BC Science Chemistry 12

Chapter 5 – Applications of Acid-Base Reactions Answer Key

September 20, 2012

Section 5.1 Hydrolysis of Salts – The Reactions of Ions with Water

Warm Up
1. (a) A 0.050 M KNO3 solution exists in the reaction vessel.

(b) The potassium ion is not on the Table and the nitrate ion is located near the top right corner
of the Table. Because the nitrate ion is the conjugate base of a strong acid, it cannot accept
protons from water. As neither ion is likely to react with water, we would predict that the pH of
this salt solution will be approximately 7.

2. (a) A 0.050 M NaCH3COO solution exists in the reaction vessel.

(b) The sodium ion is not located on the Table, but the acetate ion is located on the right side
of the middle portion of the Table. The acetate ion is the conjugate base of a weak acid and
therefore functions as a weak base in water. As a result, we would predict that the pH of this
salt solution will be above 7.

Quick Check
1. Circle the ions in the following list that represent cations of strong bases.

Al3+ Rb+ Fe3+ Cr3+ Ca2+ Sn4+ Cs+ Ba2+

2. Circle the ions in the following list that represent the conjugate bases of strong acids.

F- ClO2- ClO4- SO42- Cl- NO2- CH3COO- CN- NO3-

3. Circle the following salts whose ions will not hydrolyze when dissociated in water.

NH4Cl Na2CO3 RbClO4 Li2SO3 BaI2 NH4HCOO KIO3 CsF CaBr2

Quick Check 1. Which of the following salts contain the anion of a weak acid?
NH4Cl NaClO4 Fe(CH3COO)3 KF LiCl

Al(NO3)3 NH4HSO4 Pb(NO2)2 NH4I Ba(CN)2

2. Which of the following salts will produce a basic aqueous solution due to anionic hydrolysis?
AlBr3 Ca(HCOO)2 RbClO4 SrCO3 Mg(CN)2

© Edvantage Interactive 2012-09-20 1

 NaCH3COO Cr(NO3)3 LiC6H5COO FeI3 K3PO4

Practice Problems
1. K2CO3 > RbCN > Na2SO3 > Na2C2O4 > LiF > KNO2

2. [Na2CO3]dil = (0.50 M) (200.0 mL) = 0.20 M Na2CO3(s)  2Na+(aq) + CO32-(aq)

(500.0 mL) 0.20 M 0.40 M 0.20 M
Na+ will not hydrolyze, but CO32- is a weak base and will thus accept protons from water
according to following equilibrium: CO32- + H2O HCO3- + OH-
-
Let x = [OH ]eq
CO32- + H2O HCO3- + OH-
I 0.20 0 0
C -x +x +x
E 0.20 - x x x
Assume 0.20 – x ≈ 0.20
Kb for CO32- = Kw = 1.0 x 10-14 = 1.79 x 10-4
Ka for HCO3 5.6 x 10-11
-

________________
- - 2 -4
Kb = [HCO3 ] [OH ] = x = 1.79 x 10 x = √ (1.79 x 10-4) (0.20)
[CO32-] 0.20
x = 5.98 x 10-3 M pOH = - log (5.98 x 10-3) = 2.223 pH = 14.000 - 2.223 = 11.78
(2 sig. digits)

3. NaHCOO(s)  Na+(aq) + HCOO-(aq)

Na+ will not hydrolyze, but HCOO- is a weak base and will thus accept protons from water
according to the following equilibrium: HCOO- + H2O HCOOH + OH-
pOH = 14.00 – 9.20 = 4.80 so [OH]eq = 10-4.80 = 1.58 x 10-5 M
Let x = [HCOO-]initial = [NaHCOO]
HCOO- + H2 O HCOOH + OH-
I x 0 0
C - 1.58 x 10-5 + 1.58 x 10-5 + 1.58 x 10-5
E x - 1.58 x 10-5 1.58 x 10-5 1.58 x 10-5
Kb for HCOO- = Kw = 1.0 x 10-14 = 5.56 x 10-11
Ka for HCOOH 1.8 x 10-4
Kb = [HCOOH] [OH-] = (1.58 x 10-5) 2 = 5.56 x 10-11
[HCOO-] (x - 1.58 x 10-5)

© Edvantage Interactive 2012-09-20 2

x - 1.58 x 10-5 = (1.58 x 10-5) 2 x = [HCOO-]initial = [NaHCOO] = 4.5 M
5.56 x 10-11 (2 sig. digits)

Quick Check
1.
(a) CH3NH3+(aq) + H2O(l) CH3NH2(aq) + H3O+(aq)
Ka = [CH3NH2] [H3O+]
[CH3NH3+]

(b) C3H7NH3+(aq) + H2O(l) C3H7NH2(aq) + H3O+(aq)

Ka = [C3H7NH2] [H3O+]
[C3H7NH3+]

(c) (CH3)3NH+(aq) + H2O(l) (CH3)3 N(aq) + H3O+(aq)

Ka = [(CH3)3 N] [H3O+]
[(CH3)3NH+]

2.
(a) Ka for CH3NH3+ = Kw = 1.0 x 10-14 = 2.3 x 10-11
Kb for CH3NH2 4.4 x 10-10
(b) Ka for C3H7NH3+ = Kw = 1.0 x 10-14 = 2.9 x 10-11
Kb for C3H7NH2 3.5 x 10-4
(c) Ka for (CH3)3NH+ = Kw = 1.0 x 10-14 = 1.6 x 10-10
Kb for (CH3)3N 6.3 x 10-5

Practice Problems

1.
16.0 g NH4NO3 x 1 mol = 0.400 M NH4NO3
0.5000 L 80.0 g
NH4NO3(s)  NH4+(aq) + NO3-(aq)
NO3- will not hydrolyze, but NH4+ is a weak acid and will thus donate protons to water according
to the following equilibrium: NH4+ + H2O NH3 + H3O+
+
Let x = [H3O ]eq
NH4+ + H2O NH3 + H3O+
I 0.400 0 0
C -x +x +x
E 0.400 - x x x
Assume 0.400 – x ≈ 0.400
_______________________

© Edvantage Interactive 2012-09-20 3

Ka = [NH3] [H3O+] = x2 = 5.6 x 10-10 x = √(5.6 x 10-10)(0.400) = 1.50 x 10-5 M
+
[NH4 ] 0.400
pH = -log (1.50 x 10-5) = 4.82 (2 sig digits)

2. N2H5Cl(s)  N2H5+(aq) + Cl-(aq)

Cl- will not hydrolyze, but N2H5+ is a weak acid and will thus donate protons to water according
to the following equilibrium: N2 H5 + + H2 O N2 H4 + H3 O+
[H3O+]eq = 10-4.266 = 5.420 x 10-5 M
N2 H5 + + H2 O N2 H4 + H3 O+
I 0.50 0 0
C - 5.420 x 10-5 + 5.420 x 10 -5
+ 5.420 x 10-5
-5
E ≈ 0.50 5.420 x 10 5.420 x 10-5
Ka = [N2H4] [H3O+] = (5.420 x 10-5)2 = 5.9 x 10-9 (2 sig digits)
[N2H5+] 0.50
(Ka for N2H5+) (Kb for N2H4) = (5.9 x 10-9) (1.7 x 10-6) = 1.0 x 10-14 (Answer checks)

3. C5H5NHCl(s)  C5H5NH+(aq) + Cl-(aq)

Cl- will not hydrolyze, but C5H5NH+ (pyridinium) is a weak acid and will thus donate protons to
water according to the following equilibrium: C5H5NH+ + H2O C5H5N + H3O+
pH = 3.00 so [H3O+]eq = 10-3.00 = 0.00100 M
Let x = [C5H5NH+]initial = [C5H5NHCl]
C5H5NH+ + H2O C5H5N + H3 O+
I x 0 0
C - 0.00100 + 0.00100 + 0.00100
E x - 0.00100 0.00100 0.00100
Ka = [C5H5N] [H3O+] = (0.00100)2 = 2.13 x 10-6 so x - 0.00100 = (0.00100)2
[C5H5NH+] (x - 0.00100) 2.13 x 10-6
x = [C5H5NH+]initial = [C5H5NHCl] = 0.470 M
0.470 mol C5H5NHCl x 115.5 g x 0.250 L = 14 g (2 sig. digits)
L mol

Quick Check
1. Circle the following salts that will produce acidic aqueous solutions.
NaNO2 NH4I CaBr2 CrCl3 Sr(CN)2 RbCH3COO Fe(NO3)3 Li2SO3

© Edvantage Interactive 2012-09-20 4

2.
(a). Sn(H2O)42+(aq) + H2O(l) Sn(H2O)3(OH) +(aq) + H3O+(aq)
(b) Cu(H2O)42+(aq) + H2O(l) Cu(H2O)3(OH) +(aq) + H3O+(aq)
(c) Fe(H2O)63+(aq) + H2O(l) Fe(H2O)5(OH)2+(aq) + H3O+(aq)

Practice Problems
1.
Fe(NO3)3(s)  Fe3+(aq) + 3NO3-(aq)
NO3- will not hydrolyze, but the hydrated Fe3+ is a weak acid and will thus donate protons to
water according to the following equilibrium:
Fe(H2O)63+ + H2O Fe(H2O)5(OH)2+ + H3O+
+
Let x = [H3O ]eq
Fe(H2O)63+ + H2O Fe(H2O)5(OH)2+ + H3O+
I 6.0 0 0
C -x +x +x
E 6.0 - x x x
Assume 6.0 – x ≈ 6.0
____________________
Ka = [Fe(H2O)5(OH)2+] [H3O+] = x2 = 6.0 x 10-3 x = √(6.0 x 10-3)(6.0) = 0.190 M
[Fe(H2O)63+] 6.0
pH = -log (0.190) = 0.72 (2 sig digits)

2. AlBr3(s)  Al3+(aq) + 3Br-(aq)

Br- will not hydrolyze, but the hydrated Al3+ is a weak acid and will thus donate protons to water
according to the following equilibrium: Al(H2O)63+ + H2O Al(H2O)5(OH)2+ + H3O+
pH = 3.25 so [H3O+] = 10-3.25 = 5.62 x 10-4 M
Let x = [Al(H2O)63+]initial = [AlBr3]
Al(H2O)63+ + H2O Al(H2O)5(OH)2+ + H3O+
I x 0 0
C - 5.62 x 10-4 + 5.62 x 10-4 +5.62 x 10-4
E x - 5.62 x 10-4 5.62 x 10-4 5.62 x 10-4
Ka = [Al(H2O)5(OH)2+] [H3O+] = (5.62 x 10-4)2 = 1.4 x 10-5
[Al(H2O)63+] (x - 5.62 x 10-4)
x - 5.62 x 10-4 = (5.62 x 10-4)2 x = 0.023 M (2 sig. digits)
1.4 x 10-5

© Edvantage Interactive 2012-09-20 5

3. BeI2(s)  Be2+(aq) + 2I-(aq)
I- will not hydrolyze, but the hydrated Be2+ is a weak acid and will thus donate protons to water
according to the following equilibrium: Be(H2O)42+ + H2O Be(H2O)3(OH)+ + H3O+
Let x = [H3O+]eq
Be(H2O)42+ + H2O Be(H2O)3(OH)+ + H3 O+
I 0.400 0 0
C -x +x +x
E 0.400 - x x x
Assume 0.400 – x ≈ 0.400
Ka = [Be(H2O)3(OH)+] [H3O+] = x2 = 3.2 x 10-7
[Be(H2O)42+] 0.400
_______________________
x = √(3.2 x 10-7)(0.400) = 3.58 x 10-4 M pH = -log (3.58 x 10-4) = 3.45 (2 sig digits)

Quick Check
1. Which of the following salts will dissociate into ions that will both react with water?
KI NH4NO2 Fe(CN)3 Sn(NO3)2 Rb2C2O4 CrBr3 NaCH3COO AlF3

2.
NH4+(aq) + H2O(l) NH3(aq) + H3O+(aq)
F-(aq) + H2O(l) HF(aq) + OH-(aq)

3.
Ka for NH4+ = 5.6 x 10-10
Kb for F- = Kw = 1.0 x 10-14 = 2.9 x 10-11
Ka for HF 3.5 x 10-4
As the Ka for NH4+ is greater than the Kb for F-, the hydrolysis of the ammonium ion will
occur to a greater extent than the hydrolysis of the fluoride ion.

Practice Problems
1.
Ka for NH4+ = 5.6 x 10-10
Kb for CH3COO - = Kw = 1.0 x 10-14 = 5.6 x 10-10
Ka for CH3COOH 1.8 x 10-5
As the Ka for NH4+ is equal to the Kb for CH3COO-, each hydrolysis reaction will occur to the
same extent and so the approximate pH of the solution will be 7.

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2.
NH4+(aq) + H2O(l) NH3(aq) + H3O+(aq)
PO43-(aq) + H2O(l) HPO4-(aq) + OH-(aq)
Ka for NH4+ = 5.6 x 10-10 Kb for PO43- = Kw = 1.0 x 10-14 = 0.045
-
Ka for HPO4 2.2 x 10-13
As the Kb for PO43- is much greater than the Ka for NH4+, the anionic hydrolysis reaction will
occur to a far greater extent and so the solution will be basic.

3. (NH4)2CO3 > NaNO2 > Al(CH3COO)3 > FeCl3

Practice Problems
1.
K2HPO4(s)  2K+(aq) + HPO42-(aq)
K+ will not hydrolyze, but HPO2- is an amphiprotic ion and will thus both donate protons to and
accept protons from water according to the following equilibria:
HPO42- + H2O PO43- + H3O+
HPO42-(aq) + H2O(l) H2PO4-(aq) + OH-(aq)
Ka for HPO42- = 2.2 x 10-13 Kb for HPO42- = Kw = 1.0 x 10-14 = 1.6 x 10-7
-
Ka for H2PO4 6.2 x 10-8
As the Kb for HPO42- is greater than its Ka, the hydrolysis reaction involving the production of
hydroxide ions will occur to a greater extent and so the solution will be basic.

2. KHSO4 < NaHSO3 < LiHCO3

3. No calculations are required to determine if an aqueous solution of KHSO4 will be acidic or

basic because the bisulphate anion is the conjugate base of a strong acid. This means that the ion
cannot accept protons from water and thus can only act as a weak acid. Therefore, an aqueous
solution of KHSO4 will be acidic.

© Edvantage Interactive 2012-09-20 7

5.1 Activity
(a) NaHSO4 (pH ≤ 3)
(b) K3PO4 (pH ≥ 11)
(c) NH4NO3 (pH = 5.1)
(d) Na2C2O4 (pH = 8.6)

(a) (NH4)2CO3 (pH = 8.5)

(b) Fe2(SO4)3 (pH = 3.8)
(c) (NH4)2C2O4 (pH = 6.5)

(a) KH2PO4 (pH = 5.5)

(b) NaHSO3 (pH = 4.0)
(c) KHCO3 (pH = 9.0)

NaHSO4 NH4NO3 Na2C2O4 K3PO4

Fe2(SO4)3 (NH4)2C2O4 (NH4)2CO3
KH2PO4 KHCO3
NaHSO3

5.1 Review Questions

1. Placing a few drops of universal indicator solution into each of the three beakers will identify
the solutes.
The Al(NO3)3 solution will be acidic because the hydrated Al3+ ion is a weak acid and the NO3-
ion will not hydrolyze. Therefore, universal indicator will appear dark orange or red in this
solution.
The Ca(NO3)2 solution will be neutral because neither ion will hydrolyze. Therefore, universal
indicator solution will appear light green in this solution.
The K3PO4 solution will be basic because the PO43- ion is a relatively strong weak base and the
K+ will not hydrolyze. Therefore, universal indicator will appear purple in this solution.

© Edvantage Interactive 2012-09-20 8

2.
Salt Formula Ion(s) Which Result for Aqueous Equation(s) for Hydrolysis Reaction(s)
Hydrolyze(s) Solution (if any)
(Acidic, Basic, or Neutral)

NH4+ + H 2O NH3 + H 3O +
(NH4)2SO3 both basic as Kb > Ka
SO32- + H 2O HSO3- + OH-

Al(H2O)63+ + H2O Al(H2O)5(OH)2+ + H3O+

Al(IO3)3 both acidic as Ka > Kb
IO3- + H 2O HIO3 + OH-

RbF F- basic F- + H 2O HF + OH-

SrI2 neither neutral N/A

HC2O4- + H2O C2O42- + H3O3+

KHC2O4 HC2O4- acidic as Ka > Kb
HC2O4- + H2O H2C2O4 + OH-

Fe(H2O)63+ + H2O Fe(H2O)5(OH)2+ + H3O+

Fe2(SO4)3 both acidic as Ka > Kb
SO42- + H 2O HSO4- + OH-

3.
(a) CH3COOH(aq) + KOH(aq)  KCH3COO(aq) + H2O(l)
(b) The salt solution that exists in the reaction vessel is 0.25 M KCH3COO

(c) KCH3COO(s)  K+(aq) + CH3COO-(aq)

K+ will not hydrolyze, but CH3COO- is a weak base and will thus accept protons from water
according to the following equilibrium: CH3COO- + H2O CH3COOH + OH-
-
Let x = [OH ]eq
CH3COO- + H2O CH3COOH + OH-
I 0.25 0 0
C -x +x +x
E 0.25 - x x x
Assume 0.25 – x ≈ 0.25
Kb for CH3COO- = Kw = 1.0 x 10-14 = 5.56 x 10-10
Ka for CH3COOH 1.8 x 10-5
_________________________
Kb = [CH3COOH-] [OH-] = x2 = 5.56 x 10-10 x = √ (5.56 x 10-10) (0.25)
[CH3COO-] 0.25

© Edvantage Interactive 2012-09-20 9

x = 1.18 x 10-5 M pOH = - log (1.18 x 10-5) = 4.928 pH = 14.000 - 4.928 = 9.07
(2 sig. digits)

4.
25.2 g Na2SO3 x 1 mol = 0.3996 M Na2SO3(s)  2Na+(aq) + SO32-(aq)
0.5000 L 126.1 g 0.3996 M 0.7994 M 0.3996 M
Na+ will not hydrolyze, but SO32- is a weak base and will thus accept protons from water
according to the following equilibrium: SO32- + H2O HSO3- + OH-
Let x = [OH-]eq
SO32- + H2O HSO3- + OH-
I 0.3996 0 0
C -x +x +x
E 0.3996 - x x x
Assume 0.3996 – x ≈ 0.3996
Kb for SO32- = Kw = 1.0 x 10-14 = 1.0 x 10-7
-
Ka for HSO3 1.0 x 10-7
_________________________
Kb = [HSO3-] [OH-] = x2 = 1.0 x 10-7 x = √ (1.0 x 10-7) (0.3996)
[SO32-] 0.3996
x = 1.999 x 10-4 M pOH = - log (1.999 x 10-4) = 3.6992
pH = 14.000 - 3.6992 = 10.30 (2 sig. digits)

5. The Cl- ion will not hydrolyze, but the hydrated Cu2+ ion is a weak acid and will thus donate
protons to water according to the following equilibrium:
Cu(H2O)42+ + H2O Cu(H2O)3(OH)+ + H3O+
pH = 5.00 so [H3O+] = 10-5.00 = 1.00 x 10-5 M
Let x = [Cu(H2O)42+]initial = [CuCl2 · 2H2O]
Cu(H2O)42+ + H2O Cu(H2O)3(OH)+ + H3O+
I x 0 0
C - 1.00 x 10-5 + 1.00 x 10 -5
+1.00 x 10-5
E x - 1.00 x 10-5 1.00 x 10-5 1.00 x 10-5
Ka = [Cu(H2O)3(OH)+] [H3O+] = (1.00 x 10-5)2 = 1.0 x 10-8
[Cu(H2O)42+] (x - 1.00 x 10-5)
x – 1.00 x 10-5 = (1.00 x 10-5)2 = 0.0100
1.00 x 10-8
x = [Cu(H2O)42+]initial = [CuCl2 · 2H2O] = 0.0100 M
0.0100 mol CuCl2 · 2H2O x 170.5 g x 0.250 L = 0.43 g (2 sig. digits)
L mol

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6. NaCN(s)  Na+(aq) + CN-(aq)
Na+ will not hydrolyze, but CN- is a weak base and will thus accept protons from water
according to the following equilibrium: CN- + H2O HCN + OH-
pOH = 14.00 – 9.50 = 4.50 so [OH]eq = 10-4.50 = 3.16 x 10-5 M
Let x = [CN-]initial = [NaCN]
CN- + H2 O HCN + OH-
I x 0 0
C - 3.16 x 10-5 + 3.16 x 10 -5
+ 3.16 x 10-5
E x - 3.16 x 10-5 3.16 x 10-5 3.16 x 10-5
Kb for CN- = Kw = 1.0 x 10-14 = 2.04 x 10-5
Ka for HCN 4.9 x 10-10
Kb = [HCN] [OH-] = (3.16 x 10-5) 2 = 2.04 x 10-5
[CN-] (x - 3.16 x 10-5)
x - 3.16 x 10-5 = (3.16 x 10-5)2 x = [CN-]initial = [NaCN] = 8.05 x 10-5 M
2.04 x 10-5
8.05 x 10-5 mol NaCN x 49.0 g x 0.3000 L = 0.0012 g (2 sig. digits)
L mol

7. NH4ClO4(s)  NH4(aq) + ClO4-(aq)

ClO4- will not hydrolyze, but NH4+ is a weak acid and will thus donate protons to water
according to the following equilibrium: NH4+ + H2O NH3 + H3O+
470 g NH4ClO4 x 1 mol = 0.800 M
5.0 L 117.5 g
let x = [H3O+]eq
NH4+ + H2O NH3 + H3 O+
I 0.800 0 0
C -x +x +x
E 0.800 - x x x
Assume 0.800 – x ≈ 0.800
Ka = [NH3] [H3O+] = x2 = 5.6 x 10-10 x = √(5.6 x 10-10)(0.800) = 2.12 x 10-5 M
[NH4+] 0.800
pH = -log (2.12 x 10-5) = 4.67 (2 sig digits)

8.
NaHSO4 < FeCl3 < Cr(NO3)3 < NH4Br < RbI < KCN < Li2CO3 < Na3PO4

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9. (a) KNO2(s)  K+(aq) + NO2-(aq)
K+ will not hydrolyze, but NO2- is a weak base and will thus accept protons from water
according to the following equilibrium: NO2- + H2O HNO2 + OH-
pOH = 14.00 – 8.50 = 5.50 so [OH]eq = 10-5.50 = 3.16 x 10-6 M
Let x = [NO2-]initial = [KNO2]
NO2- + H2 O HNO2 + OH-
I x 0 0
C - 3.16 x 10-6 + 3.16 x 10 -6
+ 3.16 x 10-6
E ≈x 3.16 x 10-6 3.16 x 10-6
Kb for NO2- = Kw = 1.0 x 10-14 = 2.17 x 10-11
Ka for HNO2 4.6 x 10-4
Kb = [HNO2] [OH-] = (3.16 x 10-6)2 = 2.17 x 10-11
[NO2-] x
x = (3.16 x 10-6) 2 x = [NO2-]initial = [KNO2] = 0.460 M
2.17 x 10-11
0.460 mol KNO2 x 85.1 g x 0.350 L = 14 g (2 sig. digits)
L mol

(b) The pH of the solution will increase as evaporation proceeds because the concentration of
the basic anion is increasing.

10. N2H5Cl(s)  N2H5+(aq) + Cl-(aq)

Cl- will not hydrolyze, but N2H5+ is a weak acid and will thus donate protons to water according
to the following equilibrium: N 2 H5 + + H2 O N2 H4 + H3 O+
Let x = [H3O+]initial
N2 H5 + + H2 O N2 H4 + H3 O+
I 0.500 0 0
C -x + +
E 0.500 - x x x
Assume 0.500 – x ≈ 0.500
Ka for N2H5+ = Kw = 1.0 x 10-14 = 5.88 x 10-9
Kb for N2H4 1.7 x 10-6
Ka = [N2H4] [H3O+] = x2 = 5.88 x 10-9
[N2H5+] 0.500
________________
x = √(5.88 x 10-9) (0.500) = 5.42 x 10-5 M pH = -log (5.42 x 10-5) = 4.27
(2 sig digits)

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Section 5.2 The Chemistry of Buffers

Warm Up
1.
Let x = [H3O+]eq
CH3 COOH + H2O CH3 COO- + H3 O+
I 0.10 0 0
C -x +x +x
E 0.10 - x x x
Assume 0.10 – x ≈ 0.10
Ka = [CH3COO-] [H3O+] = x2 = 1.8 x 10-5
[CH3COOH] 0.10
_________________
x = √ (1.8 x 10-5) (0.10) = 0.00134 M
pH = - log (0.00134) = 2.87 (2 sig. digits)

2. Percent ionization = [H3O+]eq x 100 %

[HA]initial

= 0.00134 x 100 % = 1.3 % (2 sig. digits)

0.10

3.
(a) The equilibrium described in question #1 above would shift to the left if 0.10 mole of
NaCH3COO is added to the solution.
(b) This is called the common ion effect.
(c) Because the equilibrium shifts to the left, the hydronium concentration will decrease and
the pH will increase. Therefore, the percent ionization will decrease.
(d) Following the addition of NaCH3COO, the two predominate chemical species in the solution
participating in the equilibrium are CH3COOH and CH3COO-. Because they are members of a
conjugate acid-base pair, they cannot react with each other.

Quick Check
1. Equal concentrations of a weak acid and its conjugate base allow the buffer to resist changes
to its pH equally well following the addition of relatively small amounts of both strong acid and
strong base.

© Edvantage Interactive 2012-09-20 13

2. In a buffer containing HA and A-, the conjugate base, A-, will react to neutralize added acid.
As a result, following the addition of a small amount of strong acid to a buffer solution, the
[HA]/[A-] ratio will increase, the [H3O+] will increase slightly, and the pH will decrease
slightly.

3. Circle the following pairs of chemical species that could be used to prepare a buffer solution:
HNO3 and NaNO3 KF and HF HNO2 and HNO3 HCOOH and LiHCOO
NaHSO4 and Na2SO4 K2CO3 and K2C2O4 HCl and NaCl KH2PO4 and K2HPO4

Practice Problems
1.
(a) Following the addition of a small amount of strong base to a buffer solution, the [HA]/[A-]
decreases, the [H3O+] decreases slightly, and the pH increases slightly.

(b) HNO2(aq) + OH-(aq)  NO2-(aq) + OH-(aq)

(c) Following the addition of this strong base, the [HNO2]/[NO2-] ratio will decrease, the [H3O+]
will decrease slightly, and the pH of this solution will increase slightly.

2.
(a) In 1.0 L of the diluted buffer solution, only 0.10 moles of HNO2 and NO2- are available to
neutralize added H3O+ and OH-. However, in the undiluted solution, 1.0 mol of each of these
buffer components is available.
(b) Because only 0.10 mole of NO2- is available to neutralize added acid, the addition of 0.11
mol of strong acid will exceed the diluted buffer’s capacity to neutralize acid by 0.01 moles and
thus result in the pH of the diluted buffer decreasing significantly. The undiluted buffer,
however, has 1.0 mole of NO2- available and can easily neutralize the added acid. The pH of the
undiluted buffer solution will therefore not drop appreciably.

3.
(a) The combination of 0.10 M HI and 0.10 M NaI does not qualify as a buffer because
although the HI is capable of neutralizing added base, the iodide ion is the conjugate base of a
strong acid. This means that I- cannot neutralize added acid because it cannot accept protons.
b) The combination of 0.50 M NaF and 0.50 M NaCN does not qualify as a buffer because
although sufficient quantities of weak base (F- and CN-) are available to neutralize added acid, no
weak acid is present in the solution. This means that the solution has no ability to neutralize
added base.
c) The combination of 1.0 M K2C2O4 / 1.0 M KHC2O4 does qualify as a buffer because this
solution has appreciable (and in this case equal) quantities of both a weak acid (HC2O4-) and its
conjugate base (C2O42-). Therefore, both added acid and base can be neutralized by this solution.

© Edvantage Interactive 2012-09-20 14

d) The combination of 0.20 M HF and 0.20 M HCN does not qualify as a buffer because
although sufficient quantities of weak acid (HF and HCN) are available to neutralize added base,
no weak base is present in the solution. This means that the solution has no ability to neutralize
added acid.

Practice Problems
1. Each of the following solutions contains a weak base. What compounds (in what
concentrations ideally) would make each a buffer solution?

Weak Base Added Compound

a) 1.0 M CH3NH2 1.0 M CH3NH3Cl
b) 0.80 M N2H4 0.80 M N2H5NO3
c) 0.20 M (CH3)2NH 0.20 M (CH3)2NH2Br
(Note that in the above table, the anions present in the added compounds are the conjugate bases
of strong acids. This ensures their role as spectator ions in the solution.)

2. Write the six net ionic equations representing the reactions occurring when a small amount of
strong acid and also a small amount of strong base are added to each of the above basic buffer
solutions.
Net Ionic Equation When Acid Added Net Ionic Equation When Base Added
a) + +
CH3NH2(aq) + H3O (aq)  CH3NH3 (aq) + H2O(l) a) CH3NH3+(aq) + OH-(aq)  CH3NH2(aq) + H2O(l)
b) + +
N2H4(aq) + H3O (aq)  N2H5 (aq) + H2O(l) b) N2H5+(aq) + OH-(aq)  N2H4(aq) + H2O(l)
c) (CH3)2NH(aq) + H3O+(aq)  (CH3)2NH+(aq) + H2O(l) c) (CH3)2NH+(aq) + OH-(aq)  (CH3)2NH(aq) + H2O(l)

Practice Problems
1. The four buffer solutions ranked in order from lowest to highest capacity are:
b < d < a < c

2. Because the [A-]/[HA] ratio should be no less than 0.1 and no more than 10 for a buffer to be
effective, the Henderson-Hasselbalch equation shows us that buffers have a usable range
within ± 1 pH unit of the pKa of the acid component as shown by the following:
pH = pKa + log [A- ]
[HA]

pH = pKa + log 1 = pKa - 1 and pH = pKa + log 10 = pKa + 1

10 1
Buffer pH range = pKa ± 1

© Edvantage Interactive 2012-09-20 15

3.
Desired pH Weak Acid Weak Acid pKa Salt of Conjugate Base
4.00 benzoic 4.19 NaC6H5COO
7.00 bisulfphite ion 7.00 Na2SO3
10.00 phenol 9.89 NaC6H5O

Practice Problems
1.
(a) HPO42-(aq) + H3O+(aq)  H2PO4-(aq) + H2O(l)
(b) H2PO4-(aq) + OH-(aq)  HPO42-(aq) + H2O(l)

2.
(a) If the concentration of dissolved carbon dioxide in the blood is too low, the above
equilibrium will shift to the left and so the concentration of hydrogen (hydronium) ions in the
blood will drop. This will raise the blood pH level.
(If the blood pH level gets too high, the [HBO2-] will get too high to allow for adequate release
of molecular oxygen from hemoglobin. This condition is called alkalosis.)
(b) Breathing into a paper bag means that exhaled breath containing CO2 in continually re-
inhaled. This raises the concentration of dissolved carbon dioxide in the blood which shifts the
equilibrium described in 2(a) above to the right. This in turn increases the [H+] in the blood and
thus lowers the blood pH level.

5.2 Activity
Procedure
1. The ion that acts as the “acid neutralizer” is the CO32- ion.
CO32-(aq) + H3O+(aq)  HCO3-(aq) + H2O(l)
C8H7O2COOH(aq) + OH-(aq)  C8H7O2COO-(aq) + H2O(l)
A solution containing appreciable quantities of acetylsalicylic acid and the carbonate ion would
not function very well as a buffer solution because the weak acid would react with carbonate
ion and thus reduce the concentrations of each ion in the solution. The solution would qualify as
a buffer, but its capacity would be compromised.

2. If the concentrations of the components of a buffer solution are equal, then the following
relationship applies: [H3O+] = Ka for the weak acid
Therefore: [H3O+] = Ka for HCO3- = 5.6 x 10-11
So: pH = -log (5.6 x 10-11) = 10.25 (This solution would be considered to be a basic buffer.)

© Edvantage Interactive 2012-09-20 16

5.2 Review Questions

1. The purpose of a buffer is to resist significant pH changes following the addition of relatively
small amounts of strong acid or strong base.

2. The components of a buffer solution are normally a conjugate acid-base pair because these
components will not react with each other.

3. A buffer must be able to resist pH changes following the addition of either an acid or a base.
Although HNO3 is certainly capable of neutralizing added OH- ions, its conjugate base, NO3-,
cannot neutralize added acid. This is because the nitrate ion is the conjugate base of a strong acid
and is thus incapable of accepting protons.

4. Each of the following compound pairs exists at a concentration 0.50 M in their respective
solutions. Circle the solutions that represent buffers:
Na2CO3 / KOH NaCl / HCl C6H5COOH / KC6H5COO HNO3 / KNO2
N2H4 / NH3 CH3NH3NO3 / CH3NH2 K2SO3 / KHSO3 CH3COOH / HI
HBr / NaOH KIO3 / HIO3 NaHS / H2S HF / LiF H2O2 / RbHO2

5.
(a) As [HCN] = [CN-], then [H3O+] = Ka for HCN = 4.9 x 10-10 M

(b) This solution considered to be a basic buffer because it buffers the solution in the basic
region of the pH scale.

(c) CN-(aq) + H3O+(aq)  HCN(aq) + H2O(l)

Following the addition of a small amount of HCl, the pH of the buffer solution will decrease
slightly.

d) HCN(aq) + OH-(aq)  CN-(aq) + H2O(l)

Following the addition of a small amount of NaOH, the pH of the buffer solution will increase
slightly.

6.
Stress Applied Net Ionic Equation How [HA]/[A-] Changes How pH Changes

H3O+ added A-(aq) + H3O+(aq)  HA(aq) + H2O(l) [HA]/[A-] ratio increases pH decreases slightly

OH- added HA(aq) + OH-(aq)  A-(aq) + H2O(l) [HA]/[A-] ratio decreases pH increases slightly

© Edvantage Interactive 2012-09-20 17

7. The buffer solutions listed in order from lowest [H3O+] to highest [H3O+] are:
b < a < c < d

8. Buffer Capacity is defined as the amount of acid or base a buffer can neutralize before its
pH changes appreciably. Buffer Capacity depends on the absolute concentrations of the
buffer components. A more concentrated, or high-capacity buffer will experience less of a pH
change following the addition of a given amount of strong acid or strong base than a less
concentrated or low-capacity buffer will.
Therefore, buffer solution “d” listed above would have the highest capacity.

9. The buffer solutions listed in order from highest to lowest capacity are:
d > b >a > c

10. Buffer range is defined as the pH range over which a buffer acts effectively. That pH
range is normally from 1 pH unit below the pKa value for the weak acid component of a
buffer solution to 1 pH above the pKa value.

11. When the concentration of dissolved carbon dioxide in the blood decreases, the
concentration of hydrogen (hydronium) ions in the blood also decreases. This raises the blood
pH level.

12. Alkalosis occurs when the blood pH level gets too high. This causes the [HbO2-] to increase
to the point where the release of O2 from hemoglobin molecules is compromised. In short, the
hemoglobin will not release the oxygen molecules to which it has attached.

13. Acidosis occurs when the blood pH level gets too low. This causes the [HbO2-] to decrease
to the point where hemoglobin’s affinity for oxygen is reduced. In short, hemoglobin and
oxygen will no longer bind together.

14. By considering the net ionic equation for the neutralization of a strong base by the acidic
component of a buffer, the answer to this question becomes clear. In this case, when NaOH is
added to a solution of HNO2, the following represents the net ionic equation:
HNO2(aq) + OH-(aq)  NO2-(aq) + H2O(l)
This shows us that if we add 0.50 mol NaOH to 1.0 L of 1.0 M HNO2, the 0.50 mol NaOH will
be totally consumed and in the process stoichiometrically convert 0.50 mol HNO2 into 0.50 mol
NO2-. We will therefore have a buffer solution containing equal concentrations of the weak acid
HNO2 and its conjugate base, NO2-.

© Edvantage Interactive 2012-09-20 18

15. The Henderson-Hasselbalch equation shows us that if the buffer component concentrations
are equal, then the pH of the buffer solution simply equals the pKa of the acid present in the
buffer.
As pH = pKa + log [A- ] If [A-] = [HA], then pH = pKa
[HA]

(a) pH = pKa for HNO2 = - log (4.6 x 10-4) = 3.34

(b) pH = pKa for CH3COOH = - log (1.8 x 10-5) = 4.74

(c) pH = pKa for NH4+ = - log (5.6 x 10-10) = 9.25

(d) pH = pKa for HF = - log (3.5 x 10-4) = 3.46

16. Extension
(a) The solution must be buffered to pH = 10.00 using CO32- and HCO3-.
Therefore:
10.00 = pKa for HCO3- + log [CO32- ]
[HCO3-]
Because the [HCO3-] = 0.20 M, the above equation is written as the following:

10.00 = 10.25 + log [CO32- ] so: log [CO32- ] = - 0.25

(0.20) (0.20)

[CO32-] = 10-0.25 = 0.562 so: [CO32-] = (0.20) (0.562) = 0.112 M

(0.20)

[CO32-] = [Na2CO3] = 0.112 mol x 106.0 g Na2CO3 x 1.0 L = 12 g (2 sig. digits)

L mol

b) The addition of 0.0010 mol HCl to the 1.0 L buffer solution will reduce the [CO32-] by
0.0010 M and increase the [HCO3-] by 0.0010 M according to the following net ionic equation:
CO32-(aq) + H3O+(aq)  HCO3-(aq) + H2O(l)
As a result, the pH of the buffer solution will now be given by:
pH = 10.25 + log (0.112 - 0.0010) = 10.25 + log 0.111
(0.200 + 0.0010) 0.201
= 10.25 + - 0.258 = 9.99 (2 sig. digits)

© Edvantage Interactive 2012-09-20 19

Section 5.3 Acid-Base Titrations – Analyzing with Volume

Warm Up
1. The typical purpose of a titration is to determine the solute concentration of a solution.

2.
0.10 M HCl 0.10 M HCN

Hydrochloric acid is a strong monoprotic Let x = [H3O+]eq

acid and so the hydronium ion
concentration is equal to the acid HCN + H2O CN- + H3 O+
concentration. Therefore: I 0.10 0 0
C -x +x +x
pH - log (0.10) = 1.00 E 0.10 - x x x
Assume 0.10 – x ≈ 0.10
Ka = [CN-] [H3O+] = __x2_ = 4.9 x 10-10
[HCN] 0.10
_______________
x = √ (4.9 x 10-10) (0.10) = 7.0 x 10-6 M
pH = - log (7.0 x 10-6) = 5.15 (2 sig. digits)

3. In 25.0 mL each of the above solutions, there are equal molar amounts of each acid present as
given by:
0.0250 L x 0.10 mol acid = 0.0025 mol acid
L
Therefore, each solution will require the same number of moles of NaOH and therefore the
same volume of a 0.10 M NaOH solution to neutralize all of the acid present. The strength of
the acid has no bearing on the volume of basic solution required to neutralize it.

Quick Check
1. To ensure that an acid-base titration reaction goes to completion, at least one of the two
reacting species must be strong.

2. An “endpoint” or “transition point” in an acid-base titration is the point at which an indicator

changes colour and is only dependent upon the chemical nature of the acid-base indicator.
The “equivalence point” or “stoichiometric point” in an acid-base titration is the point at which
the total number of moles of H3O+ from the acid equals the total number of moles of OH- from
the base. The equivalence point is only dependent upon the chemical nature of the reacting
species.

© Edvantage Interactive 2012-09-20 20

3. The table shows that the volume from trial 1does not agree to within 0.1 mL of the volumes
from either trial 2 or trial 3. Trial 1is therefore discarded and the volumes from trials 1 and 3 are
averaged to obtain the correct volume of standard solution recorded by the student.
Titration Trial Volume of Std. Solution
1 23.88 mL
2 23.67 mL
3 23.59 mL
Average volume of standard solution = 23.67 mL + 23.59 mL = 23.63 mL
2
Quick Check
1. A 4.00 g sample of NaOH will contain less than 0.100 mol of the compound. A portion of
the sample’s mass will be due to absorbed water and also Na2CO3 produced from the reaction
of the NaOH with atmospheric CO2.

2.
(a) A volumetric pipette ensures the accurate and precise measurement of the volume of the
solution being analyzed in the reaction flask.
(b) Standardizing the titrant against a primary standard ensures the accurate and precise
determination of the titrant’s concentration.
(c) A burette ensures the accurate and precise measurement of the volume of titrant required in
the titration.
(d) An appropriate indicator signals the correct determination of the equivalence point during
the titration.

Practice Problems
1. 2NaOH(aq) + H2C2O4(aq)  Na2C2O4(aq) + 2H2O(l)

Step 1: mol H2C2O4 = 0.02500 L x 0.0521 mol H2C2O4 = 0.001303 mol H2C2O4
L
Step 2: mol NaOH = 0.001303 mol H2C2O4 x 2 mol NaOH = 0.002606 mol NaOH
mol H2C2O4
Step 3: [NaOH] = 0.002606 mol NaOH = 0.121 M NaOH (3 sig. digits)
0.02156 L

2. Na2CO3(aq) + 2HNO3(aq)  2NaNO3(aq) + CO2(g) + 2H2O(l)

[Na2CO3] = 1.546 g Na2CO3 x 1 mol Na2CO3 = 0.058340 M Na2CO3
0.2500 L 106.0 g

© Edvantage Interactive 2012-09-20 21

mol Na2CO3 = 0.02500 L x 0.058340 mol Na2CO3 = 0.0014585 mol Na2CO3
L
mol HNO3 = 0.0014585 mol Na2CO3 x 2 mol HNO3 = 0.0029170 mol HNO3
mol Na2CO3
[HNO3] = 0.0029170 mol HNO3 = 0.1259 M HNO3 (4 sig. digits)
0.02317 L

Practice Problems
1. KOH(aq) + CH3COOH (aq)  KCH3COO(aq) + H2O(l)

mol KOH = 0.02564 L x 0.1175 mol KOH = 0.003013 mol KOH

L
mol CH3COOH = mol KOH = 0.003013 mol
[CH3COOH] = 0.003013 mol CH3COOH = 0.0603 M (3 sig. digits)
0.0500 L

2. NaOH(aq) + C2H5OCOOH(aq)  NaC2H5OCOO(aq) + H2O(l)

mol NaOH = (avg. trials 2 & 3) 0.03360 L x 0.153 mol NaOH = 0.005141 mol NaOH
L
mol C2H5OCOOH = mol NaOH = 0.005141 mol
[C2H5OCOOH] = 0.005141 mol C2H5OCOOH = 0.206 M (3 sig. digits)
0.02500 L

3. CH3NH2(aq) + HCl(aq)  CH3NH3Cl(aq)

mol HCl = (avg. trials 2 & 3) 0.02730 L x 0.185 mol HCl = 0.005051 mol HCl
L
mol CH3NH2 = mol HCl = 0.005051 mol
[CH3NH2] = 0.005051 mol CH3NH2 = 0.101 M (3 sig. digits)
0.0500 L

Practice Problems
1. 2KOH(aq) + H2SO4(aq)  K2SO4(aq) + 2H2O(l)

mol H2SO4 = 0.0150 L x 0.178 mol H2SO4 = 0.002595 mol H2SO4

L

© Edvantage Interactive 2012-09-20 22

mol KOH = 0.002595 mol H2SO4 x 2 mol KOH = 0.005190 mol KOH
mol H2SO4
volume KOH solution = 0.005190 mol KOH x 1.00 L = 0.0241 L = 24.1 mL
0.215 mol (3 sig. digits)

2. Sr(OH)2(aq) + 2HCl(aq)  SrCl2(aq) + 2H2O(l)

mol Sr(OH)2 = 0.0250 L x 0.285 mol Sr(OH)2 = 0.007125 mol Sr(OH)2

L
mol HCl = 0.007125 mol Sr(OH)2 x 2 mol HCl x 0.01425 mol HCl
mol Sr(OH)2
[HCl] = [H3O+] = 10-0.432 = 0.3698 M

volume HCl solution = 0.01425 mol HCl x 1.00 L = 0.0385 L = 38.5 mL

0.03698 mol (3 sig. digits)

3. NH3(aq) + HNO3(aq)  NH4Cl(aq)

[NH3] = 5.60 L NH3 gas x 1 mol NH3 = 0.5000 M

0.5000 L soln. 22.4 L gas
mol NH3 = 0.0200 L x 0.5000 mol NH3 = 0.01000 mol NH3
L
mol HNO3 = NH3 = 0.01000 mol
volume HNO3 solution = 0.01000 mol HNO3 x 1.00 L = 0.0272 L = 27.2 mL
0.368 mol (3 sig digits)

Practice Problems
1. NaOH(aq) + HA(aq)  NaA(aq) + H2O(l)

mol NaOH = 0.01250 L x 0.01104 mol NaOH = 0.001380 mol NaOH

L
mol HA = mol NaOH = 0.001380 mol
[HA] = 0.00138 mol HA = 0.05520 M
0.0250 L
mol HA in original 750 mL solution = 0.7500 L x 0.05520 mol HA = 0.04140 mol HA
L
molar mass of HA = 3.648 g HA = 88.1 g /mol (3 sig. digits)
0.04140 mol

© Edvantage Interactive 2012-09-20 23

2. 2NaOH(aq) + H2A(aq)  Na2A(aq) + 2H2O(l)

mol NaOH = (avg. trials 2 & 3) 0.03735 L x 0.2115 mol NaOH = 0.007900 mol NaOH
L
mol H2A = 0.007900 mol NaOH x 1 mol H2A x 0.003950 mol H2A
2 mol NaOH
molar mass of H2A = 0.375 g H2A = 94.9 g/mol (3 sig. digits)
0.003950 mol

3. B(aq) + HCl(aq)  BHCl(aq)

mol HCl = 0.01749 L x 0.05115 mol HCl = 8.9461 x 10-4 mol HCl
L
mol B = mol HCl = 8.9461 x 10-4 mol
[B] = 8.9461 x 10-4 mol B = 0.035784 M
0.0250 L
mol B in original 250.0 mL = 0.250 L x 0.035784 mol B = 0.0089461 mol B
L
molar mass of B = 2.552 g B = 285 g/mol (3 sig. digits)
0.0089461 mol

Practice Problems

1. NaOH(aq) + C6H5COOH(aq)  NaC6H5COO(aq) + H2O(l)

mol NaOH = 0.02376 L x 0.1052 mol NaOH = 0.0024996 mol NaOH

L
mol pure C6H5COOH = mol NaOH = 0.0024996 mol
Actual mass pure C6H5COOH =
0.0024996 mol x 122.0 g C6H5COOH = 0.30495 g C6H5COOH
mol
% purity = actual mass pure C6H5COOH x 100 % = 0.30495 g x 100 % = 93.40 %
given mass impure C6H5COOH 0.3265 g (4 sig. digits)

© Edvantage Interactive 2012-09-20 24

2. Ca(OH)2(aq) + 2HCl(aq)  CaCl2(aq) + 2H2O(l)

mol HCl = 0.01772 L x 0.0615 mol HCl = 0.0010898 mol HCl

L
mol Ca(OH)2 = 0.0010898 mol HCl x 1 mol Ca(OH)2 = 5.4489 x 10-4 mol Ca(OH)2
2 mol HCl
Actual [Ca(OH)2] = 5.4489 x 10-4 mol Ca(OH)2 = 0.021796 M
0.0250 L
Expected [Ca(OH)2] = 1.309 g Ca(OH)2 x 1 mol Ca(OH)2 = 0.023554 M
0.7500 L 74.1 g
% purity = actual [Ca(OH)2] x 100 % = 0.021796 M x 100 % = 92.5 %
expected [Ca(OH)2] 0.023554 M (3 sig. digits)

3. NaOH(aq) + C5H4NCOOH(aq)  NaC5H4NCOO(aq) + H2O(l)

mol NaOH = 0.02096 L x 0.501 mol NaOH = 0.01050 mol NaOH

L
mol pure C5H4NCOOH = mol NaOH = 0.01050 mol
Actual mass pure C5H4NCOOH =
0.01050 mol C5H4NCOOH x 123.0 g C5H4NCOOH = 1.292 g C5H4NCOOH
mol
% purity = actual mass C5H4NCOOH x 100 % = 1.292 g x 100 % = 94.9 %
given mass impure C5H4NCOOH 1.361 g (3 sig. digits)

5.3 Activity
Procedure
1.
(a) A burette ensures the accurate and precise measurement of the volume of titrant required
during a titration.
(b) A pipette ensures the accurate and precise measurement of the volume of solution dispensed
into the Erlenmeyer flask for analysis in a titration.
(c) An Erlenmeyer flask allows for swirling of the aqueous reaction mixture during a titration
without any loss of solution.
(d) A correctly-chosen indicator signals when a titration reaction has just gone to completion by
changing colour at (or very near to) the equivalence point.

© Edvantage Interactive 2012-09-20 25

(e) A standard (or standardized) solution is a solution whose concentration is known to a high
level of precision. This ensures that the volume of standard solution required in a titration can be
used to accurately determine the number of moles of solute added from the burette. This in turn
ensures the accurate determination of the number of moles of reactant present in the solution
being analyzed.
(f) An acidic or basic primary standard allows the concentration of the solution in the burette to
be determined to a high level of precision.

2. Because a titration is an analytical procedure, accuracy is paramount. Therefore, every

titration must be repeated to ensure accurate results. Incomplete mixing of solutions, improper
pipetting techniques, and errors made when reading burette volumes (particularly for beginning
students) can all contribute to inaccurate results.

Titration Procedure

Part A: Standardizing the NaOH Solution

1. Determine the mass of H2C2O4·2H2O required to make up 250.0 mL of a 0.0500 M solution.
2. Put on the safety goggles and lab apron.
3. Place the 100 mL beaker on the analytical balance and determine the beaker’s mass.
4. Add the calculated mass of oxalic acid dihydrate to the beaker. (As long as this mass is known
accurately, dispensing a mass close to the calculated value is sufficient).
5. Remove the beaker and acid from the balance and add water to the beaker to dissolve the acid.
6. Pour the acid solution through the funnel into the volumetric flask. Wash the beaker a few
times with water from the wash bottle to remove all of the acid and add the washings to the flask.
7. Fill the flask to the mark with water and stopper it. Shake the flask to ensure the solution is
homogeneous. Calculate the concentration of this standard solution using the measured mass of
oxalic acid present in the 250.0 mL volume.
8. Using the second funnel, add about 10 - 15 mL of NaOH solution to the burette, stopper it, and
rinse it back and forth. Discard the NaOH solution by opening the stopcock over the sink. Fill
the burette with NaOH solution using the same funnel and drain a small amount out of the
bottom to eliminate any air bubbles in the bottom until the volume of solution is just below the
“0 mL” mark on the burette. Withdraw the funnel.
9. Place the tip of the pipette into the volumetric flask (if it won’t fit, pour some oxalic acid
solution into a clean dry beaker) and withdraw about 5 – 10 mL of acid solution. Rinse the
pipette back and forth and discard the acid solution. Withdraw 25.0 mL of acid solution into the
pipette and transfer the solution to one of the Erlenmeyer flask. Add 3 or 4 drops of
phenolphthalein indicator solution to the acid in the flask.
10. Record the initial volume of NaOH in the burette and titrate the oxalic acid solution with the
basic solution until the first faint pink colour remains in the flask for about 15 seconds and close

© Edvantage Interactive 2012-09-20 26

the burette stopcock. Record the final volume reading on the burette.

11. Repeat step #10 until agreement within ± 0.10 mL is achieved. Average the two trials that
agree and use that volume and the [H2C2O4] calculated in step #7 above to determine the
[NaOH]. This is now the standardized solution to be used to calculate the [C8H7O2COOH].

Part B: Determining the Concentration of ASA Solution

1. Using the same funnel employed to fill the burette with NaOH solution, refill the burette with
the basic solution and record the initial volume.
2. Using the second pipette, withdraw about 5 – 10 mL of ASA solution, rinse the pipette back
and forth and discard the acid solution. Withdraw 25.0 mL of the ASA solution into the pipette
and transfer the solution to the second Erlenmeyer flask. Add 3 or 4 drops of phenolphthalein
indicator solution to the acid in the flask.
3. Titrate the ASA solution with the basic solution until the first faint pink colour remains in the
flask for about 15 seconds and close the burette stopcock. Record the final volume reading on
the burette.
4. Repeat step #3 until agreement within ± 0.10 mL is achieved. Average the two trials that agree
and use that volume and the [NaOH] calculated in Part A above to determine the
[C8H7O2COOH].

Results and Discussion

1. NaOH(aq) + C8H7O2COOH(aq)  NaC8H7O2COO(aq) + H2O(l)
2. At the equivalence point, an aqueous solution of NaC8H7O2COO exists in the reaction flask.
The pH of this solution will be above 7 because the anion of the salt is the conjugate base of a
weak acid and will therefore hydrolyze by accepting protons from water and thus produce
hydroxide ions.
3. A concentration of 0.0500 M is appropriate for the oxalic acid solution because the [NaOH] is
approximately 0.1 M. A 2:1 mole ratio in the neutralization reaction means that a given volume
of 0.0500 M solution of oxalic acid will require approximately the same volume 0.1 M NaOH to
reach the equivalence point.
4. Some possible sources of error and their impact are:
• Non-homogeneity of the oxalic acid solution will cause each aliquot used in the
standardization to have a different concentration. Thus, different volumes of NaOH
solution will be required to neutralize it.
• Poor technique when filling and/or emptying the pipette will dispense different molar
amounts of oxalic acid and/or ASA solution into the reactant flask. Once again, different
volumes of NaOH solution will then be required to reach the equivalence points.
• Improper reading of initial and/or final volumes of standardized solution in the burette
will result in incorrect mole amounts of NaOH being calculated.

© Edvantage Interactive 2012-09-20 27

 • Errors made when interpreting the indicator colour change at the equivalence point will
cause incorrect volumes, and thus moles (often too much) of NaOH to be added to the
reaction flask.
• Improper operating of the burette stopcock as the equivalence point is approached will
once again dispense incorrect volumes of NaOH into the reaction flask. An incorrect
volume means an incorrect mole amount.

5.3 Review Questions

1. Disagree. Because a titration reaction goes to completion, the volume of standard solution
required is only dependent upon the stoichiometry of the reaction and the moles of each species
(acid or base) that it must neutralize. It is not dependent upon the strength of those species. Thus
each acid solution will require approximately the same volume of standard NaOH solution to
reach the equivalence point.

2. Agree. The volume of solution to be analyzed has been recorded and thus the number of
reactant moles has been specified. Adding water to the reaction flask will not change the number
of moles of reactant present and will thus not affect the volume standard solution required to
reach the equivalence point.

3. Agree. A 25.0 mL of approximately 0.2 M acetic acid contains approximately 0.005 mol of
acid as given by the following:
0.0250 L x 0.2 mol CH3COOH = 0.005 mol CH3COOH
L
A 50.0 mL burette filled to capacity with 0.0650 M NaOH contains only 0.00325 mol NaOH as
given by the following:
0.0500 L x 0.0650 mol NaOH = 0.00325 mol NaOH
L
Thus there is insufficient standard solution available in the burette to reach the equivalence point.

4. Agree. NaOH is normally only 95 – 98 % pure and rapidly both absorbs water and reacts with
CO2 from the atmosphere. Therefore, any amount of NaOH will contain impurities and thus less
than the measured mass of NaOH. This means that the calculated [NaOH] will be too high.

5. NaOH(aq) + KHC8H4O4(aq)  NaKHC8H4O4(aq) + H2O(l)

mol KHP = 0.835 g KHC8H4O4 x 1 mol = 0.004091 mol KHP
204.1 g
mol NaOH = mol KHP = 0.004091 mol
[NaOH] = 0.004091 mol NaOH = 0.162 M (3 sig. digits)
0.02524 L

© Edvantage Interactive 2012-09-20 28

6. 2NaOH(aq) + H2C2O4(aq)  Na2C2O4(aq) + 2H2O(l)
mol NaOH = 0.02156 L x 0.125 mol NaOH = 0.002695 mol NaOH
L
mol H2C2O4 = 0.002695 mol NaOH x 1 mol H2C2O4 = 0.001348 mol H2C2O4
2 mol NaOH
mass H2C2O4·2H2O = 0.001348 mol H2C2O4 x 126.0 g H2C2O4 = 0.170 g (3 sig. digits)
mol

7. 2NaOH(aq) + H2C2O4(aq)  Na2C2O4(aq) + 2H2O(l)

pOH = 14.000 – 13 .440 = 0.560

[OH-] = [NaOH] = 10-0.560 = 0.2754 M
mol H2C2O4 = 0.0250 L x 0.156 mol H2C2O4 = 0.003900 mol H2C2O4
L
mol NaOH = 0.003900 mol H2C2O4 x 2 mol NaOH = 0.007800 mol NaOH
mol H2C2O4
volume NaOH solution = 0.007800 mol NaOH x 1.00 L = 0.02832 L = 28.3 mL
0.2754 mol (3 sig. digits)

8. Sr(OH)2(aq) + 2HCl(aq)  SrCl2(aq) + 2H2O(l)

[HCl] = 4.48 L HCl gas x 1 mol HCl = 0.5000 M

0.400 L soln. 22.4 L gas
mol HCl = 0.0250 L x 0.5000 mol HCl = 0.1250 mol HCl
L
mol Sr(OH)2 = 0.1250 mol HCl x 1 mol Sr(OH)2 = 0.006250 mol Sr(OH)2
2 mol HCl
volume Sr(OH)2 solution = 0.006250 mol Sr(OH)2 x 1.00 L = 0.02753 L = 27.5 mL
0.227 mol (3 sig. digits)

9. KOH(aq) + HA(aq)  KA(aq) + H2O(l)

mol KOH = 0.02651 L x 0.2055 mol KOH = 0.0054478 mol KOH

L
mol HA = mol KOH = 0.0054478 mol
molar mass HA = 0.665 g HA = 122 g/mol (3 sig. digits)
0.0054478 mol

© Edvantage Interactive 2012-09-20 29

10. Sr(OH)2(aq) + H2A(aq)  SrA(aq) + 2H2O(l)

mol Sr(OH)2 = 0.0236 L x 0.2231 mol Sr(OH)2 = 0.005265 mol Sr(OH)2

L
mol H2A = mol Sr(OH)2 = 0.005265 mol
[H2A] = 0.005265 mol H2A = 0.2106 M
0.0250 L
mol H2A present in 250.0 mL = 0.2500 L x 0.2106 mol H2A = 0.5265 mol H2A
L
molar mass H2A = 5.47 g H2A = 104 g/mol (3 sig. digits)
0.5265 mol

11. 2NaOH(aq) + C4H6O6(aq)  Na2C4H4O6(aq) + 2H2O(l)

mol NaOH = 0.04031 L x 0.223 mol NaOH = 0.008989 mol NaOH

L
mol C4H6O6 = 0.008989 mol NaOH x 1 mol C4H6O6 = 0.004495 mol C4H6O6
2 mol NaOH
Actual [C4H6O6] = 0.004495 mol C4H6O6 = 0.1798 M
0.02500 L
Expected [C4H6O6] = 7.36 g C4H6O6 x 1 mol C4H6O6 = 0.1963 M
0.2500 L 150.0 g
% purity = actual [C4H6O6] x 100 % = 0.1798 M x 100% = 91.6 % (3 sig. digits)
expected [C4H6O6] 0.1963 M

12. KOH(aq) + C5H7COOH(aq)  KC5H7COO(aq) + H2O(l)

mol KOH = 0.02734 L x 0.178 mol KOH = 0.004867 mol KOH

L

mol C5H7COOH = mol KOH = 0.004867 mol

Actual mass C5H7COOH = 0.004867 mol x 112.0 g C5H7COOH = 0.5451 g C5H7COOH

mol

% purity = actual mass C5H7COOH x 100 % = 0.5451 g x 100 % = 95.6 %

expected mass C5H7COOH 0.570 g (3 sig. digits)

© Edvantage Interactive 2012-09-20 30

13. Sr(OH)2(aq) + 2C7H7COOH(aq)  Sr(C7H7COO)2(aq) + 2H2O(aq)

mol Sr(OH)2 = 0.03107 L x 0.105 mol Sr(OH)2 = 0.003262 mol Sr(OH)2

L

mol C7H7COOH = 0.003262 mol Sr(OH)2 x 2 mol C7H7COOH = 0.006252 mol C7H7COOH
mol Sr(OH)2
Actual mass C7H7COOH =
0.006252 mol C7H7COOH x 136.0 g C7H7COOH = 0.8874 g C7H7COOH
mol
% purity = actual mass C7H7COOH x 100 % = 0.8874 g x 100 % = 89.5 %
expected mass C7H7COOH 0.992 g (3 sig. digits)

14. The “analysis” process is always based on the volume of solution added from the burette.
This determines the number of moles of one reagent required to reach the equivalence point and
all subsequent calculations proceed from that data.

Section 5.4 A Closer Look at Titrations

Warm Up
1.
Titration 1: NaOH(aq) + HCl(aq)  NaCl(aq) + H2O(l)
Titration 2: NaOH(aq) + CH3COOH(aq)  NaCH3COO(aq) + H2O(l)
Titration 3: NH3(aq) + HCl(aq)  NH4Cl(aq)

2.
Titration 1: An aqueous solution of NaCl exists in the reaction flask at the equivalence point.
Titration 2: An aqueous solution of NaCH3COO exists in the reaction flask at the equivalence
point.
Titration 3: An aqueous solution of NH4Cl exists in the reaction flask at the equivalence point.

3.
Titration 1: At the equivalence point, the pH of this solution should be equal to 7 because
neither the Na+ nor the Cl- ion will undergo hydrolysis.

© Edvantage Interactive 2012-09-20 31

Titration 2: At the equivalence point, the pH of this solution should be above 7 because the
CH3COO- ion is the conjugate base of a weak acid and will thus undergo hydrolysis
producing OH- ions.
Titration 3: At the equivalence point, the pH of this solution should be below 7 because the
NH4+ is the conjugate acid of a weak base and will thus undergo hydrolysis producing H3O+
ions.

Practice Problems

1. The pKa (which also equals the transition point pH) for the indicator can be estimated by
averaging the two pH values between which the colour change occurs:
pKa = 3.0 + 4.5 = 3.75 = 3.8 (1 sig. digit)
2
Ka = 10-3.75 = 1.8 x 10-4 = 2 x 10-4 (1 sig. digit)

In a 1.8 x 10-4 M HCl solution:

[H3O+] = [HCl] = 1.8 x 10-4 M (This equals the approximate Ka of bromphenol blue.)

And pH = - log (1.8 x 10-4) = 3.74

Because the solution pH corresponds to the transition point pH for bromphenol blue, an
intermediate green colour will be seen.

2.
Indicator Colour
Phenol Red red
Phenolphthalein colourless

The phenol red colour tells us that the pH ≥ 8.0.

The phenolphthalein colour that the pH ≤ 8.2.
We would estimate the pH to be approximately 8.1.
Therefore: [H3O+] ≈ 10-8.1 ≈ 8 x 10-9 M (1 sig. digit)

3. In a 0.0010 M NaOH solution:

pOH = - log (1.0 x 10-3) = 3.00 and so pH = 14.00 - 3.00 = 11.00
Once again, the solution pH = the indicator pKa and so an intermediate orange colour is seen.

© Edvantage Interactive 2012-09-20 32

4.
Below pH 5.6 Above pH 7.3 Below pH 11 Above pH 12.4
Alizarin Colour yellow red red purple

pKa 1 = 5.6 + 7.3 = 6.4 so Ka 1 = 10-6.4 = 4 x 10-7 (1 sig. digit)

2

pKa 2 = 11.0 + 12.4 = 11.7 so Ka 2 = 10-11.4 = 2 x 10-12 (1 sig. digit)

2

5.
Bromthymol Blue Methyl Orange Phenolphthalein
Solution A blue yellow pink
Solution B green yellow colourless
Solution C yellow yellow colourless
Solution D yellow red colourless

Solution A has a pH ≥ 10. This must be the Na2CO3 solution. The carbonate anion is a
relatively strong weak base and the cation dos not hydrolyze.

Solution B has a pH ≈ 7. This must be the NH4CH3COO solution. Both the cation and the
anion of salt hydrolyze, but because the Ka of the cation = Kb of the anion, the solution will be
neutral.

Solution C has a pH between 4.4 and 7.0. This must be the NaH2PO4 solution. The cation of
the salt does not hydrolyze, and the Ka of the amphiprotic anion (6.2 x 10-8) is greater than its Kb
(1.3 x 10-12). Therefore the solution will be slightly acidic.

Solution D has a pH ≤ 3.2. This must be the NaHSO4 solution. The cation does not
hydrolyze and the anion (which can only donate protons to water) is a stronger weak acid than
any ion present in the other salts. This solution will therefore be the most acidic.

Quick Check

1. H3O+(aq) + OH-(aq)  2H2O(l)

2. Phenolphthalein is often chosen because the appearance of a pink colour in a colourless

solution at the transition point is much easier to detect than a change in colour from one
colour to another.

3. The pH at the equivalence point of a strong acid – strong base titration is equal to 7 because
neither of the dissociated ions from the salt that exists at the equivalence point will undergo
hydrolysis.

© Edvantage Interactive 2012-09-20 33

Practice Problems
1.
[HCl]IN = 0.100 M x 25.00 mL = 0.5005 M
49.95 mL
[NaOH]IN = 0.100 M x 24.95 mL = 0.4995 M
49.95 mL
HCl + NaOH  NaCl + H2 O
I 0.5005 0.4995 0
C - 0.4995 - 0.4995 + 0.4995
F 0.0001 ≈0 0.4995
Final [HCl] = [H3O+] = 0.0001 M so pH = - log (0.0001) = 4

2.
[HCl]IN = 0.100 M x 25.00 mL = 0.4995 M
50.05 mL
[NaOH]IN = 0.100 M x 25.05 mL = 0.5005 M
50.05 mL
HCl + NaOH  NaCl + H2 O
I 0.4995 0.5005 0
C - 0.4995 - 0.4995 + 0.4995
F ≈0 0.0001 0.4995
Final [NaOH] = [OH-] = 0.0001 M
so pOH = - log (0.0001) = 4.00 pH = 14.00 - 4.00 = 10
3. H2SO4(aq) + 2NaOH(aq)  Na2SO4(aq) + 2H2O(l)
The solution at the equivalence point will be slightly basic. Although the cation (Na+) of the
dissociated salt will not hydrolyze, the anion (SO42-) of the salt the conjugate base of a weak
acid and will thus hydrolyze by accepting protons from water producing OH- ions.

Quick Check

1. The “buffer region” of a weak acid – strong base titration curve is so-named because during
this part of the titration, appreciable quantities of both a weak acid and its conjugate base
exist in the reaction flask.

2. The pH at the equivalence point of a weak acid – strong base titration is higher than 7 because
the cation of the product salt will not hydrolyze, but the anion of the product salt is a weak
base. Thus, the anion will accept protons from water producing OH- ions.

3. Beyond the equivalence point, the contribution the acetate ion makes to the [OH-] is
insignificant because excess NaOH is present in the solution. Sodium hydroxide is a strong base

© Edvantage Interactive 2012-09-20 34

and the excess hydroxide ions from this base suppress the hydrolysis of the weakly basic
acetate ion by forcing that equilibrium further to the left as shown below:

CH3COO- + H2O CH3COOH + OH-

4.

                                                                                                                                                                       Volume  NaOH  (mL)  

Practice Problems
1.
(a)
[HCOOH]IN = 0.200 M x 20.00 mL = 0.1379 M
29.00 mL
[NaOH]IN = 0.200 M x 9.00 mL = 0.06207 M
29.00 mL
HCOOH + NaOH  NaHCOO + H2O
I 0.1379 0.06207 0
C - 0.06207 - 0.06207 + 0.06207
F 0.07583 ≈0 0.06207

Ka = [H3O+] [HCOO-] so [H3O+] = Ka [HCOOH]

[HCOOH] [HCOO-]
[H3O+] = (1.8 x 10-4) (0.07583) = 2.199 x 10-4 M
(0.06207)
pH = - log (2.199 x 10-4) = 3.66 (2 sig. digits)

© Edvantage Interactive 2012-09-20 35

(b)
Part 1
[HCOOH]IN = 0.200 M x 20.00 mL = 0.1000 M
40.00 mL
[NaOH]IN = 0.200 M x 20.00 mL = 0.1000 M
40.00 mL
HCOOH + NaOH  NaHCOO + H2O
I 0.1000 0.1000 0
C - 0.1000 - 0.1000 + 0.1000
F ≈0 ≈0 0.1000

Part 2
let x = [OH-]eq
HCOO- + H2 O HCOOH + OH-
I 0.1000 0 0
C -x + x + x
E 0.1000 - x x x

Assume 0.1000 - x ≈ 0.1000

Kb = [HCOOH] [OH-] = Kw = 1.0 x 10-14 = 5.56 x 10-11
[HCOO-] Ka 1.8 x 10-4
_________________
x2 = 5.56 x 10-11 so x = √(0.1000) (5.56 x 10-11)
0.1000
x = [OH-] = 2.36 x 10-6 M so pOH = - log (2.36 x 10-6)
pOH = 5.628 and so pH = 14.000 - 5.628 = 8.37 (2 sig. digits)

2. Halfway to the equivalence point in a weak acid – strong base titration:

pH of the solution = pKa of the weak acid being titrated and [H3O+] = Ka
Therefore:
[H3O+] = 104.187 = 6.50 x 10-5. This matches the Ka for benzoic acid. Thus the weak acid
being titrated is benzoic acid.

3.
(a) Halfway to the equivalence point, the hydronium ion concentration will equal the Ka of the
weak acid being titrated. Therefore:
[H3O+] = Ka for HNO2 = 4.6 x 10-4 M

© Edvantage Interactive 2012-09-20 36

(b)
Part 1
[HNO2]IN = 0.450 M x 20.00 mL = 0.2368 M
38.00 mL
[NaOH]IN = 0.500 M x 18.00 mL = 0..2368 M
38.00 mL
HNO2 + NaOH  NaNO2 + H2 O
I 0.2368 0.2368 0
C - 0.2368 - 0.2368 + 0.2368
F ≈0 ≈0 0.2368

Part 2
let x = [OH-]eq
NO2- + H2 O HNO2 + OH-
I 0.2368 0 0
C -x +x +x
E 0.2368 - x x x

Assume 0.2368 - x ≈ 0.2368

Kb = [HNO2][OH-] = Kw = 1.0 x 10-14 = 2.17 x 10-11
[NO2-] Ka 4.6 x 10-4
_________________
x2 = 2.17 x 10-11 so x = √(0.2368) (2.17 x 10-11)
0.2368
x = [OH-] = 2.27 x 10-6 M so pOH = - log (2.27 x 10-6)
pOH = 5.645 and so pH = 14.000 - 5.645 = 8.36 (2 sig. digits)

Quick Check

1. The pH of a weak base – strong acid titration is lower than 7 because the anion of the product
salt will not hydrolyze, but the cation of the product salt is a weak acid. Thus, the cation will
donate protons to water producing H3O+ ions.

2. Phenolphthalein would be a poor choice for an indicator because as the strong acid is added to
the weak base in the reaction flask, the indicator’s pink colour will disappear at pH 8.2. This is
in the basic range of the pH scale and well above the equivalence point pH which is below 7
in the acidic range of the pH scale. The result would be an incorrectly low volume recorded
for an equivalence point and thus a calculation of too few moles of acid.

3. Beyond the equivalence point, the contribution the ammonium ion makes to the [H3O+] is
insignificant because excess HCl is present in the solution. The excess HCl is a strong acid and

© Edvantage Interactive 2012-09-20 37

the increasing [H3O+] from that acid forces the weak acid hydrolysis equilibrium even
further to the left as shown below:
NH4+(aq) + H2O(l) NH3(aq) + H3O+(aq)
The result is that we can safely ignore any contribution to the [H3O+] in the flask by the
ammonium ion.

Practice Problems
1.
[NH3]IN = 0.100 M x 25.00 mL = 0. 06579 M
38.00 mL
[HCl]IN = 0.100 M x 13.00 mL = 0. 03421M
38.00 mL
NH3 + HCl  NH4+ + Cl-
I 0.06579 0.03421 0 0
C - 0.03421 - 0.03421 + 0.03421 + 0.03421
F 0. 03158 ≈0 0.03421 0.03421
Kb = [NH4+] [OH-] so [OH-] = Kb [NH3]
[NH3] [NH4+]
[OH-] = (1.8 x 10-5) (0.03158) = 1.66 x 10-5 M
(0.03421)
pOH = - log (1.66 x 10-5) = 4.779 so pH = 14.000 - 4.779 = 9.22 (2 sig. digits)

2. Once the titration curve is drawn for the titration of a weak base by a strong acid, the pH, and
thus the pOH, of the solution halfway to the equivalence point can be determined from the curve.
The pOH of the solution halfway to the equivalence point equals the pKb of the weak base
being titrated. From that pKb value, we can determine the Kb of the weak base.
3.
[NH3]IN = 0.100 M x 25.00 mL = 0.03846 M
65.00 mL
[HCl]IN = 0.100 M x 40.00 mL = 0.06154 M
65.00 mL
NH3 + HCl  NH4+ + Cl-
I 0.03846 0.06154 0 0
C - 0.03846 - 0.03846 + 0.03846 + 0.03846
F ≈0 0.02308 0.03846 0.03846
Final [HCl] = Final [H3O+] = 0.02308 M pH = - log (0.02308) = 1.637 (3 sig. digits)
This calculated pH value does agree with the titration curve.

© Edvantage Interactive 2012-09-20 38

5.4 Activity: A Titration Curve Summary

Strong Acid + Strong Base Titration

Net Ionic Equation: H3O+(aq) + OH-(aq)  2 H2O(l)

Equivalence  Point  pH  =  7

                                                                                                                                                       Volume              0.100  M  NaOH  

                                                                                                                                       Volume  at  Equivalence  Point  (25.00  mL)

Reason for Equivalence Point pH

The titration of a strong monoprotic acid by a strong base will produce a solution with a pH of 7
at the equivalence point because neither of the ions present in the product salt can undergo
hydrolysis to affect the pH.
.

Weak Acid + Strong Base Titration

Net Ionic Equation: HA(aq) + OH-(aq)  A-(aq) + H2O(aq)

                                                                                                                                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                                         Equivalence  Point  pH  >  7

Buffer  Region                                                                                                                                                                              

                                                                                                                                                       Volume              0.100  M  NaOH  

Volume  at  Equivalence  Point  (25.00  mL)

© Edvantage Interactive 2012-09-20 39

Reason for Equivalence Point pH
The titration of a weak acid by a strong base will produce a basic solution with a pH greater than
7 at the equivalence point because the anion present in the product salt will undergo
hydrolysis to produce OH- ions and the cation will not hydrolyze.

Weak Base + Strong Acid Titration

Net Ionic Equation: B(aq) + H3O+(aq)  HB+(aq) + H2O(l)

                                                                                                                       Buffer  Region
                           
Equivalence  Point  pH  <  7

Volume              0.100  M  HCl  

                                                                                                                                   Volume  at  Equivalence  Point  (25.00  mL)  

Reason for Equivalence Point pH

The titration of a weak base by a strong acid will produce an acidic solution with a pH below 7 at
the equivalence point because the cation present in the product salt will undergo hydrolysis
to produce H3O+ ions and the anion will not hydrolyze.

Results and Discussion

1. The volume of titrant required to reach the equivalence point in each titration will be exactly
the same because each titration reaction goes to completion and the volume of standard solution
required is only dependent upon the stoichiometry of the reaction and the moles of the species
(acid or base) that it must neutralize. In each of the above titrations, the moles of each acid or
base that must be neutralized by the 0.100 M standard solution is the same. Therefore,
because the mole reacting ratio in each titration is 1:1, the volume of 0.100 M standard
solution required to reach the equivalence point in each titration is the same.

2. Explain how each of the two “Weak – Strong” titration curves can be used to determine one
of either a Ka or a Kb value.

(a) Weak Acid – Strong Base Titration Curve

Halfway to the equivalence point, the pH of the solution in the reaction flask equals the pKa
of the weak acid being titrated. Therefore, the Ka for the acid can be determined.

© Edvantage Interactive 2012-09-20 40

(b) Weak Base – Strong Acid Titration Curve
Halfway to the equivalence point, the pOH of the solution in the reaction flask equals the
pKb of the weak base being titrated. This allows the Kb for the base to be determined.

5.4 review Questions

1. Given that: Ka = [In-] and Ka = 1.0 x 10-7
+
[H3O ] [HIn]
Then:
Solution [In-] / [HIn] Ratio in Solution Solution Colour

0.0010 M HCl 1.0 x 10-7 = [In-] = 1.0 x 10-4 Yellow

1.0 x 10-3 [HIn]

Pure Water 1.0 x 10-7 = [In-] = 1.0 Green

1.0 x 10-7 [HIn]

0.0010 M NaOH 1.0 x 10-7 = [In-] = 1.0 x 104 Blue

1.0 x 10-11 [HIn]

2. Acid – Base equilibria always favour the weaker species. When HIn exists in a solution with
the strong acid, HNO3, the acid colour of the indicator will be seen – which must be red –
because HNO3 is a stronger acid than HIn and so the following equilibrium lies effectively
completely to the left:

HIn(aq) + NO3-(aq) In-(aq) + HNO3(aq)

RED
This tells us that if the colour red is seen in the presence of another acid, the other acid must be
stronger than the indicator HIn.
Conversely, whenever the second colour for the indicator is seen (in this case yellow), it must
mean that the basic form of the indicator, In-, is the predominant species. This would also mean
that the acid present in the solution with the indicator (HA in this case) is a weaker acid than HIn
and so the product side of the following equilibrium will be favoured:

HIn(aq) + A-(aq) In-(aq) + HA(aq)

YELLOW
We thus make the following conclusions:
(a) Because the yellow form of the indicator is seen in the presence of HA1, then HIn is a
stronger acid than HA1.
(b) Because the red form of the indicator is seen in the presence of HA2, then HIn is a weaker
acid than HA2. Thus: HA1 < HIn < HA2

© Edvantage Interactive 2012-09-20 41

3.
Solution  0.10 M HCl 0.10 M NaOH 0.10 M FeCl3 0.10 M NaCN
Indicator 1: methyl violet yellow/green blue blue blue
Indicator 2: bromthymol blue yellow blue yellow blue
Indicator 3: indigo carmine blue yellow blue blue

4.
HNO3 + KOH NaOH + HCOOH HBr + NH3
pH at Equivalence Pt. 7 above 7 below 7
Indicator phenolphthalein phenolphthalein methyl red

5.
(a) An indicator’s transition point pH equals its pKa. That value can be estimated by averaging
the two pH values over which the colour changes occur. Therefore:
pKa for bromcresol purple = 5.2 + 6.8 = 6.0 and so Ka = 10-6.0 = 1 x 10-6
2
The Ka for bromcresol purple is slightly less than the Ka for acetic acid and so bromcresol
purple is a slightly weaker acid than acetic acid.

(b) Because the two weak acids are so close in strength, when both are present in a solution, the
position of the equilibrium will not favour one side appreciably more than the other. This means
that approximately equal [HIn] and [In-] will exist in the solution resulting in an
intermediate colour between yellow and purple. Thus, bromcresol purple would not be an
ideal indicator to show that acetic acid is acidic.

6.
Solution A Solution B Solution C Solution D Solution E
HIO3 NaCl K3PO4 CH3COOH LiHCOO

7.
Indicator pKa Ka Colour in Colour Displayed Colour Displayed
Pure Water in 0.010 M NaOH in 0.010 M HCl
Phenol Red 7.3 5 x 10-8 yellow/orange red yellow
Methyl Orange 3.8 2 x 10-4 yellow yellow red
Alizarin Yellow 11.1 9 x 10-12 yellow red yellow

8.
(a) In a weak acid – strong base titration, the weaker the acid being titrated, the or higher the
initial pH of the solution will be, and the higher the pH at the equivalence point will be.
(b) In a weak base – strong acid titration, the weaker the base being titrated, the lower the initial
pH of the solution will be, and the lower the pH at the equivalence point will be.

© Edvantage Interactive 2012-09-20 42

9.
Calculating pH Halfway to Calculating pH at the
the Equivalence Point Equivalence Point
(Chemistry of Buffers) (Hydrolysis of Salts)
A buffer solution exists at this At the equivalence point for this
point in the titration such that type of titration, the anion of the salt
Titration of a Weak Acid by [weak acid] = [conjugate base] in that exists at the equivalence point is
a Strong Base the reaction flask. Thus, the the conjugate base of a weak acid.
[H3O+] = Ka for the weak acid Being a weak base, it will thus
and pH = pKa. hydrolyze by accepting protons
from water producing OH-.
A buffer solution exists at this At the equivalence point for this
point in the titration such that type of titration, the cation of the
Titration of a Weak Base by [weak base] = [conjugate acid] in salt that exists at the equivalence
a Strong Acid the reaction flask. Thus, the point is the conjugate acid of a weak
[H3O+] = Ka for the conjugate acid. Being a weak acid, it will thus
acid and pH = pKa. hydrolyze by donating protons to
water producing H3O+.

10. For each type of titration described in question 8 above:

Step 1 in calculating the equivalence point pH involves calculating the final concentrations
of the reacting species resulting from the titration reaction which goes to completion. (This
is most conveniently done by employing an ICF table in the solution process.)
Step 2 then involves using the concentrations calculated in step 1 above as the initial
concentrations in either a weak base pH calculation (due to anionic hydrolysis in #8. (a) )
or a weak acid pH calculation (due to cationic hydrolysis in #8. (b) ). (This is most
conveniently done by employing an ICE table in the solution process.)
11.
(a) Halfway to the equivalence point in a weak acid – strong base titration:
pH of the solution = pKa of the weak acid being titrated
Therefore: pH = pKa for methanoic acid = - log (1.8 x 10-4) = 3.74 (2 sig. digits)

(b) NaOH(aq) + HCOOH(aq)  NaHCOO(aq) + H2O(l)

mol HCOOH = 0.0200 L x 0.250 mol HCOOH = 0.005000 mol HCOOH

L
mol NaOH = mol HCOOH = 0.005000 mol
volume NaOH solution = 0.005000 mol NaOH x 1.00 L = 0.02500 L = 25.0 mL
0.200 mol (3 sig. digits)

© Edvantage Interactive 2012-09-20 43

(c)
Part 1
[HCOOH]IN = 0.250 M x 20.00 mL = 0.1111 M
45.00 mL
[NaOH]IN = 0.200 M x 25.00 mL = 0.1111 M
45.00 mL
HCOOH + NaOH  NaHCOO + H2O
I 0.1111 0.1111 0
C - 0.1111 - 0.1111 + 0.1111
F ≈0 ≈0 0.1111

Part 2
let x = [OH-]eq
HCOO- + H2 O HCOOH + OH-
I 0.1111 0 0
C -x + x + x
E 0.1111 - x x x

Assume 0.1111 - x ≈ 0.1111

Kb = [HCOOH] [OH-] = Kw = 1.0 x 10-14 = 5.56 x 10-11
[HCOO-] Ka 1.8 x 10-4
_________________
x2 = 5.56 x 10-11 so x = √(0.1111) (5.56 x 10-11)
0.1111
x = [OH-] = 2.49 x 10-6 M so pOH = - log (2.49 x 10-6)
pOH = 5.605 and so pH = 14.000 - 5.605 = 8.40 (2 sig. digits)
12. Halfway to the equivalence point in a weak acid – strong base titration:
pH of the solution = pKa of the weak acid being titrated
Thus pKa for weak acid = 3.456 and so Ka = 10-3.456 = 3.50 x 10-4
(3 sig. digits)
This matches the Ka for hydrofluoric acid.

13. Halfway to the equivalence point in a weak base – strong acid titration:
pOH of the solution = pKb of the weak base being titrated
Thus pKb for weak base = 14.00 - 9.50 = 4.50 and so Kb = 10-4.50 = 3.2 x 10-5
(2. sig. digits)

© Edvantage Interactive 2012-09-20 44

14.
(a) 0.20 M NaOH

(b) 0.10 NH3

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   Equivalence  Point  
Equivalence  Point                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      

                                                                                                                                                                                   Volume  0.10  M  HCl  

Appropriate indicators for titration (a) would be bromthymol blue or phenol red.
An appropriate indicator for titration (b) would be methyl red.

15.
(a)

(b) Selecting a diprotic indicator with pKa 1 and pKa 2 values close to the first and second
equivalence point pH values respectively would be appropriate. Alternatively, monitoring
the pH during the titration with a pH meter would be advisable.

© Edvantage Interactive 2012-09-20 45

Section 5.5 Non-metal and Metal Oxides in Water

Warm Up
1.
(a) Elements from Groups 1 and 17 will form the most ionic compounds because their
electronegativity differences (ΔEN) are the greatest.
(b) Elements from the upper right region of the periodic table will form the most covalent
oxides because the closer an element is to oxygen, the smaller ΔEN between that element and
oxygen will be.

2.
(a) In general, the reaction of ionic oxides with water will produce basic solutions.
(b) In general, the reaction of covalent oxides with water will produce acidic solutions.

Quick Check
1. For a metal oxide to react with water to produce a basic solution and thus be considered a
basic anhydride, the metal oxide must be both highly ionic and soluble.

2. The elements in Groups 1 and 2 (except beryllium) are the metals that satisfy these criteria.

3. The calcium oxide in the cement is a basic anhydride that will react with moisture on the
skin to produce hydroxide ions. This strong base is corrosive and will cause irritation to the
skin.

Quick Check
1. The exhaled breath contains CO2 which reacts with the water in the beaker to form
H3O+ions. This lowers the pH of the solution causing the universal indicator to change
colour.

2. No hydroxide ions are formed when covalent oxides react with water because no oxide ions
are released into water during the hydrolysis.

Practice Problems
1.
(a) K2O(s) + H2O(l)  2KOH(aq)

(b) MgO(s) + H2O(l)  Mg(OH)2(aq)

© Edvantage Interactive 2012-09-20 46

2.
(a) Al2O3 < SiO2 < P4O10 < SO3 < Cl2O7

(b) Cl2O7(aq) + H2O(l)  2HClO4(aq)

SO3(aq) + H2O(l)  H2SO4(aq)

3.
(a) In general, ionic oxides react with water to produce ionic bases.
(b) In general, molecular oxides that react with water produce acids. Acids are molecular
compounds.

Quick Check
1. The three nonmetal oxides that react with water in the atmosphere to produce acid
precipitation are NO2, SO2, and SO3.

2. The combustion of impure coal containing pyrite produces SO2 according to the following
reaction:
4FeS2(s) + 11O2(g)  2Fe2O3(s) + 8SO2(g)

3. In polluted air containing ozone, O3, and fine dust particles (especially in the presence of
sunlight), oxygen and ozone will oxidize some of the SO2 to SO3:
2SO2(g) + O2(g)  2SO3(g)
SO2(g) + O3(g)  SO3(g) + O2(g)
Sulphur trioxide now reacts with water to form the strong acid sulphuric acid:
SO3(g) + H2O(l)  H2SO4(aq)

Practice Problems
1. 2SO2(g) + O2(g)  2SO3(g)
SO3(g) + H2O(l)  H2SO4(aq)
2NO2(g) + H2O(l)  HNO3(aq) + HNO2(aq)

2. In water, hydrated aluminum ions function as weak acids according to the following:
Al(H2O)63+(aq) + H2O(l) Al(H2O)5OH2+(aq) + H3O+(aq)
Thus aluminum ions entering aquatic ecosystems lower pH levels and threaten aquatic life.

© Edvantage Interactive 2012-09-20 47

3. Scrubbing involves first blowing powdered limestone (CaCO3) into the combustion chamber
where heat decomposes it to CaO and CO2 according to the following:

CaCO3(s)  CaO(s) + CO2(g)

The calcium oxide (lime) then combines with the sulphur dioxide gas to produce solid calcium
sulphite:
CaO(s) + SO2(g)  CaSO3(s)
As a second step, to remove the CaSO3 and any unreacted SO2, an aqueous suspension of CaO is
then sprayed into the exhaust gases before they reach the smokestack to produce a thick
suspension of CaSO3 called a slurry.

5.5 Activity

Part One: The Original Document

1. Sulphur Dioxide
A. For the United States
The target permanent national emissions cap for SO2 produced by electrical utilities by the year
2010 was 8.95 million tons (8.14 million tonnes).

B. For Canada
The target total permanent national emissions cap for SO2 by the year 2000 was 3.2 million
tonnes.

2. Nitrogen Oxides
A. For the United States
The ARP set the target level for total annual NOx emissions to be 2 million tons (1.82 million
tonnes) below the 8.1 million tons (7.36 million tonnes) originally projected for the year 2000.

B. For Canada
The ARP set the target level for total annual NOx emissions for the year 2000 to be 100 000
tonnes below the 970 000 tonnes originally projected for the year 2000.

Part Two: The 2010 Progress Report

1. Sulphur Dioxide Emission Reductions
A. For Canada
(a) In 2008, Canada’s total SO2 emissions were 1.7 million tonnes. This represented 53% (or
47% below) the national cap established by the ARP.
(b) The largest source of SO2 emissions in Canada continues to be the non-ferrous smelting
and refining sector (which accounted of 39% of national SO2 emissions in 2008).

© Edvantage Interactive 2012-09-20 48

B. For the United States
(a) In 2009, the total SO2 emissions from the electric power sector were 5.7 million tons (5.18
million tonnes). This represents 63.7% of the 2010 cap of 8.95 million tons (8.17 million
tonnes) established by the ARP.
(b) The total SO2 emissions from all sources in the U.S. in 1980 were nearly 26 million tons
(23.6 million tonnes). The total emissions from all sources in the U.S. in 2008 were less than
11.4 million tons (10.4 million tonnes). The 2008 emissions from the electric power sector
represent 65.8% of that total.

2. Nitrogen Oxide Emission Reductions

A. For Canada
(a) In 2008, Canada’s total NOx emissions from stationary sources totaled 664 755 tonnes. This
represents 68.5% of the total 970 000 tonnes projected for the year 2000.
(b) Transportation sources contribute to the majority of NOx emissions and represent nearly
53% of total Canadian emissions.

B. For the United States

(a) In 2009, the total NOx emissions from stationary sources (those covered by the ARP) were
2.0 million tons (1.82 million tonnes).
(b) The actual 2009 NOx emissions of 2.0 million tons represent only 24.7% of the 8.1 million
tons projected annual NOx emissions for the year 2000.

Results and Discussion

Student answers and solutions (hopefully).

Review Questions

1.
(a) Rb2O(s) + H2O(l)  2RbOH(aq)

(b) SrO(s) + H2O(l)  Sr(OH)2(aq)

(b) SeO2(s) + H2O(l)  H2SeO3(aq)

(d) N2O5(g) + H2O(l)  2HNO3(aq)

2. CaO(s) + H2O(l)  Ca(OH)2(aq)

“Sweetening” the soil refers to increasing the alkalinity (the pH) of the soil. Moss thrives in
acidic or “sour” soil, but doesn’t grow as well in alkaline soil.

© Edvantage Interactive 2012-09-20 49

3. P4O10(s) + 6H2O(l)  4H3PO4(aq)

4. Oxygen gas and nitrogen gas will not react with each other under normal conditions of
temperature and pressure because the activation energy for the reaction is far too high.

5. Several serious problems associated with acid precipitation are:

• Aquatic ecosystems are harmed because most species of fish will perish at pH levels
below 5.
• Terrestrial plants are damaged and weakened when exposed to acidic precipitation.
• Acid precipitation contaminates the water supplies that human populations depend upon.
• The soils in many areas contain aluminum salts that are nearly insoluble in normal
groundwater, but begin to dissolve in more acidic solutions. This dissolving soil releases
the Al3+ ions into aquatic ecosystems where they lower the pH of the water and threaten
fish.
• The dissolving soil also leaches out many valuable nutrients that are lost in the runoff.
• Many buildings, monuments, and even headstones contain CaCO3 in the form of either
marble or limestone. Carbonate salts dissolve in acids and long-term exposure to acid
rain significantly degrades such structures.

6.
(a) SO3(g) + H2O(l)  H2SO4(aq)

(b) 2NO2(g) + H2O(l)  HNO3(aq) + HNO2(aq)

7. The oxides of sulphur and nitrogen that cause acid precipitation are gases that are carried into
the atmosphere. Prevailing atmospheric winds can push clouds containing these oxides great
distances from where the nonmetal oxides are actually produced.

8. Some lakes in regions where acid precipitation occurs are naturally protected because they
are bounded by soils rich in limestone. As the limestone dissolves, the hydronium ions from
acid rain cause more bicarbonate ions to form according to the following:
CO32-(aq) + H3O+(aq) HCO3-(aq) + H2O(l)
Over time, as the [HCO3-] increases, the lakes become effective bicarbonate / carbonate
buffer systems and maintain a relatively constant pH.
If a lake’s soil does not contain sufficient limestone, a temporary solution is to add CaCO3 or
CaO directly to the lake.

© Edvantage Interactive 2012-09-20 50

9. (a) The purpose of “scrubbers” in coal-burning electrical power plants and smelters is to
remove sulphur dioxide gas from the exhaust stream before the exhaust stream is released
into the atmosphere.
(b) Two problems associated with the process of scrubbing are:
(i) The process is expensive and consumes a great deal of energy.
(ii) Because no use has yet been found for the CaSO3, the great quantities of this
compound that are produced by the process are usually buried in landfills.

10. A catalytic converter significantly reduces the levels of nitrogen oxides released into the
atmosphere by using catalytic materials such as transition metal oxides and palladium or
platinum metals to convert gaseous nitrogen oxides in the exhaust stream to nitrogen and
oxygen gas before it leaves the tailpipe. The catalyzed reaction can be represented as follows:
2NOx(g)  xO2(g) + N2(g)
(The value of “x” is either “1” or “2”)

11. Gaseous ammonia can lower NOx emissions when it is reacted with the hot stack gases
to produce nitrogen and water vapour according to the following reaction:
4NO(g) + 4NH3(g) + O2(g)  4N2(g) + 6H2O(l)

© Edvantage Interactive 2012-09-20 51