Ch.16 - Acid-Base Equilibria

Brown - Chemistry: The Central Science 14th Edition

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Brown 14th Edition

Ch.16 - Acid-Base Equilibria

Problem 21d

Chapter 16, Problem 21d

Label each of the following as being a strong base, a weak base, or a species with negligible basicity. In each case write the formula of its conjugate acid, and indicate whether the conjugate acid is a strong acid, a weak acid, or a species with negligible acidity: (d) Cl-

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First, identify the given species. In this case, it is Cl-.

Next, determine the basicity of the given species. Cl- is a species with negligible basicity because it does not readily accept protons.

Then, write the formula of its conjugate acid. The conjugate acid of Cl- is HCl, which is formed by accepting a proton (H+) by Cl-.

Finally, determine the acidity of the conjugate acid. HCl is a strong acid because it readily donates protons.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Acid-Base Theory

Acid-base theory explains the behavior of acids and bases in chemical reactions. According to the Brønsted-Lowry theory, acids are proton donors and bases are proton acceptors. This framework helps classify substances based on their ability to donate or accept protons, which is essential for determining the strength of acids and bases.

Conjugate Acid-Base Pairs

A conjugate acid-base pair consists of two species that differ by the presence of a proton (H+). When a base accepts a proton, it forms its conjugate acid, while the acid that donates the proton forms its conjugate base. Understanding these pairs is crucial for identifying the strength of acids and bases, as strong acids have weak conjugate bases and vice versa.

Strength of Acids and Bases

The strength of an acid or base is determined by its ability to dissociate in water. Strong acids, like HCl, completely dissociate into ions, while weak acids, like acetic acid, only partially dissociate. Similarly, strong bases fully dissociate in solution, while weak bases do not. This concept is vital for classifying substances like Cl-, which is the conjugate base of a strong acid (HCl) and thus has negligible basicity.

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Strength of Conjugate Acids and Bases

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Textbook Question

Label each of the following as being a strong base, a weak base, or a species with negligible basicity. In each case write the formula of its conjugate acid, and indicate whether the conjugate acid is a strong acid, a weak acid, or a species with negligible acidity: (a) CH3COO-

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Textbook Question

Label each of the following as being a strong acid, a weakacid, or a species with negligible acidity. In each case write theformula of its conjugate base, and indicate whether the conjugatebase is a strong base, a weak base, or a species with negligiblebasicity: (a) HCOOH

Predict the products of the following acid–base reactions, and predict whether the equilibrium lies to the left or to the right of the reaction arrow:

(a) O^2-(aq) + H₂O(l) ⇌

(b) CH₃COOH(aq) + HS^-(aq) ⇌

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Textbook Question

Which of the following is the stronger Brønsted–Lowry acid, HBrO or HBr?