HSC

Chem – Acidic III

THE ACIDIC ENVIRONMENT III

HW SOLUTIONS

Section I
1 C 6 D 11 B
2 A 7 D 12 C
3 B 8 D 13 C
4 C 9 A 14 D
5 C 10 D 15 A

4 (C)

𝑝𝐻 = − log)* 𝐻 +
𝐻 + = 10./0
= 10.1
= 0.01

Now that we know the concentration of the original, we use the following relationship to
determine the concentration of the diluted solution.

𝑐) 𝑉) = 𝑐1 𝑉1
0.01 𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝐿 ×6×10.; 𝐿 = 𝑐1 ×250×10.; 𝐿
.)

𝑐1 = 2.4 ×10.? 𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝐿.)

𝑝𝐻 = − log)* [2.4×10.? ]
= 3.6196 …
∴ 𝑝𝐻 = 3.6

6 (D)

𝑝𝐻 = − log)* 𝐻 +
𝐻 + = 10./0
= 10;.FG
= 4.47 …×10;
∴ 𝐻 + = 4.5 ×10;

HSC Chem – Acidic III

8 (A)

Both HCl and NaOH are strong and completely dissociate.

𝑝𝐻 = − log)* 𝐻 +
𝐻 + = 10./0
= 10.)
∴ 𝐻 + = 0.1

We know that when an acid is mixed with a base, neutralisation occurs, ie.

𝑁𝑎𝑂𝐻 LM + 𝐻𝐶𝑙 LM → 𝐻1 𝑂 Q + 𝑁𝑎𝐶𝑙 LM
∴ 𝑛 𝑁𝑎𝑂𝐻 = 𝑛 𝐻𝐶𝑙
𝑐SLT0 𝑉SLT0 = 𝑐0UQ 𝑉0UQ
0.25 𝑀×5000𝐿
𝑉0UQ =
0.1𝑀
= 1.25×10? 𝐿
= 12500𝐿

10 (D)

A change in pH of 1 means a ten-fold change in [𝐻 + ]

Degree of Ionisation is calculated as the fraction of acid molecules that have been ionised
Amines are a type of base found naturally.

13 (C)

Assuming complete ionisation, since sulfuric acid is a diprotic acid:

𝐻 + = 2×5×10.;
= 1×10.1
𝑝𝐻 = − log)* 𝐻 +
= − log)* [1 ×10.1 ]
∴ 𝑝𝐻 = 2

HSC Chem – Acidic III

Section II
16

a)

1 • Identifies that acid is a proton donor

b)

1 • Identifies a strong acid:

- no neutral acid molecules present
- ionisation reaction goes to completion
1 • Identifies a weak acid:
- some ionised hydrogen ions
- ionisation reaction does not go to completion, an equilibrium results
1 • Uses a diagram to illustrate the difference

A strong acid is one in which all the acid present in solution has ionized to hydrogen ions:
there are no neutral acid molecules present. In a strong acid, the ionisation reaction goes to
completion. Whereas in a weak acid, only some of the acid molecules present in solution have
ionised to form hydrogen ions. In a weak acid, the ionisation reaction does not go to
completion but rather comes to an equilibrium.

A strong acid A weak acid

+ +
- + + -
-

- + -
+ -

c)

1 • Correctly identities a weak acid

1 • Correctly constructs an equation showing the dissociation
- species must be complete
- equation must be balanced
- must have a reversible arrow

+
Acetic acid – 𝐻𝐶1 𝐻; 𝑂1(LM) ⇌ 𝐻(LM) + 𝐶1 𝐻; 𝑂1 .
(LM)

HSC Chem – Acidic III

d)

1 • Correctly identities a strong acid

1 • Correctly constructs an equation showing the dissociation
- species must be complete
- equation must be balanced
- must not have a reversible arrow

+ .
Hydrochloric acid – 𝐻𝐶𝑙(LM) → 𝐻(LM) + 𝐶𝑙(LM)

e)

1 • Defines strength of acid and what a weak acid is

1 • Defines concentration and what a dilute acid is
1 • Uses examples to illustrate the difference

The strength of an acid depends on its degree of ionisation. Weak acids have a low degree of
ionisation, which means there are still many neutral molecules in solution when dissolved. An
example is a 1M solution of acetic acid. The concentration of an acid qualitatively describes
the concentration of solute species (ions and molecules) and is independent of its strength. A
dilute solution is one in which the total concentration of solute species is relatively low, for
example, 0.01M HCl.

17

a)

2 • Correctly identifies the results for at least 2 indicators

1 • Correctly identifies the result when using a pH metre

The expected results when testing the pH of water using various indicators and the pH metre
are tabulated below:

Methyl Orange Bromothymol Blue Phenolphthalein pH

Distilled Water Orange to yellow No change Colourless 7

b)

1 • Correctly defines pH

The pH scale is used to measure hydrogen ion (or H3O+) concentration. This can be used to
give an indication of the degree of acidity or basicity of a substance. pH can be defined as the
negative logarithm (to base 10) of the hydrogen ion concentration.

HSC Chem – Acidic III

18

1 • Procedure must include naming of ALL equipment needed to carry out task (eg.
test tubes, indicators, pipettes, etc)
2 • Procedure must be written in a logical sequence
1 • Controls variables

A possible procedure follows:

1. 5mL of each of the solutions was poured into separate test tubes.
2. The pH meter was removed from its storage solution and the sensitive end was washed
with distilled water
3. The probe was immersed each of the solutions. Care was taken in washing the probe with
distilled water after every reading.
4. Using dropper bottles or pipettes, 4 drops (where appropriate) of each of the following
indicators were placed on a spot plate: litmus paper, methyl orange, bromothymol blue
and phenolphthalein.
5. Using a dropper bottle, 3 drops of each of the solutions were added to each of the
indicators. The resultant colour changes were recorded.

19

a)

1 • Correctly writes an equation to show the ionisation of acetic acid

. +
𝐶𝐻; 𝐶𝑂𝑂𝐻(LM) + 𝐻1 𝑂(Q) 𝐶𝐻; 𝐶𝑂𝑂(LM) + 𝐻; 𝑂(LM)

HSC Chem – Acidic III

b)

1 • Correctly finds the number of moles of sodium carbonate

1 • Correctly finds the concentration
1 • Correctly finds the pH of the solution

First, find the number of moles of sodium carbonate:

𝑚 𝐶𝐻; 𝐶𝑂𝑂𝐻(LM) = 3𝑔
3𝑔
𝑛(𝐶𝐻; 𝐶𝑂𝑂𝐻(LM) ) =
60𝑔𝑚𝑜𝑙 .)
= 0.05 𝑚𝑜𝑙𝑒𝑠

Then, calculate the concentration

𝑛
𝑐=
𝑉
0.05𝑚𝑜𝑙
=
3𝐿
= 0.01666𝑀

𝑝𝐻 = −log (0.1666)
= 1.778
≈ 1.8

HSC Chem – Acidic III

c)

1 • Correctly finds the number of moles of sodium hydroxide

1 • Correctly finds the concentration
1 • Correctly finds the pH of the solution

First, find the number of moles of sodium hydroxide:

𝑚 𝑁𝑎𝑂𝐻(LM) = 2𝑔
1_
𝑛(𝑁𝑎𝑂𝐻(LM) ) =
;`.``a _bcQ de
= 0.0500025𝑚𝑜𝑙

Then, calculate the concentration

𝑛
𝑐=
𝑉
0.500025𝑚𝑜𝑙
=
2𝐿
= 0.02500125𝑀
= 0.03 𝑀 1 𝑠𝑖𝑔 𝑓𝑖𝑔
𝑝𝑂𝐻 = −𝑙𝑜𝑔)* 0.03
= 1.5228 …
𝑝𝐻 = 14 − 𝑝𝑂𝐻
= 12.477 …
= 12

HSC Chem – Acidic III

d)

1 • Correctly finds the sum of the hydroxide ions

1 • Uses the identity of c=n/V
1 • Finds pOH
1 • Finds pH

First, find total number of hydroxide ions

𝑛hijkclmjn = 0.028304557 … 𝑚𝑜𝑙 + 0.0500025𝑚𝑜𝑙

= 0.078307057 … 𝑚𝑜𝑙
𝑛
𝑐=
𝑉
0.078307057 … 𝑚𝑜𝑙
=
5𝐿
𝑝𝑂𝐻 = 0.0156614 … 𝑚𝑜𝑙
= − log)* 0.0156614 …
= 1.805169 …
𝑝𝐻 = 14 − 𝑝𝑂𝐻
= 12.1948 …
= 12

20

a)

1 • Recognises HCl is strong, citric is weak

1 • Links the strength of acids to pH

Hydrochloric acid is a strong acid and completely dissociates. Citric acid is a weaker acid and
does not completely dissociate, hence there are not as many hydrogen ions in solutions. As
pH measures the concentration of hydrogen ions as a negative logarithmic (to base 10)
function, the acid with lesser hydrogen ions has a higher pH.

HSC Chem – Acidic III

b)

1 • Identifies relationship between KOH and HCl

1 • Identifies relationship between number of moles, concentration and volume
1 • Correctly finds the required volume

Both HCl and KOH are strong and completely dissociate. We know that when an acid is mixed
with a base, neutralisation occurs, ie.

𝐾𝑂𝐻 LM + 𝐻𝐶𝑙 LM → 𝐻1 𝑂 Q + 𝐾𝐶𝑙 LM
∴ 𝑛 𝐾𝑂𝐻 = 𝑛 𝐻𝐶𝑙
𝑐pT0 𝑉pT0 = 𝑐0UQ 𝑉0UQ
0.1 𝑀×250 ×10.; 𝐿
∴ 𝑉pT0 =
0.025𝑀
= 1.00 𝐿 (3 𝑠𝑖𝑔 𝑓𝑖𝑔𝑠)

c)

1 • Identifies the systematic name

2-hydroxypropane-1,2,3-tricarboxylic acid

d)

1 • Correctly constructs equation demonstrating reaction

𝐻; 𝐶F 𝐻a 𝑂q LM + 𝐾𝑂𝐻 LM → 3𝐻1 𝑂 Q + 𝐾; 𝐶F 𝐻a 𝑂F LM

HSC Chem – Acidic III

e)

1 • Recognises citric acid is a triprotic acid

1 • Recognises that citric acid is a weak acid
1 • Links to fact solution is not neutral

The solution would not be neutral.

When the potassium hydroxide is added, a neutralisation reaction will occur. However, we
know the citric acid is triprotic (ie. 3 times the hydrogen atoms that can be donated compared
to an identical volume and concentration HCl), so the citric acid will not be completely
neutralised. In effect the neutralisation reaction explained in part (d) will not occur to
completion. It is unlikely that all 3 hydrogen will be donated as the donation of each positively
charged hydrogen ion results in the citric acid molecule becoming more negative making the
hydrogen ions more difficult to remove. Instead, the neutralisation reaction will more likely
form the -1 ion as shown in the following reaction:

. .
𝐻1 𝐶F 𝐻G 𝑂q(LM) + 𝐻1 𝑂(Q) ⇌ 𝐻; 𝐶F 𝐻G 𝑂q(LM) + 𝑂𝐻(LM)

+
Also, since citric acid is a very weak acid and the concentration of 𝐻; 𝐶F 𝐻G 𝑂q(LM) is low (due
to neutralisation reaction), the tendency for the forward reaction would be significantly
greater than the backwards reaction, resulting in more hydroxide ions and thus basic pH.

21

a)

1 • Correctly finds the number of hydrogen ions

1 • Correctly finds the degree of ionisation
1 • Correct to 2 sig figs

Firstly we calculate the [H+] in solution:

𝐻 + = 10./0
= 10.1.q
= 1.95000 … x 10.; 𝑚𝑜𝑙/𝑙

H; O+ in solution
𝐷. 𝑂. 𝐼 = x 100
acid
1.95000 … x 10.;
= x 100
0.15
∴ Degree of Ionisation = 1.3%

HSC Chem – Acidic III

b)

1 • States it is a weak acid

1 • Identifies a weak acid

From the degree of ionisation, we can see that this acid is a weak acid. A possible identity of
this acid is citric acid. [Citric acid has a degree of ionisation of 8%]

22

3 • Identifies at least THREE uses of acids as food additives

3 • Justifies and explains their use

Acids are often added to food during manufacturing or processing. There are several reasons
for this:

• Acids lower the pH of the food and its container which has the effect of killing micro-
organisms such as bacteria. This preserves the food, increasing its shelf life and making it
safer to eat (e.g. propanoic acid)
• Acids can act as anti-oxidants and so prevent spoilage by slowing the oxidation of oils (e.g.
citric acid, phosphoric acid).
• Acids may be added to improve the taste of foods by adding a certain flavour (e.g. acetic
acid or vinegar, and citric acid)
• Acids can also be added to improve nutrient content (e.g. ascorbic acid or vitamin C)

HSC Chem – Acidic III

23

a)

2 • Correctly states the equations of dissociation for both solutions

2 • Relates this to conductivity of electricity for both solutions

Electrical conductivities are directly related to the number of ions in solution.

. +
𝐻𝐶𝑙(LM) + 𝐻1 𝑂 → 𝐶𝑙(LM) + 𝐻; 𝑂(LM)

As HCl is a strong acid, it completely ionises, resulting in plenty of ions in solution to conduct
the electricity.

𝑁𝐻; _ + 𝐻1 𝑂(Q) ⇌ 𝑁𝐻?+ LM + 𝑂𝐻(LM)

.

As 𝑁𝐻; is a weak base, it only partially ionises and there are not enough resulting ions in
solution to conduct electricity well.

b)

1 • Correctly states the reaction between HCI and 𝑁𝐻;

- correct states
- identifies NH4Cl is a solid
1 • Relates this to conductivity of electricity

The reaction proceeds as shown in the following equation:

𝐻𝐶𝑙(LM) + 𝑁𝐻; _ → 𝑁𝐻? 𝐶𝑙(†)

As the product is an ionic solid, the ions are fixed and are unable to conduct electricity.

HSC Chem – Acidic III

24

3 • Identifies at least THREE naturally occurring acids

3 • Identifies at least THREE naturally occurring bases

Substance Composition Acid/Base

Hydrochloric Acid:
𝐻𝐶𝑙 Acid
Occurs as stomach acid in humans
Acetic Acid (ethanoic acid):
𝐶𝐻; 𝐶𝑂𝑂𝐻 Acid
Main component in vinegar
Citric Acid: 𝐶F 𝐻a 𝑂q
Acid
Occurs in the fruits of citrus plants
Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C):
Found in many fruits and vegetables and necessary 𝐶F 𝐻a 𝑂F Acid
for a healthy diet.
Ammonia:
A by-product of protein/amino acid reactions in
the body. Formed by the anaerobic decay of
𝑁𝐻; Base
organic matter. Also manufactured and used in the
manufacture of fertilisers, nitric acid, chemicals
and as a cleaning agent.
Amines:
𝑅 − 𝑁𝐻1 Base
Formed by the anaerobic decay of organic matter.
Metallic Oxides: Ionic compounds of
Found in the Earth’s lithosphere. Ore source from a metal and oxygen Base
which metals can be extracted (e.g. 𝐹𝑒1 𝑂; )
Carbonates:
𝐶𝑎𝐶𝑂;
Used in the manufacture of paper, glass, soaps, Base
𝑁𝑎1 𝐶𝑂;
detergents and water treatment.

End of paper