Acids and Bases Flashcards

Acids and Bases Study Notes

• An acid is classified as an electrolyte, capable of conducting electricity when dissolved in water.
• According to the Arrhenius definition, a base generates hydroxide ions (OH-) when in aqueous solution.
• In aqueous solutions, an H+ ion more accurately exists as a hydronium ion (H3O+).
• Substances that can function as either an acid or a base are termed amphoteric.
• A strong acid in solution is characterized by complete ionization, meaning it dissociates fully into its ions.
• The acid dissociation constant (Ka) quantifies the strength of a weak acid based on its equilibrium concentration of ions.
• When an acid reacts with a base in equal molar amounts, the products are water and a soluble salt.
• According to Bronsted-Lowry theory, an acid acts as a proton donor, transferring H+ ions to other substances.
• Sulfuric acid (H2SO4) is classified as a diprotic acid, capable of donating two protons.
• A neutral solution is characterized by equal concentrations of hydronium and hydroxide ions, expressed as [H3O+] = [OH-].
• In pure water at 25°C, the concentration of hydroxide ions ([OH-]) is 1.0 x 10^-7 M.
• An acidic solution has a pH value that is lower than seven, indicating a higher concentration of hydronium ions.
• The product of the concentrations of H3O+ and OH- in water is known as Kw, the ion product constant for water.
• A drop in pH from 3 to 2 indicates that the concentration of H3O+ has increased by a factor of 10.
• Phenolphthalein serves as a common pH indicator, changing color based on pH levels.
• A buffer solution consists of either a weak acid and its conjugate base or a weak base and its conjugate acid, providing resistance to changes in pH.
• In titration, the end point, where the indicator changes color, should ideally coincide with the equivalence point, where the reactants are in stoichiometric proportions.
• The base ionization constant (Kb) determines the degree of ionization of a weak base in aqueous solution.
• A solution with a pOH of 8 is classified as acidic, with a corresponding relatively low pH.
• A buret is the apparatus used to precisely measure and dispense liquid in titrations.