Strong Acids

Strength of an acid the degree of ionisation or

dissociation of the acid in water.
Strong acid an acid which ionises / dissociates
completely in water to form high concentration of
hydrogen ions (H+).
Example of strong acid: Mineral acid hydrochloric
acid (HCl), nitric acid (HNO3) and sulphuric acid
(H2SO4).
Example of the strong acid reaction in water: HCl(aq)
> H+(aq) + Cl-(aq) (The concentration of hydrogen
ions is equal to the concentration of hydrochloric acid)

 Weak Acids
Weak acid an acid which ionises / dissociates
partially in water to form low concentration of
hydrogen ions (H+).
Example of weak acid: ethanoic acid (CH 3COOH)
and methanoic acid (HCOOH)
Example of the weak acid reaction in water:
CH3COOH <-> CH3COO-(aq) + H+(aq) {The
concentration of hydrogen ions is low and the
ions (CH3COO- and H+) reacts to reform the
ethanoic acid molecule = reversible reaction}

 Strong Alkalis
Strength of an alkali the degree of ionisation or dissociation of the
alkali in water.
Strong alkali an alkali which ionises / dissociates completely in water
to form high concentration of hydroxide ions (OH ).
Example of strong alkali: Sodium hydroxide (NaOH) solution, potassium
hydroxide (KOH) solution and barium hydroxide (Ba(OH) 2) solution.
Example of the strong alkali reaction in water: NaOH(aq) > Na +(aq) +
OH-(aq)
Weak Alkalis
Weak alkali an alkali which ionises / dissociates partially in water to
form low concentration of hydroxide ions (OH ).
Example of weak alkali: ammonia (NH3) solution.
Example of the weak alkali reaction in water: NH3(g) + H2O(l) <->
NH4+(aq) + OH- (aq)

 Concentration of Acids and Alkalis

Quantity of solute can be measured in grams or moles: g dm -3 or
mol dm-3.
Concentration (g dm-3) = mass of solute (g) / volume of solution
(dm3)
Concentration (mol dm-3) = number of moles of solute (mol) /
volume of solution (dm3)
Relationship between Number of Moles with Molarity and
Volume of a Solution
Molarity (mol dm-3) = number of moles of solution (mol) /
volume of solution (dm3)
M = molarity of solution (mol dm-3), V = Volume of solution
(dm3), n = Number of moles of solute (mol)
M = n/V

 Preparation of Standard Solutions

Standard solution = a solution in which its concentration is
accurately known.
Standard solution is prepared by using volumetric flask with a
fixed volume (100 cm3, 200 cm3, 250 cm3, 500 cm3 and 1000 cm3)
Preparation of a Solution by Dilution Method
Dilution = a process of diluting a concentrated solution by adding
a solvent (water) to obtain a more diluted solution.
The concentration of the solution decreases after dilution.
The number of moles of solute in the solution remains unchanged
after dilution.
(MaVa) / 1000 = (MbVb) / 1000
Ma = Initial molarity of solution, Mb = Final molarity of solution, Va
= Initial volume of solution and Vb = Final volume of solution

 Relationship between pH Values and Molarities

of Acids or Alkalis
pH values depends on degree of dissociation and
molarity / concentration of hydrogen ions, H +/
hydroxide ions, OH- in the solution.
The higher the molarity of a strong acid, the lower is
its pH value.
The higher the molarity of a strong alkali, the higher
is its pH value.
The molarity of an acid can be changed when (i)
water is added, (ii) an acid of different concentration
is added and (iii) an alkali is added.

 Neutralisation
Neutralisation = a reaction between an acid and a base/alkali to produce salt and
water only.
Acid + alkali > salt + water
Ionic equation of neutralisation: H+(aq) + OH-(aq) > H2O(l)
Application of Neutralisation Reactions in Daily Life
Digestive juices in stomach Break up food (only in acidic condition) and
maintained at pH of between 1 and 2, Insect stings Bees and ants inject an acidic
liquid into the skin but wasps inject an alkaline liquid. Toothpaste An alkaline
compound (magnesium hydroxide) in toothpastes neutralises the organic acids
produced by the food. pH of the swimming pool Calcium hypochlorite, Ca(OCl) 2 is
added to the water. Latex industries Ammonia is used to neutralise the organic
acid produces by bacteria to prevent coagulation. Neutralisation Manufacture
fertilisers, soaps and detergents Effluent from factories It can be treated with
lime. Sulphuric acid Manufacture of dyes, explosives, steel, fertilisers, paints and
plastics. Soil treatment Plants grow best when the pH of the soil is about 7. The
soil is too acidic, quick lime (calcium oxide) or slaked lime (calcium hydroxide) is
added to the soil to neutralise the excess acid.

 Acid-base Titration
Titration a quantitative analysis method to determine the volume of an
acid that is required to neutralise a fixed volume of an alkali / a
quantitative analysis method to determine the volume of an alkali that is
required to neutralise a fixed volume of an acid.
End point of a titration a point which neutralisation occurs when the
acid has completely neutralised the alkali / the alkali has completely
neutralised the acid.
Reactants: Acid and alkali
Products: Salt and water
End point can be determined by (i) the use of acid-base indicators during
titration, (ii) measuring the pH values of the solution during titration and
(iii) measuring the electrical conductivity of solution during titration.
Indicator Alkali Neutral Acid Litmus Blue Orange Red Methyl
orange Yellow Orange Red Phenolphthalein Pink Colourless Colourless