Tutorial: Acids and Bases Solutions
1. In the Brønsted–Lowry definition of acids and bases, an acid is a what?
is a proton donor
2. In the Brønsted–Lowry definition of acids and bases, a base is a what?
is a proton acceptor
3. In the following reaction in aqueous solution, the acid reactant is __________ and its conjugate
base product is __________? CH3COOH + NH3 CH3COO– + NH4+
–
CH3COOH; CH3COO
4. What is the conjugate acid of the hydrogen phosphate ion, HPO 42–?
H2PO4–
5. A solution with pH of 9.50 has a pOH of __4.50______
pH + pOH = 14
pOH = 14 – pH
pOH = 14 – 9.50 = 4.50
6. A solution with an [OH–] concentration of 1.20 × 10–7M has a pOH and pH of 6.92 and 7.08
pOH = -log [OH-]
pOH = -log [1.20 × 10–7] = 6.92
pH + pOH = 14
pH = 14 – pOH
pH = 14 – 6.92 = 7.08
Strong Acids
Strong acids completely dissociate into ions in aqueous solution. Therefore, calculating the pH of
a solution of a strong monoprotic acid is straightforward because [H+] equals to the
concentration of the acid
1
7. What is the pH of a 0.020M solution of HNO3?
pH = -log [H+]
= -log [0.020]
pH = 1.70
8. An aqueous solution of HCL has a pH of 1.12. What is the concentration of this acid?
[HCl] = [H+] = 10 -1.12 = 7.59 x 10 -2M
Strong Bases
Strong bases also completely dissociate into ions in aqueous solution. Thus, calculating the pH of
their solutions is also straightforward.
9. What is the pH of a 0.028M NaOH solution?
pOH = -log [OH]
pOH = -log [0.028] = 1.55
pH + pOH = 14
pH =14 – 1.55
pH = 12.45
10. What is the pH of a 0.0011M Ca(OH)2 solution?
pOH = -log [OH]
pOH = -log [0.0011] = 2.96
pH + pOH = 14
pH =14 – 2.96
pH = 11.04
11. What is the concentration of a solution of KOH for a pH of 11.89?
pH + pOH = 14
pOH = 14 – pH
= 14 – 11.89 = 2.11
[KOH] = [OH-] = 10 - pOH
So therefore [OH-] = 10 -2.11 = 7.76 x 10-3 M
12. What is the concentration of a solution of Ca(OH) 2 for its pH is 11.68?
pH + pOH = 14
pOH = 14 – pH
= 14 – 11.68 = 2.32
[OH-] = 10 - pOH
So therefore [OH-] = 10 -2.32 = 4.79 x 10 -3 M / 2 moles of OH-
[Ca (OH)2] = 2.40 x 10-3M
Calculating Ka and percent Ionization from measured pH
13. A solution of 0.10M of formic acid was prepared by a chemist who measured its pH and found it
to be 2.38 at 25C. a) Calculate Ka for formic acid at this temperature. b) What percentage of the
acid is ionized in this 0.10M solution? 4 marks
+ -
HCOOH (aq) H (aq) + HCOO (aq)
HCOOH H+ HCOO-
I 0.10 0 0
(mol/L)
C -4.16 x 10-3 +4.16 x 10-3 +4.16 x 10-3
(mol/L)
E 0.096 4.16 x 10-3 4.16 x 10-3
(mol/L)
14. Calculate the pH of a 0.30M solution of acetic acid (HC 2H3O2) at 25C. What percentage of the
acid is ionized in this 0.30M solution? The Ka for acetic acid is 1.8 x 10 -5 4 marks
15. A 0.10M solution of lactic acid (HC 3H5O3) has a pH of 2.44. Calculate Ka and the percentage of
the acid that is ionized. 4 marks
16. Calculate the pH of a 0.20M solution of HCN. What percentage of the acid is ionized in this
solution? The Ka for HCN acid is 4.9 x 10 -10 4 marks
17. What is the pH of 2.5 x 10-2M acetic acid (Ka = 1.8 x 10-5)
18. Boric acid frequently is used as an eyewash to treat eye infections. The pH of a 0.050 M solution
of boric acid is 5.28. What is the value of the boric acid ionization constant, Ka?
19. The acidic ingredient in vinegar is acetic acid. The pH of vinegar is around 2.4, and the molar
concentration of acetic acid in vinegar is around 0.85 M. Based on this information, determine
the value of the acid ionization constant, Ka, for acetic acid.
20. The pH of a popular soft drink is 3.4; what is its hydronium ion concentration?
pH = -log[H3O+]
[H3O+] = 10 -pH = 10 -3.4
[H3O+] = 4.0 × 10–4 M
