Revision notes for Advanced Higher Chemistry

Acid/Base Equilibria
The Bronsted-Lowry concept of acids and bases defines acids as proton
donators and bases as proton acceptors.
The transfer of protons need not occur in aqueous solution.

Acid Equilibrium

HA ↔ H+ + A-

HA is an acid because it is a proton donor

A- is a conjucate base because it is a proton acceptor

Base Equilibria
B + H+ ↔ BH+

B is a base because it is a proton acceptor

BH+ is a conjugate acid because it is a proton donator

Combining these we get a general equation for acid-base equilibria:

HA + B ↔ BH+ + A-

Every acid has a conjugate base and every base has a conjugate acid.

Water in acid-base equilibria

A water molecule is capable of accepting and donating protons. It has
both acidic and basic properties. It is amphoteric.
An H+ ion is a proton. In aqueous solution it is hydrated via a lone pairs of
electrons on the water molecules. It is called the hydronium ion and has
the chemical formula H3O+.

The ionic product of water, Kw, is an equilibrium constant for the

dissociation of water:

H2O + H2O ↔ H3O+ + OH-

and takes the form:

Revision notes for Advanced Higher Chemistry

Kw = [H3O+] [OH-] = 1 x 10-14 (at 25ºC)

Like all equilibrium constants it varies with temperature.

Dissociation of acids

For all acids, a dissociation can be represented in the form:

HA(aq) + H2O(l) ↔ H3O+(aq) + A-(aq)

The equilibrium (or dissociation) constant, Ka, takes the form:

Ka = [H3O+] [A-]
[HA]

For strong acids Ka is very large and the equilibrium lies almost entirely to
the side of the products.
A measure of the strength of an acid can therefore be determined
from its Ka.
This constant can be expressed as a pKa, where pKa = -logKa
A low pKa therefore represents a strong acid.

To calculate the pH of a strong acid solution, pH = -log[H+]

To calculate the pH of a weak acid solution, pH = ½pKa – ½logc

In general, as the strength of an acid increases, the strength of the

conjugate base decreases.

Dissociation of bases
For all bases, a dissociation can be represented in the form:

B(aq) + H2O(l) ↔ BH+(aq) + OH-(aq)

The dissociation of the conjugate acid is represented:

BH+(aq) + OH-(aq) ↔ B(aq) + H3O+(aq)

The dissociation constant, Ka, for this conjugate acid takes the form:

Ka = [H3O+] [B]
Revision notes for Advanced Higher Chemistry

[BH+]

The smaller the Ka, the weaker the conjugate acid and hence the stronger
the base.