Chapter 15:

Acids and Bases

1
 Overview and Learning Objectives

• Define acids and bases using Bronsted-Lowry concept

• Identify conjugate acids and bases in aqueous solutions
• Apply the concept of equilibrium, including common ion effects, to
weak acids and bases and determine their ionization and equilibrium
concentrations
• Explain autoionization of water and relationship between [H3O]+, [OH-],
Ka, Kb and Kw
• Calculate pH and pOH of solutions
• Predict which ions hydrolyze and whether a salt solution is acid, basic
or neutral
• Understand polyprotic acids and bases

2
 The Nature of Acids

Acids usually have the following properties:

•Sour taste
•Ability to dissolve some metals
•Ability to neutralize bases
•Contains ionizable hydrogen(s)

3
 The Nature of Bases

Bases usually have the following properties:

•Bitter taste
•Slippery feel
•Ability to neutralize acids

4
 Definitions of Acids and Bases
Arrhenius Definition:

Acids: substances that produce hydrogen ions, H+, or

equivalently, hydronium ions, H3O+, in aqueous solution.

Bases: substances that produce hydroxide ions, OH−, in

aqueous solution.

Acids and bases neutralize each other

Neutralization: H+(aq) + OH−(aq) → H2O(l)

5
 The Hydrogen Ion in Solution

• H+ is a bare proton.
• Very small, so concentrated charge density - interacts
strongly with other molecules
• Protons (H+) do not exist on their own in aqueous
solution – they interact strongly with water molecules.
• In water, H+ forms the hydronium ion, H3O+.
• H3O+ is usually hydrated by three water molecules.
• We usually use either H+ or H3O+ in equations.

6
 Bronsted-Lowry Theory
This definition focuses on acid base reactions. In such a reaction:

Acids are proton donor (acids donate H+).

Bases are proton acceptors (bases accept H+).

Examples:
HCl (aq) + H2O (l) → H3O+ (aq) + Cl- (aq)
acid
NH3 (aq) + H2O (l)  NH4+(aq) + OH−(aq) (NH3 is a base even though it doesn’t contain OH-)
base
NH3 (aq) + HCHO2  NH4+(aq) + CHO2− (aq)
base acid
7
 Amphoteric Substances
Amphoteric (also Amphiprotic) substances can act as either an acid or a base.
Examples:
H2O + H2O → H3O+ + OH−
H2O is both an acid and a base.

H2PO4− + H2O → HPO42− + H3O+

H2PO4− is an acid.

H2PO4− + H2O → H3PO4 + OH−

H2PO4− is a base.

H2O and H2PO4− are examples of amphoteric species.

Others: bicarbonate (HCO3-), amino acids (e.g. glycine)

8
 Conjugate Acids and Bases
Previously: NH3 (aq) + H2O (l) → NH4+(aq) + OH−(aq)
base acid
But the reverse reaction also happens:
NH4+(aq) + OH−(aq) → NH3 (aq) + H2O (l)
acid base

We call NH4+/NH3 a conjugate acid-base pair and can write the reaction as:
NH3 (aq) + H2O (l)  NH4+(aq) + OH−(aq)
base acid acid base

Acids and bases come in pairs. The acid has one more H+ than the base
• NH3 and NH4+ are a conjugate acid-base pair
NH4+ is the conjugate acid of NH3
NH3 is the conjugate base of NH4+
• H2O and OH− are another conjugate pair
H2O is the conjugate acid of OH−
OH− is the conjugate base of H2O
9
 Identifying Conjugate Acids and Bases
When CO2 dissolves in water, it forms the diprotic acid, carbonic acid, H2CO3.
The majority of the carbonate in the ocean is present as bicarbonate, HCO 3- ,
with a smaller fraction present as carbonate, CO32-

1. Which of the following is the conjugate base of HCO3- if it reacts with water?
a) H2CO3
b) H2O
c) CO3−

2. Which of the following is the conjugate acid of HCO3- if it reacts with water?
a) H2CO3
b) H2O
c) CO3−

10
 Identifying Conjugate Acids and Bases II

3. Which is the conjugate acid of HSO4−?

a) H3O+
b) H2SO4
c) SO42−

11
 Strong Acids
In general, an acid, HA, will react in water as follows:
HA(aq) + H2O(l)  H3O+(aq) + A-(aq)
If the equilibrium lies all the way to the right (K ≈ ∞), we have a
strong acid, and we would use a single arrow. e.g., hydrochloric
acid, HCl, dissociates completely
HCl(aq) + H2O(l)  H3O+(aq) + Cl-(aq)

If we put 1 mole of HCl into a volume of water, it would ionize

(dissociate) completely, giving 1 mole of H3O+(aq) and Cl-(aq) each.

12
 Weak Acids
In water, a weak acid only partially dissociates (ionizes), so we need
to use an equilibrium constant to perform calculations

HF(aq) + H2O(l)  H3O+(aq) + F −(aq) Ka (acid ionization constant)

• The magnitude of Ka, and thus the acid strength, depends on many
factors related to the chemical structure of the acid
• Any acid not in the strong acid table can be considered “weak”

13
 Acid Ionization Constant (Ka)
For the general weak acid reaction…
HA(aq) + H2O(l)  H3O+(aq) + A-(aq)

The equilibrium constant Ka, or acid ionization constant is given by:

𝐴− 𝐻3 𝑂+
𝐾𝑎 =
𝐻𝐴

𝐹 − 𝐻3 𝑂+
For HF we have 𝐾𝑎 = = 6.3 × 10−4
𝐻𝐹
Also, we define pKa = -log Ka

For HF, pKa = -logKa = -log(6.3x10-4) = 3.20

14
pKa =

1.96 Stronger acids

3.25

3.20

3.74

4.20

4.74

7.40

9.21

9.89 Weaker acids

15
 Strong Bases
• In water, a strong base produces hydroxide (OH-) ions to a great
extent
• Usually are the soluble alkali metal hydroxides:
NaOH(aq)  Na+(aq) + OH-(aq)

• Many other metal hydroxides are poorly soluble in water, hence

they do not always act as strong bases

16
 Weak Bases and Base Ionization Constant (Kb)
With a weak base, B, we can generally write the equilibrium reaction as:
B(aq) + H2O(l)  BH+(aq) + OH-(aq)

Kb, the base ionization constant, is defined by

𝐵𝐻 + 𝑂𝐻 −
𝐾𝑏 =
𝐵

Example: ammonia (NH3) in water at 25 °C:

NH3(aq) + H2O(l)  NH4+(aq) + OH-(aq)
𝑁𝐻4+ 𝑂𝐻 −
𝐾𝑏 = = 1.76 × 10−5
𝑁𝐻3
pKb = -log Kb = -log(1.76x10-5) = 4.75

17
 Weak Bases (examples)
pKb = -log (Kb) Stronger bases

3.74
3.36
3.35
4.75

7.64
8.77
9.12

lone electron pairs Weaker bases

on N act as proton
acceptor

18
 Identifying Ionization Constants

For which reaction would the equilibrium constant be described

by Kb?

a) H2PO4− + H2O  HPO42− + H3O+

b) H2PO4− + OH−  HPO42− + H2O

c) H2PO4− + H2O  H3PO4 + OH−

19
 Identifying Ionization Constants

Now, for which reaction would the equilibrium constant be described

by Ka?

a) H2PO4− + H2O  HPO42− + H3O+

b) H2PO4− + OH−  HPO42− + H2O

c) H2PO4− + H2O  H3PO4 + OH−

20
 Bronsted-Lowry: More Acid-Base Pairs

Identify the acids & bases in the following reactions, as well as all
conjugate acid-base pairs:

a) HClO2 + H2O  ClO2- + H3O+

b) OCl- + H2O  HOCl + OH-

c) NH3 + H2PO4-  NH4+ + HPO42-

21
 Autoionization of Water
H2O(l) + H2O(l)  H3O+(aq) + OH−(aq)
also written as
H2O(l)  H+(aq) + OH−(aq)
• Water acts as both an acid and a base in this reaction.
• The equilibrium constant, Kw, for this process is know as the autoionization
constant or ion product constant
Kw = [H3O+][OH−] = 1.0×10−14 (at 25 °C)
Consequences:
• H3O+ and OH− are always present in water.
• There is a fixed relation between [H3O+] & [OH−]: high [H3O+] means low
[OH−] and vice-versa.
• In pure water, the only source of H3O+ & OH− is water, thus [H3O+] = [OH−]

22
 Autoionization of Water
H2O(l) + H2O(l)  H3O+(aq) + OH−(aq)

Kw = [H3O+][OH−] = 1.0×10−14

In pure water when [H3O+] = [OH−]

Q: Calculate [OH-] if [H3O+] = 1.0×10−5 M (100x higher than in pure water)

𝐾𝑤 1×10−14
A: from the Kw relation, we have… 𝑂𝐻 − = = = 1 × 10−9 𝑀
𝐻3 𝑂+ 1×10−5
Therefore, if [H3O+] > 1.0×10−7 M, then [OH−] < 1.0×10−7 M,
such a solution is more acidic than pure water.

23
 Autoionization of water and pH
H2O(l) + H2O(l)  H3O+(aq) + OH−(aq)

As we saw, at 25 °C Kw = [H3O+][OH−] = 1.0×10−14

In pure water, [H3O+] = [OH−] = 1.0 × 10−7 M

Q: Calculate [OH-] if [H3O+] = 1.0×10−11 M (10,000x lower than in pure water)

𝐾𝑤 1×10−14
A: from the Kw relation, we have… 𝑂𝐻 − = = = 1 × 10−3 𝑀
𝐻3 𝑂+ 1×10−11

Therefore, if [H3O+] < 1.0×10−7 M, then [OH−] > 1.0×10−7 M,

such a solution is more basic than pure water.
24
 The pH Scale
A logarithmic scale used to measure the acidity of aqueous solutions, which covers
a wide range of concentrations over many orders of magnitude.

pH is defined as: pH = −log [H3O+]

• For pure water, [H3O+] = 1.0×10−7 M, so pH = -log (1.0×10−7 ) = 7.00

This is a neutral solution.
• In acidic solutions, [H3O+] > 1.0×10−7 M, so pH < 7.00.
• In basic solutions, [H3O+] < 1.0×10−7 M, so pH > 7.00.
A note on significant figures for logs
and antilogs:

25
 Example: Calculating [H+] and [OH-] from pH
The pH of the ocean is currently about 8.07. Calculate [H3O+] and [OH-].

Answer: [H3O+] =8.5x10-9 M; [OH-] =1.2x10-6 M 26

 pOH and pKw
Similar to pH, pOH is defined as: pOH = −log[OH-]

And pKW is defined as: pKW = −log(KW)

Now [H3O+][OH−] = Kw and Kw = 1.0×10−14

Taking the negative log of both sides:

−log([H3O+] × [OH−]) = − log(Kw )
−log[H3O+] - log [OH−] = − log(1.0×10−14)
pH + pOH = 14

Therefore, pH + pOH = pKw and pH + pOH = 14

27
 Example:
After a heavy rainfall, the pH in a stormwater pond was measured to be pH = 5.25
What is the pOH? (There are two ways to calculate)

A note on significant figures for logs and antilogs:

2 sig figs past decimal place in pH = 5.25
∴ only keep 2 sig figs in the antilog when
28
Answer: 8.75 in scientific notation
 pKa and pKb
pKa is defined as follows:
pKa = −log(Ka)

Example: NH4+ + H2O  H3O+ + NH3 Ka= 5.6×10−10

→ pKa = −log(5.6×10−10) = 9.25

pKb is defined as follows:

pKb = −log(Kb)

Example: NH3 + H2O  NH4+ + OH− Kb=1.8×10−5

→ pKb = −log(1.8×10−5) = 4.75

Note that pKa + pKb = 14 for a conjugate acid-base pair in water (see next slide)
29
 Ka and Kb for Conjugate Pairs
[H3O+][NH3]
Acid: NH4 + H2O 
+ H3 O+ + NH3 Ka =
[NH4+]

[NH4+][OH−]
Base: NH3 + H2O  NH4+ + OH- Kb =
[NH3]

Water: 2 H2O  H3O+ + OH− KW = [H3O+][OH−]

[H3O+][NH3] [NH4+][OH−]
Ka × Kb = × = [H O +] [OH−] = K
[NH4+] [NH3] 3 W

Ka×Kb = KW

This is a general result that is true for any conjugate acid-base pair:
30
 Converting pKa to pKb

Ka×Kb = KW (for any conjugate acid-base pair)

Take the negative log of both sides:

-log (Ka x Kb) = -log(Kw)
-logKa – logKb = -log(1.0x10-14)
pKa + pKb = 14.00

Since pKa+ pKb= 14 (or Ka ×Kb= KW) for a conjugate acid-base pair,
The stronger the acid, the weaker its conjugate base and vice-versa
31
Strength of Conjugate Acid-Base Pair

32
Calculating [H+], [OH-], pH, pOH of Strong Acid and Base
Solutions
Strong Acids or Strong Bases: HA  H+ + A-
Strong acids completely ionize by definition, i.e., Ka is undefined.
∴ if we have a solution of a strong acid of concentration, Ca, then by stoichiometric
mass balance , it will produce hydronium ion in an equal concentration, [H+] = Ca

Assumption: The assumption in the previous statement is that the only source of H+ is
the acid. Usually this is true, but not always (i.e. in very dilute solutions of acid, water
becomes a significant source.)

Strong Acid Example: What is the pH of a hydrochloric acid if:

a) [HCl] = 0.01 M pH = -log [H+] = -log [HCl] = -log (1×10-2) = 2.0
b) [HCl] = 1×10-5 M pH = -log [H+] = -log [HCl] = -log (1×10-5) = 5.0

33
 Example: pH and pOH of Strong Base Solutions
Strong Base Example A: What is the pH, pOH, [H+] and [OH-]of a 1.0 x10-4 solution of NaOH
NaOH(aq)  Na+(aq) + OH- (aq)
Answer: [OH-] = [Na+] = 1×10-4 M
pOH = -log [OH-] = -log (1×10-4) = 4.0
pH = 14.0 – pOH = 14.0 – 4.0 = 10.0
[H+] = Kw/[OH-] = 1×10-14/1×10-4 M = 1×10-10 M

Strong Base Example B: What is the pH of a 1.0 x10-4 solution of Ba(OH)2

Ba(OH)2(aq)  Ba2+(aq) + 2 OH- (aq)
Answer:
pH = 10.3

34
 pH of Weak Acid Solutions
Use equilibrium constant to solve an ICE table to determine [H3O]+ and pH

35
 Example 15.5-modified
HCN is a weak acid, with Ka = 6.2×10-10. Find the pH of a 0.100M solution of HCN.
[H3O+] 𝐶𝑁 −
HCN(aq) + H2O(aq)  H3O (aq) + CN (aq)
+ -
𝐾𝑎 =
[HCN]

36
Answer: [H+] = 7.9 × 10−6 ; pH = 5.10 Check for approximation if used
 Example 15.7- modified
HClO2 is a weak acid, with Ka = 1.1×10-2. Find the pH of a 0.100M solution of HClO2 .
[H O +] 𝐶𝑙𝑂 −
HClO2(aq) + H2O(aq)  H3O+(aq) + ClO2- (aq) 𝐾𝑎 =
3 2
[HClO2]

37
Answer: pH = 1.55; if approximation used, error is 28%!
EXAMPLE 15.8
Finding Ka
from pH

Answer: Ka = 3.1x10-8
EXAMPLE 15.8
Finding Ka
from pH
 % Ionization of a weak acid
The acidity of a weak acid solution is a function of both its concentration and the
strength of the acid, Ka (or pKa). Both dictate the % ionization of the acid, defined as:

𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑖𝑧𝑒𝑑 𝑎𝑐𝑖𝑑 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝐻3 𝑂+ 𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑖𝑙𝑖𝑏𝑟𝑖𝑢𝑚

% 𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑖𝑧𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 = = × 100%
𝑖𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑎𝑙 𝑎𝑐𝑖𝑑 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝐻𝐴 𝑖𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑎𝑙

1) % ionization increases with an increase in Ka (or decrease in pKa).

40
 % Ionization of a weak acid-cont’d

If we use our simple approximation, we easily derive a relationship between %

ionization and Ka and Ca, which is true for most cases.
𝐻3 𝑂+ 𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑖𝑙𝑖𝑏𝑟𝑖𝑢𝑚 𝐾𝑎 𝐶𝑎
% 𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑖𝑧𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 = = × 100%
𝐻𝐴 𝑖𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑎𝑙 𝐶𝑎

𝑲𝒂
% 𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒊𝒛𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 ≈ × 𝟏𝟎𝟎%
𝑪𝒂
41
 pH of Weak Base Solutions
Perfectly analogous in methodology to the weak acid calculations, we can calculate [OH-],
pOH and pH of weak bases with an initial concentration:
B(aq) + H2O(aq)  OH- (aq)+ BH+(aq)

[OH−] 𝐵𝐻 +
Equilibrium expression: 𝐾𝑏 =
[B]

Set up ICE Table, note that x is [OH-] and Kb is used instead of Ka

42
EXAMPLE 15.12 Use equilibrium constant Kb to solve an ICE table to determine [OH-] , pOH and pH
Finding [OH-]
and pH of a
Weak Base
For Practice 15.12 - Modified
Find the [OH-] and pH of a methylamine solution of concentration 3.3×10-3 M

Answer: 11.00
 Mixture of Acids
Strong acid mixed with weak acid

• When concentrations are similar, the vast majority of H3O+comes from the
strong acid

• H3O+ production from the weak acid is suppressed by the strong acid so
contribution is extremely limited (i.e. Le Châtelier’s Principle)

HCl(aq) + H2O(l) → H3O+(aq) + Cl-(aq)

HA(aq) + H2O(l) ⇋ H3O+(aq)+ A−(aq)

45
 Mixtures of Acids – cont’d
A Mixture of Two Weak Acids

• When concentrations are similar, or the concentration of the stronger acid is

larger than that of the weaker one, the vast majority of [H3O+] comes from
the stronger of the two acids
• Assumption only valid if Ka values differ by at least 100x

Example: Find the pH of a mixture that is 0.350 M in HF and 0.100 M in HClO.

Ka(HF) = 6.3 x 10-4 Ka(HClO) = 4.0 x 10-8

There are three possible sources of H3O+ in this solution: HF, HClO and H2O
• Since Ka(HF) >> Ka(HClO)>> Kw, most of the H3O+ will come from the
ionization of HF. So we can simply consider the contribution of H3O+ from HF
and ignore the other two sources
Answer: pH = 1.82 46
 Mixture of Acids
Extra Practice: In a solution of 0.350 M HF and 0.100 M HClO, what is [ClO-]?

Answer: [ClO-] = 2.7x10-7 M 47

 Acid-Base Properties of Ions and Salts
When salts dissolve completely (as many salts do), they create a solution of cations
and anions. We have already seen that some anions (- charged) act as weak bases,
and we have already seen that some cations (+ charge) act as weak acids.
F- (aq) + H2O(l)  HF(aq) + OH-(aq) (anion acting as a base)

NH4+(aq) + H2O(l)  H3O+(aq) + NH3(aq) (cation acting as an acid)

But there are anions that don’t act as bases, and cations that don’t act as acids at all
Cl- (aq) + H2O(l)  HCl(aq) + OH-(aq) (anion that does not act as base)

Na+(aq) + H2O(l)  H+(aq) + NaOH(aq) (cation does not act as acid)

In the latter cases, the anion and cation are conjugate base/acids of strong acids/bases
48
Acid-Base Properties of Ions and Salts-cont’d
EXAMPLES
An anion that is the conjugate base of a weak acid is itself a weak base F-, NO2-
An anion that is the conjugate base of a strong acid is pH-neutral. Cl-, NO3-

A cation that is the conjugate acid of a weak base is itself a weak acid NH4+, CH3NH3+
A cation that is the conjugate acid of a strong base is pH-neutral. Na+, Ca2+

Also recall what we showed previously that for conjugate acid base pairs:
Ka×Kb = KW
pKa + pKb = 14
Which tells us:
1. The conjugate base of a weak acid, is itself a weak base, and vice versa.
2. The stronger an acid, the weaker its conjugate base, and vice versa.
49
Strength of Conjugate
Acid-Base Pairs

Reminder of Strong Acids and Strong Bases

50
 Classifying the pH of salt solutions
Salts that dissolve in water usually contain cations and anions (in equal molar quantities).
Therefore, they can change the pH of the solution according to the acid-base properties of
the cation/anions. Several possibilities exist:
pH of salt soltn
1. Salts in which neither the cation nor Neutral
the anion acts as an acid or a base,
they are both pH neutral pH = 7.0

2. Salts in which the cation is pH

Basic
neutral but the anion acts as a base pH > 7.0

Acidic
3. Salts in which the cation acts as an
acid but the anion is pH-neutral
pH < 7.0

Depends on pKa
4. Salts in which the cation acts as an and pKb. The
acid AND the anion acts as a base stronger acid or
51 base wins
 Acid-Base Properties of Ions and Salts
When considering cations, they can be grouped into two* general categories:

Group 1 and Group 2 cations (Li+, Na+, K+, Mg2+, Ca2+, etc.)
• Essentially have no acidic properties - can be ignored during pH calculations
(spectator ions)

Cations that are conjugate acids of weak bases (NH4+, CH3NH3+, etc.)
• Usually contains N atoms - they are usually weak acids
• Ka can be calculated using available Kb data on the base

* Cations of small, highly-charged metals (Al3+, Fe3+, etc.) are also acidic but will
generally not be considered in this course.
52
Example 15.14 - Modified
A solution is made by completely dissolving 10.0 g of sodium acetate (CH3COONa) in 1.0L.
a) Will the solution be acidic, basic, or pH neutral? b) Find the pH of the solution.

CH3COONa(aq)  Na+(aq) + CH3COO-(aq) (this is not the acid-base reaction)

CH3COO-(aq) + H2O  CH3COOH(aq) + OH- (aq)

a) Solution will be basic (pH > 7.0) since the cation is pH neutral and the anion is a base.

b) To calculate the pH of this basic solution, i) we need the concentration of the base, and
ii) we need the base dissociation constant, Kb. However, all we have in the Appendix
is the Ka of the conjugate acid, acetic acid, Ka = 1.8×10-5. We must calculate Kb. The
rest we already know how to do.

53
 Example 15.14 - Modified
A solution is made by completely dissolving 10.0 g of sodium acetate (CH3COONa) in 1.0L.
a) Will the solution be acidic, basic, or pH neutral? b) Find the pH of the solution.

CH3COO-(aq) + H2O  CH3COOH(aq) + OH- (aq) MW (CH3COONa) = 83.04 g/mol; Ka = 1.8×10-5

Answer: pH = 8.91 54
More qualitative examples

55
Determining Overall Acidity or Basicity of Salt Solutions

CH3NH3NO3 NH4F

56
 Polyprotic Acids and Bases
Polyprotic acids, as the name suggests, have 2 or more ionizable hydrogens.
For each successive step, we can write a reaction and an equilibrium
expression for removal of each successive hydrogen, Ka1 for the first H, Ka2 for
the second H, etc.
Example: Carbonic acid
[H3O+] 𝐻𝐶𝑂3−
H2CO3(aq) + H2O(l)  H3O+(aq) + HCO3-(aq) 𝐾𝑎1 = = 4.3 × 10−7
[H2CO3]

[H3O+] 𝐶𝑂32−
HCO3-(aq) + H2O(l)  H3O+(aq) + CO32-(aq) 𝐾𝑎2 = = 5.6 × 10−11
[HCO3−]
Notice how Ka2 < Ka1. This is generally true for all polyprotic acids as the removal of a
second and third H+ involves a separation of a positive charge (H+) from a negatively
charged anion, which are attracted by coulombic (electrostatic) forces. The separation
of charge becomes more difficult with each successive H+ removal (see Table next
page).
58
Polyprotic Acids and
Bases - examples

Ka1 > Ka2 > Ka3

Ka1 > Ka2 > Ka3

All amino acids!!

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 pH of Polyprotic Acids
In many cases, Ka1 >> Ka2. In such cases (Ka1/Ka2 > 102, as a rule of thumb), to
calculate the pH of a polyprotic acid solution, we can ignore the second
ionization since it will be so much smaller than the first. Thus, we calculate the
[H3O+] assuming the acid is monoprotic with Ka = Ka1, using the methods we
have already established.
[Note: this is similar to the mixture of 2 weak acids, where we ignore the weaker
acid and calculate pH based upon the stronger acid]

Looking at the table on the previous page, we note Ka1/Ka2 > 102 for all the acids
except sulfuric acid (first H+ ionization is a strong acid), and citric acid.

What follows is an example for H2SO4, the method of which can be used for
cases where Ka1/Ka2 < 102.

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Example: Calculate the pH of a 0.0100 M sulfuric acid solution

Set up ICE table:

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Example: Calculate the pH of a 0.0100 M sulfuric acid solution

Answer: pH = 1.84 62
 Polyprotic Acids
• Ionization of polyprotic acids produces anions for each ionization step

• To find anion concentrations, use ICE tables for each successive ionization, using values
from the previous table for the next one

Example:

Approach: Use ICE table

to calculate [HA-], then
use that information as
the concentration for the
second ICE table (Ka2)
calculation to obtain [A2-]

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Example continued: Calculate [C6H6O62-] of a 0.100 M ascorbic acid (H2C6H6O6) solution.

Answer: [C6H6O62-] = 1.6x10-12 M 64