3) in an aqueous solution in which [H+] =
2.0xl0-3 mol dm-3? (Kw =1.0xl0-14mol 2dm-6)
A. 2.0xl0-3
B. 4.0xl0-6
C. 5.0xl0-12
D. 2.0xl0-17

3. A 0.1 mol dm -3 solution of a weak acid has a pH = 3.0. What is Ka for this acid?
A. 1.0xl0-1
B. 1.0xl0-3
C. 1.0xl0-5
D. 1.0xl0-6
4. The pH value of a 1.00x10 -3 mol dm-3 solution of sodium hydroxide is
A. 3.
B. 8.
C. 11.
D. 14.

5. (a) Write an equation to show the ionisation of propanoic acid (CH3CH2COOH) in water. [1]

(b) Give the equilibrium expression for this reaction. [1]

(c) Using information from Table 16 in the Data Booklet, determine the pH of a 0.200 mol dm-3
aqueous solution of propanoic acid. State the approximation that you have made in arriving
at your answer.

[3]
d) Determine the pOH of a solution with an ammonia concentration of 0.121mol dm−3
( pKb of ammonia is 4.75.)

[3]
6. The following table is to be used as appropriate in answering this question.

Solution Solutes Conc, (mol dm-3) K (mol dm-3)

A HCl(aq) 0.25
B CH3COOH(aq) 0.25 Ka = 1.8 x 10-5
C NaOH(aq) 0.25
D NH3(aq) 0.25 Kb= 1.8 x 10-5
E CH3COONa(aq) 0.25

(a) Calculate the pH of solution A and indicate why no Ka value is given for
this solution. (2]

(b) Calculate the pH of solution B. State any assumptions made. [4]

(c) Use information from Table 16 of the Data Booklet to calculate the value of the ionisation
constant, Ka, of ethanoic acid. [1]

(d) Write the expression for the ionisation constant, Ka of ethanoic acid. [1]

(e) Use your answers to (c) and (d) to calculate the pH value of a 0.050 mol dm -3 solution of
ethanoic acid. [2]
 Topic 8 Acids and Bases 8.4
Buffer Solutions HL ONLY
1. A buffer solution can be prepared by adding which of the following to 50 cm3 of 0.10 mol dm-3 CH3COOH(aq)?
I. 50cm3of 0.10 moldm-3 CH3COONa(aq)
II. 25cm3of 0.10 moldm-3 NaOH(aq)
III. 50cm3of 0.10 moldm-3 NaOH(aq)

A. I only
B. I and II only
C. II and III only
D. I, II and III

2. Which of the following combinations produce a buffer solution when equal volumes are mixed?
I. O.lM HCl and O.lM NH4C1
II. 0.1M HCl and 0.2M NH3
III. 0.1M NH3 and O.lM NH4C1
A. I only
B. III only
C. II and III only
D. I, II and II

3. A certain buffer solution contains equal concentrations of X (aq) and HX(aq). The Kb value for X-(aq)
is 1.0 x 10-10. What is the pH of the buffer?
A. 1
B. 4
C. 5
D. 10

4. (a) State what is meant by the term buffer solution. [2]

(b) State and explain whether each of the following solutions will form a buffer solution

(i) A 1.0 dm 3 solution containing 0.10 mol NH3 and 0.20 mol HCl [2]

(ii) A 1.0 dm 3 solution [2]

containing 0.20 mol NH3 and 0.10
mol HCl
5. When a sample of 30 cm3 of 0.100 moldm-3 CH3COOH is placed in a beaker and mixed with 10 cm3
of 0.100 moldm-3 NaOH.

a) Explain, with the help of an equation, how the solution formed acts as a buffer solution when a small
quantity of acid is added to it. [3]

b) Calculate the pH of a buffer solution containing 0.0500 mol dm-3 of ethanoic acid
and 0.100 mol dm-3 of sodium ethanoate. (pKa = 4.76)

[3]

c) Calculate the pH of a mixture of 50 cm3 of ammonia solution of concentration 0.1 mol dm-3
and 50 cm3 of hydrochloric acid solution of concentration 0.050 mol dm−3. (pKb = 4.75)

[3]

6. What mass of sodium propanoate, Na+CH3CH2COO- , is required in 500 cm3 of a solution

of 0.200 moldm-3 propanoic acid to give a pH of 4.87? [3]

7. When 30cm3 of 0.100 moldm-3 CH3COOH is placed in a beaker and mixed with 10 cm of

0.100 moldm-3 NaOH. Calculate the pH of the buffer solution. (Ka of CH3COOH = 1.74xl0-5
 moldm-3)

[4]

8. A mixture of benzoic acid and sodium benzoate(C6H5CooNa) can act as a buffer solution.

Calculate the pH of a solution containing 7.2 g of sodium benzoate in 1.0 dm3 of

2.0x10-2 mol dm-3 benzoic acid. (Ka=6.3x10-5 mol dm-3) stating any assumptions that
you have made.

[6]

9. In a titration experiment, 40.0 cm3 of 0.150 mol dm -3 NaOH was added to 60.0 cm3 of
0.200 mol dm-3 CH3(CH2)3COOH (Ka = 1.38x 10 -5 mol dm-3). Calculate the pH of this
mixture.

[4]
 Topic 8 Acids and Bases 8.5

Salt Hydrolysis HLONLY

1. Which salt would form a neutral solution when dissolved in water?

A. FeCl3
B. Na2CO3
C. KBr

D. NH4NO3

2. Which salt, when dissolved in water to form a 1 0 mol dm−3 solution, produces the
lowest pH value?

A. Ammonium chloride

B. Ammonium ethanoate

C. Sodium ethanoate

D. Sodium chloride

3. Which solution, of concentration 0.1 mol dm-3 would have the highest pH value?

A HCl

B MgCl2

C NaCl

D AlCl 3

4. Which of the following salt solutions is the most alkaline?

A. sodium chloride

B. potassium carbonate

C. ammonium nitrate
 D lithium sulphate

5. (a) Explain why an aqueous sodium ethanoate solution is basic whereas an aqueous ammonium
ethanoate solution is approximately neutral.

[4]

(b) If the pH of water in a swimming pool goes above 8, aluminium sulfate, Al 2(SO4)3, is added
to it to adjust its pH. With the help of formulas and acid—base properties of the ions present,
explain how this is achieved.

[3]
 Topic 8 Acids and Bases 8.6

Titrations and Indicators HL ONLY

1. Which statement about indicators is always correct?

A. The mid-point of an indicator.s colour change is at pH = 7.

B. The pH range is greater for indicators with higher pKa values.

C. The colour red indicates an acidic solution.

D The pKa value of the indicator is within its pH range.

2. Which curve is produced by the titration of a 0.1 mol dm3 weak base with 0.1 mol dm'3 strong
acid?
3. The pH of a solution is 4.8. Using information from the Data Booklet, deduce
and explain the colours of the indicators bromophenol blue and phenol red in this solution.

[3]
 4. The indicator bromophenol blue, HIn (aq) has a form that is yellow and an In -(aq) form that is
blue.

(a) Write an equation to show how bromophenol blue acts as an indicator.

[1]

(b) State and explain the colour of bromophenol blue

[3]

(i) on the addition of a strong acid.

(ii) at the equivalence point of a titration.

5. Sodium hydroxide solution is added to aqueous hydrochloric acid. The graph of pH against
volume of sodium hydroxide solution added is shown below:

Sketch clearly labelled

corresponding graphs for each of the
following and suggest a suitable
indicator in each case:

(i) The addition of sodium hydroxide

solution to aqueous ethanoic acid. [3]

(ii) The addition of ammonia solution to aqueous hydrochloric acid. [3]

6. Benzoic acid is a weak acid.

The experimentally determined graph below shows the change in pH when 0.10 mol dm-3
aqueous sodium hydroxide is added to 25 cm3 of 0.10 mol dm-3 aqueous benzoic acid.

(a) Explain by reference to the Data Booklet why phenolphthalein is a suitable

indicator for this titration.

[2]

(b) Explain how an indicator works using

HIn H+ + In-
where HIn represents the formula of the indicator.

(d) The experiment was repeated using 25 cm3 of 0.10 mol dm-3
hydrochloric acid instead of benzoic acid.
(i) Sketch the graph you would expect from the results of this second experiment.

[3]
(ii) State and explain any similarities and differences between the two graphs.

[4