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Wize High School Grade 11 Chemistry Textbook > Acids and Bases

Acid Base Definitions

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Acids and Bases Definitions

  • Arrhenius definition: compounds identified as producing H+ or OH- ions in solution
  • Acids produce H+ ions:
HNO3(aq)→H+(aq)+NO3−(aq)\small HNO_3(aq)→H^+ (aq)+NO_3^- (aq)
  • Bases produce OH- ions:
LiOH(aq)→Li+(aq)+OH−(aq)LiOH(aq)\to Li^+(aq)+OH^-(aq)

  • Modified Arrhenius definition: compounds identified as acids or bases based on their reaction with water
  • Acids react with water to produce H3O+ ions
HNO3(aq)+H2O(ℓ)→H3O+(aq)+NO3−(aq)HNO_3(aq)+H_2O(\ell)\to H_3O^+(aq)+NO_3^-(aq)
  • Bases react with water to produce OH- ions
NH3(aq)+H2O(ℓ)⇌NH4+(aq)+OH−(aq)\small NH_3(aq)+H_2O(\ell)⇌NH_4^+(aq)+OH^- (aq)


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Acid and Base Strength

  • Strong acids ionize completely:
HNO3(aq)→H+(aq)+NO3−(aq)HNO_3(aq)→H^+(aq)+NO_3^-(aq)


  • Weak acids partially ionize to give H+:
HF(aq)⇌F−(aq)+H+(aq)HF(aq)⇌F^- (aq)+H^+ (aq)



  • Strong bases dissociate completely in water:
LiOH(s)→Li+(aq)+OH−(aq)LiOH(s)→Li^+ (aq)+OH^- (aq)
  • Weak bases react with water to give OH-, but the reaction is not complete
NH3(aq)+H2O(ℓ)⇌NH4+(aq)+OH−(aq)NH_3(aq)+H_2O(\ell)⇌NH_4^+(aq)+OH^-(aq)


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Properties of Acids and Bases


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Example: Identifying Strong Acids and Bases

Group the following molecules as strong acids, strong bases, or neither: HBr, NaCl, H2SO4, Mg(OH)2, KOH, H3PO4


Strong Acids: HBr and H2SO4
Strong Bases: Mg(OH)2 and KOH
Neither: NaCl, and H3PO4

Practice: Acids and Bases Definitions and Properties

Match the following terms and definitions
A.
Completely dissociates in solution
B.
Taste sour
C.
Feels slippery
D.
Partially ionize in solution
Weak acid
Strong base
Property of an acid
Property of a base

Practice: Identifying Arrhenius Acids and Bases


Which of the following compounds is a base according to the Arrhenius theory? Select all that apply.

Which one of the following statements about strong acids is true?