Weak Acid/Base Titration Calculations: For every titration of a weak acid/base with a strong base/acid, there exists four

different types of calculations: 1. Before titration begins. This is when only the initial acid/base exists. To calculate: Ka = [H30+][A-]/[HA] or Kb = [OH-][HA]/[A-] pH = -log[H30+] = 14-pOH pOH = -log[OH-] 2. Before titration with strong base/acid overwhelms the initial reagent. To calculate: Henderson-Hasselbach equation: lo g ([A-]/[HA]) Note that doing this calculation with the moles of A- and HA will yield the same value as doing the calculation with the molarity of each, as molarity is defined as moles of substance/liters of reaction, and the liters of reaction will cancel. 3. Equivalence point. This is when the moles of initial reagent present equal the moles of the titrant, and the pH is determined by the concentration and K of the conjugate base/acid of the initial reagent. To calculate: Calculate molarity of conjugate (this should be the same as the initial concentration weak acid/base to be titrated.) Using the same equation as in 1, calculate the pH using the K a /Kb of this conjugate. Sample calculation:

OH- " J .003 c -.003

F

MA .00 3 -003 0

/V Q +.003 .005"? I

(Vvo/e

a)

KjofC'.

.oo3 .06 u

A'
I: .Ob C 1 - -x p-. . O f e X

O
4-7C

OH O
H v VC

06

4. Overshoot. This is when the titration solution overwhelms the initial reagent. To calculate: Find leftover concentration of strong titrant. This should be moles of initial reagent subtracted from moles of strong titrant, divided by the total reaction volume. Calculate the pH using this concentration (by way of pOH if applicable), ignoring any conjugate of the initial reagent.

12

10

p-f
pH

P-

10

20

30

40

mL of strong base (titrant)

Figure: Titration curve of a weak acid with a strong base. The curve/slope depends on the K a /Kb of the initial reagent.