6.3.1
Strong Acids & Bases
Strong vs Weak Bases
Strong vs Weak Bases
Bases are metallic oxides or hydroxides (or ammonia) that neutralize acids to form salt and water. An alkali is a soluble base - one that dissolves in water.


Strong base
Strong base
- Group I hydroxides, such as aqueous sodium hydroxide and potassium hydroxide are examples of strong bases.
- Strong bases fully ionize in aqueous solutions.
- NaOH(aq) → Na+(aq) + OH-.
- KOH(aq) → K+(aq) + OH-.
- As strong bases fully ionize, the initial concentration of a strong base equals the concentration of OH- ions.
- For example, 1M KOH gives 1M OH- ions.


Group II hydroxides
Group II hydroxides
- Group II hydroxides are also strong bases. An example is Ca(OH)2.
- Due to stoichiometry, 1M of a group II hydroxide gives 2M OH- ions.
- For example, 1M Ca(OH)2 gives 2M OH- ions.


Weak base
Weak base
- Weak bases don't fully ionize in aqueous solutions.
- Ammonia solution is an example of a weak base.
- It exists mainly as NH3 molecules. Only a few of these react with water molecules to form ions.
- NH3(aq) + H2O(l) ⇌ NH4+(aq) + OH-(aq).
Strong vs Weak Acids
Strong vs Weak Acids
Acids are proton donors that neutralize bases to form salt and water. An acid can be strong or weak - this will affect its dissociation.


Strong acid
Strong acid
- Aqueous HCl, HBr, HI, HClO4, HNO3 and H2SO4 are examples of strong acids.
- Strong acids fully ionize in aqueous solutions.
- HCl(aq) + H2O(l) → H3O+(aq) + Cl-
- HNO3(aq) + H2O(l) → H3O+(aq) + NO3-
- As strong acids fully ionize, the initial concentration of a monoprotic strong acid equals the concentration of H3O+ ions.
- For example, 1M HCl gives 1M H3O+ ions.


Diprotic acids
Diprotic acids
- Diprotic strong acids ionize to give two hydronium ions in solution. An example is H2SO4.
- Due to stoichiometry, 1M of a diprotic acid gives 2M H3O+ ions.
- For example, 1M H2SO4 gives 2M H3O+ ions.


Weak acids
Weak acids
- Weak acids don't fully ionize in aqueous solutions.
- Acetic acid is an example of a weak acid.
- Acetic acid exists mainly as CH3COOH molecules. Only a few of these react with water molecules to form ions.
- CH3COOH(aq) + H2O(l) ⇌ H3O+(aq) + CH3COO-(aq)
1Structure - Models of the Particulate of Matter
1.1Introduction to the Particulate Model of Matter
1.2The Nuclear Atom
1.3Electron Configuration
1.4Counting Particles by Mass: The Mole
1.6Elements, Compounds & Mixtures
1.7States of Matter & Changes of State
1.8Reacting Masses &. Volumes
1.9Solutions
2Structure - Models of Bonding & Structure
2.1The Ionic Model
2.2The Covalent Model
2.3Covalent Structures
2.4The Metallic Model
2.5From Models to Materials
2.6Valence Electrons & Ionic Compounds
2.7Molecular Shape
3Structure - Classification of Matter
3.1The Periodic Table: Classification of Elements
3.2Periodic Trends
3.3Group 1 Alkali Metals
3.4Halogens
3.5Noble gases, group 18
3.6Functional Groups: Classification of Organic
3.7Functional Group Chemistry
3.8Alkanes
3.9Alcohols
4Reactivity - What Drives Chemical Reaction?
4.1Endothermic & Exothermic Reactions
4.2Enthalpy of Reaction, Formation, & Hess' Law
5Reactivity - How Much, How Fast & How Far?
5.1Kinetics
5.2Rates of Reaction
5.3Stoichometry
5.4Le Châtelier’s Principle
5.5Introduction to Equilibrium
5.6Equilibrium Constant
5.7Reaction Quotient & Equilibrium Constant
6Reactivity - The Mechanisms of Chemical Change
6.1Proton Transfer Reactions
6.2The pH Scale
6.3Strong & Weak Acids and Bases
6.4Acid Deposition
6.5Types of Organic Reactions
6.6Oxidation & Reduction
6.7Electrochemical Cells
6.9Acid-Base Titrations
6.9.1Titration Calculation Weak Acid & Strong Base
6.9.2Titration Experimental Detail
6.9.3Extended Response - Titration
6.9.4Titration Calculations
6.9.5Titration Curves
6.9.6Titration Calculation Strong Acid & Weak Base
6.9.7IB Multiple Choice - Titrations
6.9.8Polyprotic Acids
6.9.9Titration Calculations Strong Acid & Strong Base
6.9.10Titrations Curves 2
7Measurement, Data Processing & Analysis
7.1Uncertainties & Errors in Measurements & Results
7.2Graphical Techniques
7.3Spectroscopic Identification of Organic Compounds
7.4Infrared Spectroscpy
Jump to other topics
1Structure - Models of the Particulate of Matter
1.1Introduction to the Particulate Model of Matter
1.2The Nuclear Atom
1.3Electron Configuration
1.4Counting Particles by Mass: The Mole
1.6Elements, Compounds & Mixtures
1.7States of Matter & Changes of State
1.8Reacting Masses &. Volumes
1.9Solutions
2Structure - Models of Bonding & Structure
2.1The Ionic Model
2.2The Covalent Model
2.3Covalent Structures
2.4The Metallic Model
2.5From Models to Materials
2.6Valence Electrons & Ionic Compounds
2.7Molecular Shape
3Structure - Classification of Matter
3.1The Periodic Table: Classification of Elements
3.2Periodic Trends
3.3Group 1 Alkali Metals
3.4Halogens
3.5Noble gases, group 18
3.6Functional Groups: Classification of Organic
3.7Functional Group Chemistry
3.8Alkanes
3.9Alcohols
4Reactivity - What Drives Chemical Reaction?
4.1Endothermic & Exothermic Reactions
4.2Enthalpy of Reaction, Formation, & Hess' Law
5Reactivity - How Much, How Fast & How Far?
5.1Kinetics
5.2Rates of Reaction
5.3Stoichometry
5.4Le Châtelier’s Principle
5.5Introduction to Equilibrium
5.6Equilibrium Constant
5.7Reaction Quotient & Equilibrium Constant
6Reactivity - The Mechanisms of Chemical Change
6.1Proton Transfer Reactions
6.2The pH Scale
6.3Strong & Weak Acids and Bases
6.4Acid Deposition
6.5Types of Organic Reactions
6.6Oxidation & Reduction
6.7Electrochemical Cells
6.9Acid-Base Titrations
6.9.1Titration Calculation Weak Acid & Strong Base
6.9.2Titration Experimental Detail
6.9.3Extended Response - Titration
6.9.4Titration Calculations
6.9.5Titration Curves
6.9.6Titration Calculation Strong Acid & Weak Base
6.9.7IB Multiple Choice - Titrations
6.9.8Polyprotic Acids
6.9.9Titration Calculations Strong Acid & Strong Base
6.9.10Titrations Curves 2
7Measurement, Data Processing & Analysis
7.1Uncertainties & Errors in Measurements & Results
7.2Graphical Techniques
7.3Spectroscopic Identification of Organic Compounds
7.4Infrared Spectroscpy
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