ACIDS, BASES and EQUILIBRIUM UNIT

ASSIGNMENT
Name:

13. For a chemical system at equilibrium:

(a) What are the observable characteristics?

(b) Why is the equilibrium considered “dynamic”?

(c) What is considered “equal” about the system?

24. In a gaseous reaction system, 2.00 mol of methane, CH4(g), is initially added to 10.00 mol
of chlorine, Cl2(g). At equilibrium the system contains 1.40 mol of chloromethane, CH3Cl(g),
and some hydrogen chloride, HCl(g).
(a) Write a balanced reaction equation for this equilibrium and calculate the
maximum possible yield of chloromethane product.

(b) Calculate the percent yield at this equilibrium and state whether products or
reactants are favoured.

35. Combustion reactions, such as the burning of methane, often favour products so
strongly that they are written with a single arrow. Assuming the forward reaction has a
very low activation energy (thermochemistry) and the reverse reaction has a very high
activation energy (to account for the difference in the tendency to occur), sketch a possible
potential energy diagram representing the progress of such a reaction.
47. Write a balanced net ionic equation for each of the following described reactions,
showing appropriate use of equilibrium "arrow" symbols where appropriate, and
indicating (with symbols) whether products or reactants are favoured.
(a) An excess of solid copper reacts with virtually all of the silver ions in a sample
solution.

(b) When a solution containing calcium ions is mixed with a solution containing a
large excess of sulfate ions, a precipitate forms, but tests indicate that a small quantity of
calcium ions remains in solution.

(c) When acetic acid is dissolved in water, the acetic acid molecules react with water
molecules to form hydronium and acetate ions. Careful pH testing shows that about 980 of
every 1000 acetic acid molecules remain in their molecular form, at equilibrium.

53. Interpret the graph to answer the questions about the reaction. Hydrogen and iodine
were placed in a
reaction vessel, which was then sealed, and heated to 450 °C.

(a) All three substances are gases. If the container has a volume of 2.00 L, what chemical
amount of each
substance was present initially?

(b) What chemical amount of hydrogen iodide had formed at equilibrium? (Create an ICE
table.)
(c) Describe the rate at which hydrogen is reacting from the moment the reactants are
mixed to the time when equilibrium has been established, in terms of collision–reaction
theory.
6. For each of the following, write the chemical reaction equation with appropriate equilibrium
arrow. The table below is there to help you.

(a) The Haber process is used to manufacture ammonia fertilizer from hydrogen and nitrogen
gases. Under less than- desirable conditions, only an 11% yield of ammonia is obtained at
equilibrium.

(b) A mixture of carbon monoxide and hydrogen, known as water gas, is used as a
supplementary fuel in many large industries. At high temperatures, the reaction of coke and
steam forms an equilibrium mixture in which the products (carbon monoxide and hydrogen
gases) are favoured. (Assume that coke is pure carbon.)

(c) Because of the cost of silver, many high school science departments recover silver metal from
waste solutions containing silver compounds or silver ions. A quantitative reaction of waste
silver ion solutions with copper metal results in the production of silver metal and copper(II)
ions.

(d) One step in the industrial process used to manufacture sulfuric acid is the production of sulfur
trioxide from sulfur dioxide and oxygen gases. Under certain conditions, the reaction produces a
65% yield of products.
7. In the Haber process for synthesizing ammonia gas from nitrogen and hydrogen, the value of
Kc is 6.0 x 10-2 for the reaction at 500 °C. In a sealed container at equilibrium at 500 °C, the
concentrations of H2(g) and of N2(g) are measured to be 0.50 mol/L and 1.50 mol/L, respectively.
Write the equilibrium law expression and calculate the equilibrium concentration of NH 3(g).

8. To a heated reaction vessel with a volume of 1.00 L, a lab technician adds 6.23 mmol H2(g),
4.14 mmol of I2(g), and 22.40 mmol of HI(g). At equilibrium, a spectrophotometer is used to
determine that the concentration of iodine vapour is 2.58 mmol/L. Construct an ICE table and
find Kc for the reaction system
H2(g) + I2(g) 2 HI(g).

9. Consider the system

2 HBr(g) H2(g) + Br2(g)
Initially, 0.25 mol of hydrogen and 0.25 mol of bromine are placed into a 500 mL electrically
heated reaction vessel. Kc for the reaction at the temperature used is 0.020.
(a) Find the concentrations of the substances at equilibrium.

(b) Calculate the chemical amount of each substance present at equilibrium.

10. What three types of changes shift the position of a chemical equilibrium?

11. For each of the following chemical systems at equilibrium, use Le Châtelier’s principle to
predict the effect of the change imposed on the chemical system. Indicate the direction in which
the equilibrium is expected to shift. For each example, sketch the graph of concentrations versus
time, plotted from just before the change to the established new equilibrium.
(a) H2O(l) + energy H2O(g)
The container is heated.

(b) H2O(l) H+(aq) + OH-(aq)

A few crystals of NaOH(s) are added to the container.

(c) CaCO3(s) + energy CaO(s) + CO2(g)

CO2(g) is removed from the container.

(d) CH3COOH(aq) H+(aq) + CH3COO-(aq)

A few drops of pure CH3COOH(l) are added to the system.
12. Much methanol is produced industrially by the exothermic reaction
CO(g) + 2 H2(g) ⇄ CH3OH(l),
carried out at high pressure (5–10 MPa) and temperature (250 °C) in the presence of several
catalyst substances. Methanol is less flammable than gasoline, and so it is a safer fuel. It is the
fuel used in open-wheel Champ Car racing, and also in the Indianapolis 500.
(a) State, in terms of forward and reverse reaction rates, why using a very high pressure of the
reactant gases is economically desirable for the manufacturer.

(b) State in which direction a high temperature will shift this reaction equilibrium.

(c) Explain why using a high temperature is desirable, in terms of the time required for the
reaction to reach equilibrium.

(d) Explain, in terms of equilibrium position and equilibrium shift, why this reaction is done in
an open system, where reactants are continually added to the pressure vessel and liquid product
is continually removed.

13. The following equation represents part of the industrial production of nitric acid. Predict the
direction of the equilibrium shift for each of the following changes. Explain any shift in terms of
the changes in forward and reverse reaction rates.
4 NH3(g) + 5 O2(g) 4 NO(g) + 6 H2O(g) + energy
(a) O2(g) is added to the system.

(b) The temperature of the system is increased.

(c) NO(g) is removed from the system.

(d) The pressure of the system is increased by decreasing the volume.
14. Identify the nature of the changes imposed on the following equilibrium system at the four
times indicated by coordinates A, B, C, and D

15. In which of the following cases would an increase in temperature increase the percent yield
at equilibrium?
(a) H2O(l) H2O(g)

(b) N2(g) + 3 H2(g) 2 NH3(g) ∆rH = -91 kJ

(c) KOH(s) K+(aq) + OH-(aq) + heat

(d) 2 C(s) + 2 H2(g) C2H4(g) ∆rH = +53 kJ

16. Chloromethane (methyl chloride) is manufactured by “chlorinating” methane. For this
reaction system at equilibrium, explain the effect of each of the imposed changes on the position
of reaction equilibrium.
CH4(g) + Cl2(g) CH3Cl(g) + HCl(g) ∆rH is negative

(a) More methane is injected into the reaction vessel.

(b) The container volume is increased.

(c) The temperature is lowered.

(d) A catalyst is introduced into the system.

17. The hydronium ion concentration in an industrial effluent is 4.40 mmol/L. Determine the
concentration of hydroxide ions in the effluent.

18. The hydroxide ion concentration in a household cleaning solution is 0.299 mmol/L. Calculate
the hydronium ion concentration in the cleaning solution.

19. Calculate the hydroxide ion amount concentration in a solution prepared by dissolving 0.37 g
of hydrogen chloride in 250 mL of water.
20. Calculate the hydronium ion amount concentration in a saturated solution of calcium
hydroxide (limewater) that has a solubility of 6.9 mmol/L.

21. Calculate the percent ionization of water at SATP. Recall that 1.000 L of water has a mass of
1000 g.

22. To clean a clogged drain, 26 g of sodium hydroxide is added to water to make 150 mL of
solution. What are the pH and pOH values for the solution?

23. What mass of potassium hydroxide is contained in 500 mL of solution that has a pH of 11.5?

24. Hydrocyanic acid is a very weak acid.

(a) Write an equilibrium reaction equation for the ionization of 0.10 mol/L HCN (aq). The percent
ionization at SATP is 7.8 x 10-3 %.

(b) Calculate the hydronium ion concentration and the pH of a 0.10 mol/L solution of HCN(aq).
25. What mass of hydrogen chloride gas is required to produce 250 mL of a hydrochloric acid
solution with a pH of 1.57?

26. Acetic (ethanoic) acid is the most common weak acid used in industry. Determine the pH and
pOH of an acetic acid solution prepared by dissolving 60.0 kg of pure, liquid acetic acid to make
1.25 kL of solution. The percent reaction with water at this concentration is 0.48%

27. How does the definition of a base according to the modified Arrhenius theory compare with
the Brønsted–Lowry definition?

28. Classify each reactant in the following equations as a Brønsted–Lowry acid or base.
(a) HF(aq) + SO3-2(aq) F-(aq) + HSO3-(aq)

(b) CO3-2(aq) + CH3COOH(aq) CH3COO-(aq) + HCO3-(aq)

(c) H3PO4(aq) + OCl-(aq) H2PO-4(aq) + HOCl(aq)

 (d) HCO3-(aq) + HSO4+(aq) SO4-2(aq) + H2CO3(aq)
29. Use the Brønsted–Lowry definitions to identify the two conjugate acid–base pairs in
each of the following acid–base reactions.
(a) HCO3-(aq) + S-2(aq) HS-(aq) + CO3-2(aq)

(b) H2CO3(aq) + OH-(aq) HCO3-(aq) + H2O(l)

(c) HSO4-(aq) + HPO4-2(aq) H2PO4-(aq) + SO4-2(aq)

(d) H2O(l) + H2O(l) H3O+(aq) + OH-(aq)

30. Use the five-step method to predict the predominant reactions in the following chemical
systems:
a) Hydrofluoric acid and an aqueous solution of sodium sulfate are mixed to test the five-step
method of predicting acid–base reactions.

b) Strong acids, such as perchloric acid, have been shown to react quantitatively with strong
bases, such as sodium hydroxide.

c) Methanoic acid is added to an aqueous solution of sodium hydrogen sulfide.

d) A student mixes solutions of ammonium chloride and sodium nitrite in a chemistry laboratory.
31. According to the Brønsted–Lowry concept, what determines the position of equilibrium in an
acid–base reaction?

32. State two examples of conjugate acid–base pairs, each involving the hydrogen sulfite ion.

33. Predict, with reasoning, including Brønsted–Lowry equations, whether each of the following
chemical systems will be acidic, basic, or neutral.
(a) aqueous hydrogen bromide

(b) aqueous potassium nitrite

(c) aqueous ammonia

(d) aqueous sodium hydrogen sulfate

(e) carbonated beverages

(f) limewater
34. The hydronium ion concentration in 0.100 mol/L propanoic acid is determined (from a pH
measurement) to be 1.16 x 10-3 mol/L.
(a) Calculate the percent reaction (ionization) of this particular weak acid solution.

(b) Calculate Ka for aqueous propanoic acid.

(c) Is this Ka value constant for propanoic acid? Explain.

35. Ascorbic acid is the chemical name for Vitamin C. A student prepares a 0.200 mol/L aqueous
solution of ascorbic acid, tests its pH, and reads a value of 2.40 from the pH meter.
(a) From the student’s evidence, calculate the Ka for ascorbic acid.

(b) Compare your result to the value listed in the table of Relative Strengths of Aqueous
Acids and Bases. The Ka value for ascorbic acid increases with increasing temperature. State
whether the student’s aqueous solution was likely warmer or colder than standard temperature
(25°C) when the pH was tested.
36. For each of the following weak bases, write the chemical equilibrium equation and the
equilibrium law expression for Kb.
(a) CN- (aq)

(b) SO4-2(aq)

37. The hydroxide ion concentration in a 0.157 mol/L solution of sodium propanoate,
NaC2H5COO(aq), is found to be 1.1 x 10-5 mol/L. Calculate the base ionization constant for the
propanoate ion.

38. What is the pH of a 0.18 mol/L cyanide ion solution?

39. Sodium hydrogen ascorbate is often used as an antioxidant in packaged non-fat foods. The
pH of a 0.15 mol/L laboratory solution of sodium hydrogen ascorbate, NaHC6H6O6(aq) is
measured to be 8.65. From this evidence, calculate the Kb value for the hydrogen ascorbate ion.
40. Predict and write the predominant Brønsted–Lowry reaction in aqueous solutions of the
following substances:
(a) K2HPO4(s)

(b) NaH2PO4(s)

(c) Na2HC6H5O7(s)

41. The shape of a pH curve is interpreted to describe the change of properties throughout the
course of an acid–base reaction.
(a) In terms of curve shape, describe the characteristics of a buffering region.

(b) In terms of pH change and titrant volume, explain what a buffering region represents.

(c) In terms of curve shape, describe the characteristics near an equivalence point.

(d) In terms of pH change and titrant volume, explain what an equivalence point
represents.
42. An acetic acid sample is titrated with sodium hydroxide

(a) Based on the above graph, estimate the pH at the equivalence point.

(b) Choose an appropriate indicator for this titration.

(c) Write a Brønsted–Lowry equation for this reaction.

(d) At the very beginning of the titration, before the curve levels off, it rises. Explain this rise in
terms of entities present in the mixture before and after beginning the titration.
43. A sodium phosphate solution is titrated with hydrochloric acid

(a) Why are only two equivalence points evident?

(b) Write three Brønsted–Lowry equations for the sequential reactions shown on the pH curve
Communicate the position of equilibrium for each of the three reactions.
44. For the first quantitative reaction in each of the following acid–base titrations, predict (where
possible) whether the equivalence point pH will be greater than, less than, or equal to 7.
(a) hydroiodic acid + aqueous sodium hydrogen phosphate →

(b) boric acid + aqueous sodium hydroxide →

(c) aqueous sodium hydrogen sulfate + aqueous potassium hydroxide →

(d) hydrochloric acid + solid magnesium hydroxide →

(e) hydrosulfuric acid + aqueous sodium hydrogen carbonate →

(f) sulfuric acid + aqueous ammonia →

45. Use the five-step Brønsted–Lowry method to predict the overall reaction net ionic equation
when the following chemicals are mixed.
(a) solutions of perchloric acid and sodium carbonate (A pH curve shows two protons are
transferred quantitatively in successive reactions.)

(b) solutions of nitrous acid and potassium hydroxide

(c) solutions of phosphoric acid and sodium hydroxide (A pH curve shows two protons are
transferred quantitatively in successive reactions.)

46. Use the five-step method to predict the quantitative reaction of a carbonic acid–hydrogen
carbonate ion buffer
(a) when a small amount of HCl(aq) is added

(b) when a small amount of NaOH(aq) is added

47. Which of the following solution pairs, when mixed in equal quantities, will not form an
effective buffer?
(a) HNO3(aq) and NaNO3(aq)

(b) NH3(aq) and NH4Cl(aq)

(c) C6H5COOH(aq) and NaC6H5COO(aq)

(d) HCl(aq) and NaOH(aq)

48. Sketch a generalized pH curve for the addition of a strong base to a weak acid. Label the
approximate equivalence point pH, and suggest an indicator that could be suitable for titration
analysis using this reaction.
49. If the pH of a solution is 6.8, what is the colour of each of the following indicators in this
solution?
(a) methyl red

(b) phenolphthalein

(c) chlorophenol red

(d) methyl orange

(e) bromothymol blue