Chemistry 12

Chapter 4 – Acids, Bases Salts

Ka & Kb for Weak acids and Bases

Reminder: pH of SA’s

[H3O+]=[acid] strong means 100% ionized

so, to find pH of 0.100 M HCl [H3O+] = 0.100 M pH = 1.000

For weak acids [H3O+] << [acid]

Eg.) What is pH of 0.10 M HF?

Look at equilibrium for Weak Acid HF

HF(aq) + H2O(l)  H3O+(aq) + F- (aq)

Dissolve
d but not Pure liquid not included
ionized in Keq expression.

Keq = [H3O+][F-] for WA’s Keq is called Ka (acid ionization constant)

[ HF]

- see acid table for list of Ka’s.

higher Ka  stronger acid

lower Ka  weaker acid

For SA’s (eg. HCl) Ka = [H3O+] [Cl-] = called “very large!”

[HCl]

Essentially
zero molecular
HCl

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Chemistry 12
Chapter 4 – Acids, Bases Salts
Calculations Using Ka (Used for Weak Acids )

[H3O+] from Ka (or pH from Ka)

1. [H3O+] from Ka and Original concentration (Co)

eg.) Find the [H3O+] in 0.10 M HF

W
A
1. Write out equilibrium equation for ionization

HF + H2O  H3O+ + F-

2. Ice table
HF + H2O  H3O+ + F-
[I] 0.10 0 0
[C] -x +x +x
[E] 0.10 –x x x
In Chem. 12 with
3. Ka expression: Ka = [H3O ][F ] + - weak acids,
[HF] always use this
To avoid quadratic
assumption - Make
assume x is insignificant
Ka = (x) (x) sure you state it!
compared to 0.10 This
0.10 - x can be confirmed later.
4. Substitute Ka = x2
0.10 ( Assume 0.10 – x  0.10 )
You must
state this
5. Solve for x ([H3O+])
assumption
here!
Ka = x2 So x2 = 0.10 Ka
0.100
[H3O+] = x = 0.10 Ka Ka from
Acid
= 0.10 (3.5 x 10-4) Table

[H3O+] = 5.9 x 10-3 M

~ Check assumption (we see that this is quite small compared to 0.10)

Do ex. 74 & 75 Pg. 152

After Questions 74 & 75

Short cut for multiple choice Only!!

NOTE: In W.R.
questions, full solution
For WA [H3O+] = CoKa
must be shown
including the
“root” a “coka” Co is Original assumption!
(beer) (cola) Acid
Concentration

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Chemistry 12
Chapter 4 – Acids, Bases Salts

Eg.) Find pH of 2.0 M acetic acid (Multiple Choice Question)

1. First [H3O+] =CoKa

-5
= 2.0 (1.8 x 10 ) Ka from
Acid
[H3O+] = 6.0 x 10-3 M Table

2. Find pH = -log (6.0 x 10-3)

pH = 2.22
2 SD’s. The “2.0 M” was Try using this for a
2 SD’s and the Ka was 2 SA!!
SD’s

NOTE: Ions which act as acids can come from compounds.

Eg.) See table ~ ammonium ion NH4+

- can be found in NH4NO3, NH4Cl, NH4Br, etc….
ferric ( hexaaquoiron) Fe3+ ( Fe(H2O)63+) could be found in Fe(H2O)6 Br3 (also called
FeBr3)
or Fe(H2O)6 (NO3)3 (also called Fe(NO3)3 )

Aluminum (hexaaquoaluminum) Al3+ (Al(H2O)63+) could be found in Al(H2O)6Cl3 ( also called AlCl3 )

Do ex. 79 & 81, Pg. 152

NOTE: the pH is to 3 SD’s

More Ka Calculations: so your final answer cannot
have more than 3 SD’s.
Ka from pH

Eg.) a 0.350 M Solution of the weak acid HA has a pH of 1.620. Find the Ka of HA.

1. First convert pH to [H3O+]

[H3O+] = antilog (-pH)
= antilog (-1.620) This is the [H3O+]
[H3O+] = 2.399 x 10-2 M at equilibrium

2. Write out equilibrium equation for ionization. Make an ICE table:

HA + H2O  H3O+ + A-
[I] 0.350 0 0
[C]
[E] 2.399 x 10-2

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Chemistry 12
Chapter 4 – Acids, Bases Salts
Now, you can see that the change in concentration [C] of [H3O+] is + 2.399 x 10-2 M and using the
mole ratios (mole bridges) in the balanced equation, you can figure out the [C]’s for the A- and the
HA:
-2.399 x 10-2M + 2.399 x 10-2M + 2.399 x 10-2M
+
HA + H2O  H3O + A-
[I] 0.350 0 0
[C] - 2.399 x 10-2 + 2.399 x 10-2 + 2.399 x 10-2

[E] 2.399 x 10-2

Now, we can figure out the equilibrium concentrations of HA and A-. There are no “x”s in the
table so we don’t need to make any assumptions. It is best to use your calculator to figure out the
equilibrium [HA], because the [C] may or MAY NOT be insignificant. Using a calculator 0.350 –
2.339 x 10-2 = 0.32601. Don’t round it off too much here. I would keep it in a memory in my
calculator. BUT BECAUSE THE “0.350” IS 3 DECIMAL PLACES AND YOU ARE
SUBTRACTING, THE [E] OF “HA” CANNOT HAVE MORE THAN 3 DECIMAL PLACES
(although you should use 0.32601 in your calculator) JUST REMEMBER THAT IN THE NEXT
CALCULATION, THE 3 DECIMAL PLACES IN THE ICE TABLE TRANSLATES TO 3 SD’S,
SO YOUR FINAL ANSWER CANNOT HAVE MORE THAN 3 SD’S.

-2.399 x 10-2M + 2.399 x 10-2M + 2.399 x 10-2M

+
HA + H2O  H3O + A-
[I] 0.350 0 0
[C] - 2.399 x 10-2 + 2.399 x 10-2 + 2.399 x 10-2

[E] 0.326 2.399 x 10-2 2.399 x 10-2

3. Write Ka expression & substitute values.

Ka = [H3O+][A-] = (2.399 x 10-2) 2 = 1.7653 x 10-3 and expressing in 3SD’s, the answer is:
[HA] 0.326

Ka = 1.77 x 10-3

For those that want a short-cut for multiple choice:

Ka from [H3O+] :

Ka = [H3O+]2
( Co –[H3O+] ) OK for
multiple
Don’t choice
forget this ONLY!

Don’t rearrange [H3O+] = CoKa

Was derived using an
assumption which may
NOT be valid!

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Chemistry 12
Chapter 4 – Acids, Bases Salts
Do Ex. 77 & 80 on p. 152 SW

To Calculate Co ( conc. of acid needed) form pH & Ka

Eg. Find the concentration of HCOOH needed to form a solution with pH = 2.69

1. First change pH to [H3O+]

[H3O+] = antilog (-pH)
= antilog (-2.69)
[H3O ] = 2.0417 x 10-3 M (notice that the given pH limits us to 2SD’s, but keep more in your
+

calculations.)

2. Write out ionization equilibrium with an ICE TABLE. You can insert 2.0417 x 10-3 for equilibrium
[H3O+]. And since our unknown is the initial [HCOOH], we put in an “Co” for the [I] of HCOOH:

HCOOH + H2O  H3O+ + HCOO-

[I] Co 0 0
[C]
[E] 2.0417 x 10-3

Now we can see that the change in concentration [C] of [H3O+] is “ + 2.0417 x 10-3 ” and the [C] of
HCOO-
will be the same. The [C] of HCOOH will be “ - 2.0417 x 10-3 ”

HCOOH + H2O  H3O+ + HCOO-

[I] Co 0 0
[C] - 2.0417 x 10-3 + 2.0417 x + 2.0417 x
10-3 10-3
[E] 2.0417 x 10-3

We can now calculate the equilibrium concentrations [E] of HCOOH and HCOO-.

HCOOH + H2O  H3O+ + HCOO-

[I] Co 0 0
[C] - 2.0417 x 10-3 + 2.0417 x 10- + 2.0417 x 10-
3 3

[E] Co - 2.0417 x 10- 2.0417 x 10-3 2.0417 x 10-3

3

The next step will be to write the Ka expression and substitute the equilibrium concentrations in:

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Chemistry 12
Chapter 4 – Acids, Bases Salts

3. Write Ka expression. Substitute equilibrium concentrations in. Find Ka for HCOOH on the acid
table:
Find Ka on Acid
Ka = [H3O+] [HCOO-]
Table
[ HCOOH]

1.8 x 10-4 = (2.0417 x 10-3)2

( Co – 2.0417 x 10-3)

Now we can solve for Co (the original concentration of the acid):

Co- 2.0417 x 10-3 = (2.0417 x 10-3)2

1.8 x 10-4

Co – 2.0417 x 10-3 = 2.3159 x 10-2

Co = 2.3159 x 10-2 + 2.0417 x 10-3

Co = 2.52 x 10-2 M

Co = 2.5 x 10-2 M or 0.025 M (remember, we are restricted to 2 SD’s)

Do Ex. 76 & 78 on p. 152 of SW.

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Chemistry 12
Chapter 4 – Acids, Bases Salts
Now For Bases

Base ionization NH3  very common weak base. It partially ionizes in water to form NH4+ and
OH- :

NH3(aq) + H2O(l)  NH4+(aq) + OH-(aq)

Equilibrium constant – called base ionization constant (Kb)

NH3(aq) + H2O(l)  NH4+(aq) + OH-(aq)

Kb expression: Kb = [NH4+] [OH-]

[NH3]

NOTE: Ions can also act as a weak bases. The reaction of an ion with water to form OH- is called base
hydrolysis. Equilibrium constant is still called Kb.

Eg.) Hydrolysis of CN-

CN- (aq) + H2O(l)  HCN(aq) + OH-(aq)

Kb = [HCN][OH-]
Already [CN-] Kb
an ion expression

Ionization of N2H4 (weak base)

N2H4 (aq) + H2O (l)  N2H5+ (aq) + OH-(aq)

Kb = [N2H5+] [OH-] Kb
[N2H4] expression
A neutral
molecule

Do Ex 32 on p. 128 of SW.

How to Find Kb using Acid Table

(not shown directly)

Derivation
- Look at hydrolysis of base F-: F- + H2O  HF + OH-

Kb (F-) = [HF] [OH-]

[F-]
- Look at ionization the weak acid HF: HF + H2O  H3O+ + F-

Ka (HF) = [H3O+] [F-]

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Chemistry 12
Chapter 4 – Acids, Bases Salts
[HF]

- Multiply Ka[HF] x Kb[F-]

Conj. Conj.
Acid base

Ka[HF] x Kb[F-] = [H3O+] [F-] x [HF] [OH-] = [H3O+] [OH-] (notice that [HF] and [F-] will cancel.)
[HF] [F-]

or Ka(HF) x Kb(F-) = Kw

Ka(HF) x Kb(F-) = Kw

Or Kb(F-) = Kw
Ka(HF)

In general:

Kb(weak base) = Kw
Ka(it’s conj. acid)

Using Acid Table:

1. Find base on right side ( if amphiprotic -locate base on right side only)
2. It’s conjugate acid will be across from it on the left side.
3. The Ka of it’s conjugate acid is on the far right of the same line.
4. Use equation: Kb(base) = Kw
Ka(conj. acid)

Eg.) Calculate the Kb for HCO3- : ( find HCO3- on RIGHT SIDE)

Line: H2CO3  H+ + HCO3-………4.3 x 10-7

It’s conj.
acid Base Ka(it’s conj. acid)

Kb(HCO3-) = Kw = 1.0 x 10-14 = 2.3 x 10-8

Ka(H2CO3) 4.3 x 10-7

Find Kb of SO32-

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Chemistry 12
Chapter 4 – Acids, Bases Salts
Similarly : If Kb (base) given

Ka (weak acid) = Kw
Kb(it’s conj. Base)

Eg.) The Kb for base B- is 2.73 x 10-9

Find the Ka for the acid HB

3 sig. Digs.

Ka(HB) = Kw = 1.00 x 10-14 = 3.66 x 10-6

-
Kb(B ) 2.73 x 10-9

NOTES:
 Table only states Ka values. For questions like this Kb will have to be calculated if not given.
 All Ka’s on table are 2 SD’s—limits any calculation using them to 2 SD’s maximum.
 The larger the Kb, the “stronger ” the weak base - the more OH- produced.
 The smaller the Ka of an acid, the larger the Kb of its conjugate Base. (Weaker acids have
stronger
conjugate bases)

Calculations Involving Kb

Given: Find or find or find

[Base] & Kb  [OH-]  pOH  pH

eg.) Find [OH-] is a 0.20 M solution of KNO2 (this is a salt, so it must be dissociated into it’s ions first)

Dissociation of KNO2  K+ + NO2-

1. Find Kb of NO2-
Neutral Weak base Kb(NO2-) = Kw
Ka(HNO2)
spectato = 1.0 x 10-14
r 4.6 x 10-4
(discard Kb(NO2) = 2.174 x 10-11
)
2. Hydrolysis ( if ion) or ionization ( if molecule) equation followed by an ICE table:

NO2- + H2O  HNO2 + OH-

[I] 0.20 0 0
[C]
[E]

We can let “x” equal the moles/L of NO2- which hydrolyze as the reaction reaches equilibrium.
Using the mole ratios in the equation and calculating [E]’s we get:

NO2- + H2O  HNO2 + OH-

[I] 0.20 0 0
[C] -x +x +x

[E] 0.20 - x x x

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Chemistry 12
Chapter 4 – Acids, Bases Salts

3. Kb Expression:

Kb = [HNO2] [OH-] at equilibrium

[NO2-]

On the next page, we substitute the [E]’s into the Kb expression (Don’t forget, we are in
“baseland” not “acidland” now!)

Substitute: Kb = [HNO2] [OH-] or Kb = x2

[NO2-] (0.20 - x)

Assume that
Original 0.20 – x 
conc. of 0.20
Approximation: NO2- (Co)

Kb  x2
0.20

x2 = 0.20 Kb
0.20 Kb
[OH-] =
-11
[OH-] = 0.20 (2.174 x 10 )

[OH-] = 2.085 x 10-6 M

[OH-] = 2.1 x 10-6 M Both the 0.20 M and the Ka used in calculating Kb limit us to 2 SD’s.

NOTE: In many problems, finding [OH-] is only the first step. Often you have to find the pH. Then you
would use the process [OH-]  pOH  pH

Kb From pH and Concentration

Eg.) At a certain temp, a 0.20 M solution of K2SO3 has a pH of 10.25. Calculate the Kb of SO32- at this
temp.

1. Identify SO32- as a weak base (When K2SO3 is dissociated, it yields K+(a spectator) and SO32- )

2. [OH-] can be obtained from pH (pH  pOH  [OH-] )

pH = 10.25 so pOH = 14.00 – 10.25 = 3.75

[OH-] = antilog (-pOH) = antilog (-3.75) = 1.778 x 10-4 M

3. Write hydrolysis equation and an ICE table. (It is called hydrolysis this time because SO32- is an ion.)
We know the initial [SO32- ] is 0.20M and the equilibrium [OH-] is 1.778 x 10-4 M:

SO32- + H2O  HSO3 + OH-

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Chemistry 12
Chapter 4 – Acids, Bases Salts
[I] 0.20 0 0
[C]
[E] 1.778 x 10-4

So, from this, the change in conc. [C] of OH- is “+ 1.778 x 10-4 ” and using the coefficient ratios we can insert
the [C]’s for the other species and calculate the equilibrium concentrations [E]’s:

SO32- + H2O  HSO3 + OH-

[I] 0.20 0 0
[C] - 1.778 x 10-4 + 1.778 x 10-4 + 1.778 x 10-4
[E] 0.1998 1.778 x 10-4 1.778 x 10-4

4. Now we write the Kb expression and substitute the values from the [E]’s in our ICE table:

Kb = [HSO3-] [OH-] = ( 1.778 x 10-4)2 = 1.5825 x 10-7

[SO32-] (0.199822)
We round it to 1.6 x 10-7 because
the 0.20M and the pH given both
had 2 SD’s
So:

Kb of SO32- at the temperature given is = 1.6 x 10-7

Short Cut for Multiple Choice:
Kb = [OH-]2
(CO – [OH-])
Like Weak acids:
Ka = [H3O+]2
(Co – [H3O+])

Rd. pg. 128 – 129 & 152-153

Do Ex. 84, 87, 88,& 89 on p. 153 of SW

- Do worksheet on Ka, Kb calculations

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