GRADE 12

PHYSICAL SCIENCES

CHEMICAL CHANGE:
ACIDS & BASES

LESSON 64 TO 71
LESSON ONE
 AT THE END OF THIS LESSON/ SECTION
LEARNERS SHOULD BE ABLE TO:

Define acids and bases according to Arrhenius and

Lowry-Brønsted:
o Arrhenius theory: An acid is a substance that
produces hydrogen ions (H+)/hydronium ions (H3O+)
when it dissolves in water. A base is a substance
that produces hydroxide ions (OH-) when it dissolves
in water.
o Lowry-Brønsted theory: An acid is a proton (H+
ion) donor. A base is a proton (H+ ion) acceptor.
Distinguish between strong acids/bases and weak
acids/bases with examples.
 AT THE END OF THIS LESSON/ SECTION
LEARNERS SHOULD BE ABLE TO: … Cont.

o Strong acids ionise completely in water to form a

high concentration of H3O+ ions. Examples of strong
acids are hydrochloric acid, sulphuric acid and nitric
acid.
o Weak acids ionise incompletely in water to form a
low concentration of H3O+ ions. Examples of weak
acids are ethanoic acid and oxalic acid.
o Strong bases dissociate completely in water to form
a high concentration of OH- ions. Examples of strong
bases are sodium hydroxide and potassium
hydroxide.
 AT THE END OF THIS LESSON/ SECTION
LEARNERS SHOULD BE ABLE TO: … Cont.

o Weak bases dissociate/ionise incompletely in water

to form a low concentration of OH- ions. Examples of
weak bases are ammonia, calcium carbonate,
potassium carbonate, calcium carbonate and
sodium hydrogen carbonate.
Distinguish between concentrated acids/bases and
dilute acids/bases.
o Concentrated acids / bases contain a large amount
(number of moles) of acid / base in proportion to the
volume of water.
 AT THE END OF THIS LESSON/ SECTION
LEARNERS SHOULD BE ABLE TO: … Cont.

o Dilute acids / bases contain a small amount (number

of moles)of acid / base in proportion to the volume of
water.
Write down the reaction equations of aqueous
solutions of acids and bases.
 AT THE END OF THIS LESSON/ SECTION
LEARNERS SHOULD BE ABLE TO: … Cont.

Identify conjugate acid-base pairs for given

compounds. When the acid, HA, loses a proton, its
conjugate base, A-, is formed. When the base, A-,
accepts a proton, its conjugate acid, HA, is formed.
These two are a conjugate acid-base pair.
Describe a substance that can act as either acid or
base as amphiprotic or as an ampholyte. Water is a
good example of an ampholyte. Write equations to
show how an amphiprotic substance can act as acid
or base.
 AT THE END OF THIS LESSON/ SECTION
LEARNERS SHOULD BE ABLE TO: … Cont.

Write down neutralisation reactions of common

laboratory acids and bases.
 AT THE END OF THIS LESSON/ SECTION
LEARNERS SHOULD BE ABLE TO: … Cont.
 AT THE END OF THIS LESSON/ SECTION
LEARNERS SHOULD BE ABLE TO: … Cont.
 ACID-BASE MODELS/THEORIES:

In Grade 10 acids and bases were covered

using the empirical approach.
 For example, acids have sour taste, pH less
than 7,conduct electricity in solution
 Bases have a bitter taste, soapy feel, pH>7,.

This year (in Grade 12), acids and bases will be

approached using two models/theories:
(a) Arrhenius Model and
(b) Bronsted-Lowry Model
 ACID-BASE REACTIONS:

 Arrhenius theory:
o An acid is a substance that produces hydrogen ions
(H+) / hydronium ions (H3O+) when it dissolves in
water.
o A base is a substance that produces hydroxide ions
(OH-) when it dissolves in water.
o However this model had some shortcomings
/ limitations although it is still used today:
(a) Acids and bases are only limited to substances
that dissolve in water.
(b) Acid-base reactions are only limited to aqueous
 ACID-BASE REACTIONS: ... Cont.

(c) Bases are limited to substances that contain

hydroxide ions (OH-). When using this model
ammonia (NH3) would not be classified as a base

as it does not contain OH-.

 Lowry-Brønsted theory:
o An acid is a proton (H+ ion) donor. A base is a
proton (H+ ion) acceptor.
o Examples:
 ACID-BASE REACTIONS: ... Cont.

o This model has no limitations.

SOME COMMON ACIDS & BASES:
 STRONG & WEAK ACIDS/BASES:

Strong acids:
 ionise completely in water to form a high
concentration of H3O+ ions.
 examples of strong acids are hydrochloric acid
(HCl), sulphuric acid (H2SO4) and nitric acid
(HNO3).
Weak acids:
 ionise incompletely in water to form a low
concentration of H3O+ ions.
 Examples of weak acids are ethanoic acid
(CH3COOH) and oxalic acid (H2C2O4).
 STRONG & WEAK ACIDS/BASES:

Strong bases:
 dissociate completely in water to form a high
concentration of OH- ions.
 examples of strong bases are sodium hydroxide
and potassium hydroxide.
Weak bases:
 dissociate/ionise incompletely in water to form
a low concentration of OH- ions.
 examples of weak bases are ammonia (NH3),
calcium carbonate CaCO3, potassium
carbonate (K2CO3) and sodium hydrogen
carbonate (NaHCO3)
CONCENTRATED & DILUTE ACIDS/BASES:

Concentrated acids / bases:

 contain a large amount (number of moles) of acid
/ base in proportion to the volume of water.
Dilute acids / bases
 contain a small amount (number of moles) of
acid / base in proportion to the volume of
water.
 POLYPROTIC ACIDS:

Monoprotic Acids:
 These are acids with one proton (H+) only.
 Examples: HCl, HNO3, CH3COOH, etc.
Diprotic Acids:
 These are acids with two protons (H+).
 Examples: H2SO4, H2CO3, H2C2O4, H2O, etc.
Triprotic Acids:
 These are acids with three protons (H+).
 Examples: H3PO4, H3O+, etc.
 WORKED EXAMPLES:

1. Solution 1 contains 100mol of HCl added to

10 dm3 of water. Almost all the HCl molecules
ionise in the solution.
Solution 2 contains 0,01 g of Mg(OH)2 added to
1000 dm3 of water. Only a small percentage of the
Mg(OH)2 molecules dissociate in the solution.
Say whether these solutions:
1. Contain a strong or weak acid or base.
2. Are concentrated or dilute.
 WORKED EXAMPLES: ... Cont.

2. Solution 1 contains 0,01 dm3 of NaOH added to

800 dm3 of water. Almost all the NaOH molecules
dissociate in the solution.
Solution 2 contains 100 g of HF added to 10 dm3
of water. Only a small percentage of the HF
molecules ionise in the solution.
Say whether these solutions:
1. Contain a strong or weak acid or base.
2. Are concentrated or dilute.
 WORKED EXAMPLES: ... Cont.

3. 0,27 g of H2SO4 is added to 183,7 dm3 of water.

Calculate the concentration of the solution.
4. 16,4 g of KOH is added to 12,9 cm3 of water.
Calculate the concentration of the solution.
 WORKED EXAMPLES: ... Cont.

5. Say whether the solutions of the acids and bases

in the following situations are concentrated or
dilute.
(a) For every 1 mole of a solvent there are
50 moles of lithium hydroxide (LiOH).
(b) For every 100 moles of a solvent there are
5 moles of nitric acid (HNO3).
 WORKED EXAMPLES: ... Cont.

6. 95% of an unknown acid donates protons when the

acid is added to water. The pH of the final solution
is 6,5.
(a) Is the acid a strong or a weak acid? Give a
reason for your answer.
(b) Is a solution with a pH of 6,5 strongly or weakly
acidic?
(c) Is the solution concentrated or dilute? Give a
reason for your answer.
 WORKED EXAMPLES: ... Cont.

7. Calculate the concentration for of the following

solutions.
(a) 27 g of sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) added to
22,6 cm3 of water.
(b) 0,893 mol of phosphoric acid (H3PO4) added to
4,79 dm3 of a solvent.
(c) 32,8 mg of hydrochloric acid (HCl) added to
12,76 cm3 of water.
(d) 1,12 dm3 of a 6,54 mol.dm-3 concentration
solution of ammonia (NH3) added to 0,50 dm3
of water.
 REACTION EQUATIONS OF AQUEOUS
SOLUTIONS OF ACIDS & BASES:

1. HCℓ (g) + H2O (ℓ) → H3O+ (aq) + Cℓ- (aq)

2. NH3 (g) + H2O(ℓ) → NH4+ (aq) + OH- (aq)

3. H2SO4 (aq) + 2H2O (ℓ) → 2H3O+ (aq) +

SO42- (aq)
4. CH3COOH (aq) + H2O(ℓ) → H3O+ (aq) +
CH3COO-
(aq)
 IDENTFYING CONJUGATE ACID-BASE
PAIRS:

When the acid, HA, donates a proton, its

conjugate base, A-, is formed.

When the base, A-, accepts a proton, its

conjugate acid, HA, is formed.

These two are a conjugate acid-base pair.

IDENTIFYING CONJUGATE ACID-BASE
PAIRS: ... Cont.

Examples: Identify the conjugate acid-base

pairs of the following reactions:
1. HNO3 (aq) + OH- (aq) → NO3- (aq) + H2O(ℓ)

2. H2SO4(aq) + NH3(g) → HSO4-(aq)+ NH4+(aq)

3. H3PO4(aq) + OH –(aq)→ H2PO4-(aq) + H2O(ℓ)

4. HNO3(aq) + NH3(aq) → NO3-(aq)+ NH4+(aq)

IDENTIFYING CONJUGATE ACID-BASE
PAIRS: ... Cont.

5. H2SO4(aq) + H2O(ℓ) → H3O+(aq) + HSO4-(aq)

6. NH4+(aq) + F- (aq) → HF(aq) + NH3(g)

7. H2O(ℓ) + CH3COO-(aq) → OH-(aq) + CH3COOH(aq)

8. H2SO4(aq) + Cl-(aq) → HCl(aq) + HSO4-(aq)

 ACTIVITIES

COMPLETE EXERCISE 9.1 and 9.2 SIYAVULA pg

347 and 354 respectively.
COMPLETE EXERCISE 8.1 AND 8.2
SOLUTIONS( to be sent on the group)
LESSON TWO
 AMPHIPROTIC SUBSTANCES OR
AMPHOLYTES:
 A substance that can act as either acid or base is
amphiprotic or is an ampholyte.
 Water (H2O) is a good example of an ampholyte.
 Other examples: HCO3-, H2PO4-, HPO42-, HSO4-,
etc.
 An example of water acting as an ampholyte:
(water acting
base acid c-base c-acid as an acid)

acid base c-base c-acid

(water acting as a base)
 AMPHIPROTIC SUBSTANCES OR
AMPHOLYTES: ... Cont.

 An example of H2PO4- acting as an ampholyte:

(H2PO4- acting as a base)

(H2PO4- acting as an acid)

 pH SCALE:

 pH is a measure of the degree of acidity or

alkalinity (basic) of a substance.
 INDICATORS:

 A titration is a process for determining, with

precision, the concentration of a solution
with an unknown concentration.
 An indicator (an organic compound) is used
to indicate the degree of acidity or alkalinity
(basic) of the solution.
 An indicator is used to show the scientist
carrying out the reaction exactly when the
reaction has reached completion.
 INDICATORS: ... Cont.

 Define the equivalence point of a titration as

the point at which the acid /base has
completely reacted with the base/acid.
 Define the endpoint of a titration as the point
where the indicator changes colour.
CHOOSING A SUITABLE INDICATOR:
 NEUTRALISATION REACTIONS OF
COMMON LABORATORY ACIDS & BASES:

 A neutralization reaction is a reaction in

which an acid reacts with a base to form a
salt.
 Water (H2O) is frequently produced as well.
 The general equation for a neutralisation
reaction is:
 NEUTRALISATION REACTIONS OF
COMMON LABORATORY ACIDS & BASES:

 Hydrochloric acid with sodium hydroxide:

 Hydrochloric acid with potassium hydroxide:

HCl(aq) + KOH(aq) → KCl(aq) + H2O(ℓ)
 Hydrogen bromide with potassium hydroxide:

 Hydrochloric acid with sodium hydrogen

carbonate:
NEUTRALISATION REACTIONS OF COMMON
LABORATORY ACIDS & BASES: ... Cont.

 Hydrochloric acid with sodium carbonate:

 Nitric acid with sodium hydroxide:

 Sulphuric acid with sodium hydroxide:

 Oxalic acid with sodium hydroxide:

NEUTRALISATION REACTIONS OF COMMON
LABORATORY ACIDS & BASES: ... Cont.

 Ethanoic acid with sodium hydroxide:

 Note! YOU must know these reactions

by heart.
 PREDICTING THE APPROXIMATE pH OF
SALTS IN SALT HYDROLYSIS:

 Hydrolysis is the reaction of salt with water.

 Neutralisation does not mean that the pH of the
solution is 7.
 A simple rule for determining the likely pH of
a solution is as follows:
 PREDICTING THE APPROXIMATE pH OF
SALTS IN SALT HYDROLYSIS: ... Cont.

Examples: Predict the approximate pH at the end of

a neutralisation reaction between the following acids
and bases. Answer 7, greater than 7 or less than 7.

1. HCl + NaOH → NaCl + H2O

2. CH3COOH + NH4OH → CH3COONH4 + H2O
 PREDICTING THE APPROXIMATE pH OF
SALTS IN SALT HYDROLYSIS: ... Cont.

3. HCl + NH4OH → NH4Cl + H2O

4. CH3COOH + NaOH → CH3COONa + 2H2O
5. HNO3 and Mg(OH)2

6. CH3COOH and Mg(OH)2

7. CH3COOH and KOH

8. HNO3 and KOH
 CLASS WORK ACTIVITY:

1. Write balanced equations for these acid and

metal reactions:
(a) Hydrochloric acid and calcium.
(b) Nitric acid and magnesium.
2. Write balanced equations for these acid and
metal hydroxide reactions:
(a) Hydrochloric acid and magnesium hydroxide
(b) Nitric acid and aluminium hydroxide
 CLASSWORK ACTIVITY 1: ...
Cont.
3. Write balanced equations for these acid and
metal oxide reactions:
(a) Hydrochloric acid and aluminium oxide.
(b) Sulphuric acid and magnesium oxide.
4. Give a balanced equation for the reaction
between:
4.1 Hydrochloric acid + potassium hydroxide.
4.2 Nitric acid + sodium oxide.
4.3 Nitric acid + potassium carbonate.
4.4 Hydrochloric acid + sodium carbonate.
4.5 Hydrochloric acid + sodium oxide.
4.6 Nitric acid + sodium hydroxide.
 EXERCISE (CHEMISTRY BOOKS)

SIYAVULA 9-4 :pg 364

SIYAVULA 9-5 : pg 366
LESSON THREE
 CALCULATING pH:

 The pH is calculated using the formula:

 The pOH is calculated using the formula:

pOH = -log[OH-]
 It is important that: pH + pOH = 14.
 PERFORMING STOICHIOMETRIC
CALCULATIONS BASED ON TITRATION:

 Titration is a process where a standard

solution (a solution of known concentration)
is used to determine the concentration of the
unknown solution.
 During this process the volume of the standard
solution is determined by putting it in the
burette.
 The concentration of the unknown solution is
calculated by using the formula:
PERFORMING STOICHIOMETRIC CALCULATIONS
BASED ON TITRATION: ... Cont.
 WORKED EXAMPLES:

1. 70 cm3 of a solution of sodium hydroxide

(concentration = 0,18 mol.dm-3) reacts completely
with 30 cm3 of a solution of sulphuric acid. The
equation for the reaction is:

1.1 Write down the formula of the conjugate acid of

sodium hydroxide. (2)
1.2 Calculate the concentration of the solution of
sulphuric acid. (4)
1.3 Calculate the mass of sodium hydroxide used in
the titration.
 WORKED EXAMPLES: ... Cont.

2. 20 cm3 of a 0,2 mol.dm-3 NaOH solution is titrated

against 25 cm3 of a H2SO4 solution. The balanced
equation for the reaction is:

2.1 Calculate the concentration of the H 2SO4

solution. (4)
2.2 Write down the name of the proton donor in this
reaction. (2)
2.3 6,2 g of KOH is dissolved in 250 cm3 of water.
Calculate the pH of this solution.
 WORKED EXAMPLES: ... Cont.

3.1 The concentrations of hydronium and hydroxyl

ions in a typical seawater are 10-8 mol.dm-3 and
10-6 mol.dm-3 respectively.
3.1.1 Is the seawater acidic or basic? (2)
3.1.2 What is the pH of this seawater? (2)
3.1.3 Give a plausible explanation for the pH of
this seawater. (2)
3.2 A solution is prepared by adding 25 cm 3 of
0,2 mol.dm-3 NaOH to 40 cm3 of 0,15 mol.dm-3
HCl.
3.2.1 Write a balanced equation to represent the
 WORKED EXAMPLES: ... Cont.

3.2.2 Calculate the number of moles of NaOH and

HCl used up in this reaction, and hence the
molar quantity of the reagent in excess. (7)
3.2.3 Calculate the pH of the resulting solution. (4)
 WORKED EXAMPLES: ... Cont.

4. The acid HF ionises according to the following

equation:
HF (aq) + H2O (l) → H3O+ (aq) + F- (aq)
When 0,1 mol.dm-3 solution of HF is prepared, it is
found that the concentration of the F - (aq) ions is
0,018 mol.dm-3. The temperature of the solution is
25oC.
4.1 Is HF a strong acid? (1)
4.2 Give an explanation for the answer to 4.1. (2)
4.3 How will the pH of the solution change when
solid NaF is dissolved in the solution
 WORKED EXAMPLES: ... Cont.

(Write down only decreases, increases or stays

the same). (2)
4.4 Give an explanation for your answer in 4.3. (3)
0,5 dm3 of the 0,1 mol.dm-3 HF solution is now added
to 0,8 dm3 of a 0,25 mol.dm-3 solution of NaOH.
4.5 Calculate the number of moles of hydroxide ions
(OH-) in the solution at the completion of this
reaction.
(6)
4.6 Calculate the pH of the solution at the completion
of the reaction.
(6)
 WORKED EXAMPLES: ... Cont.

5.1 A volume of 0,60 dm3 of a 0,20 mol.dm-3 NaOH

solution is added to a beaker containing 0,40 dm 3
of a H2SO4 solution. It was found that the
pH of the final solution is 12,5 at a temperature of
25oC.
5.1.1 Calculate the hydroxide ion (OH-) concentration

on completion of the reaction. (5)

5.1.2 Write down the balanced equation for the
reaction that takes place. (3)
5.1.3 Calculate the concentration of the initial H 2SO4
solution. (7)
 WORKED EXAMPLES: ... Cont.

5.2 A solution of Na2CO3 is made in water, and it is

found that the concentration of the hydroxide ions
present in the water is increased.
5.2.1 Write down a balanced equation for the reaction
that is responsible for the increase in the
concentration of the hydroxide ions. (3)
5.2.2 Write down a formula of an ampholyte present in
the reaction in 5.2.1.
(2)
5.2.3 When CaCl2 is added to the solution a
precipitate of CaCO3 forms. How will this affect
the pH? (Write down only increases, decreases,
 WORKED EXAMPLES: ... Cont.

5.2.4 Give an explanation for the answer to 5.2.3 by

referring to the effect that the addition of CaCl 2
has on the equilibrium of the reaction in 5.2.1.
TITRATION APPARATUS:

Pipette

(Picture: MacMillan – Solutions for all e-book)

HOW TO PREPARE A STANDARD SOLUTION
OF OXALIC ACID (H2C2O4):

STEP 1:
 Measure the mass of the solute (solid H2C2O4)
using a mass metre or a triple-beam-balance,
in grams (g).
STEP 2:
 Calculate the number of moles of the acid using the
formula: n  m
M
where m = mass of the acid (solute) in grams (g)
M = molar mass of the acid = 90 g.mol-1
n = number of moles of in mol
HOW TO PREPARE A STANDARD SOLUTION
OF OXALIC ACID (H2C2O4): ... Cont.

STEP 3:
 Calculate the concentration of the acid using
the formula: C  n
V
where C = concentration of the acid in mol·dm-3
V = volume of water in dm3
n = number of moles of in mol
ALTERNATIVELY:
 Combine STEPS 2 and 3 and use the formula:
m
C to calculate the acid concentration.
MV
PROCEDURE TO CONDUCT THE TITRATION:

1. Carefully measure the volume of the solution with

unknown concentration using a pipette and put into
a conical flask.
2. Add a few drops of indicator, phenolphthalein in
this case, to the solution in the flask.
3. Place the conical flask on a white tile or piece of
paper (to make colour changes easier to see).
4. Measure the volume of the standard solution into a
burette and slowly add to the solution in the flask,
drop by drop.
PROCEDURE TO CONDUCT THE TITRATION:
... Cont.

5. Record the volume of the standard solution at

which the colour of the unknown solution changes
colour (end-point of the reaction).
6. Repeat steps 1 to 5 at least three times.
7. Calculate the average of the three readings and
use it to calculate the concentration of the
unknown solution.
 SAFETY PRECAUTIONS:

1. Handle all chemicals and equipment with care.

2. You are responsible for your own safety as well as
the safety of others in the laboratory.
3. Always behave responsibly in the laboratory. Do
not run around or play practical jokes.
4. Titrate with precision so that you do not overshoot
the end point.
5. Wear protective clothing including safety goggles,
lab coat, gloves, closed shoes, etc.
6. Do not eat or drink in the lab.
7. Never add water to acid. Always add the acid to
water.
 SAFETY PRECAUTIONS: ... Cont.

8. Only perform the experiments that your teacher

instructs you to. Never mix chemicals for fun.
Follow the given instructions exactly. Do not mix up
steps or try things in a different order
9. Care needs to be taken when pouring liquids or
powders from one container to another. When
spillages occur you need to call the teacher
immediately to assist in cleaning up the spillage.
10.Always check with your teacher how to dispose of
waste. Chemicals should not be disposed of down
the sink, etc.
 MEASURES TO BE PUT IN PLACE TO
ENSURE RELIABLE RESULTS:

1. Read all instruments with absolute precision in

order to eliminate human error (or error of
parallax).
2. Repeat the experiment at least three times.
3. Change only one variable at a time while keeping
the rest constant to make the investigation /
experiment a fair test.
4. Use clean apparatus or equipment.
 INTERPRETATION OF RESULTS:

1. Calculate the average of the volume of standard

solution.
2. Calculate the concentration of the unknown
solution using the formula:
 AUTO-IONISATION OF WATER:

 H2O (ℓ) + H2O (ℓ) → H3O+ (aq) + OH- (aq)

(auto-ionisation of water - reaction of water with
itself).





 Ka and Kb :

 Ka and Kb are the equilibrium constants for

the reaction of an acid or a base with water.
 A large Ka or Kb means that the acid or base
is strong.
 A small Ka or Kb means that the acid or base
is weak.
Ka and Kb : ... Cont.
Ka and Kb : ... Cont.
 WORKED EXAMPLES 1:

1. Calculate the pH of a solution of HCl of

concentration 1×10-2 mol·dm-3.
2. Calculate the pH of a solution of HNO3 of
concentration 1×10-3 mol·dm-3.
3. Calculate the pH of a solution of H2SO4 of
concentration 5×10-2 M, assuming complete
ionisation of the acid.
4. Calculate the pH of a solution of H2SO4 of
concentration 1×10-2 M, assuming complete
ionisation of the acid.
5. Calculate the pH of a solution of NaOH of
concentration 1 × 10-2 M.
 WORKED EXAMPLES 1: ... Cont.

6. Calculate the pH of a solution of KOH of

concentration 10 mol·dm-3.
 WORKED EXAMPLES 2:

1. Calculate the equilibrium constant for

hydrochloric acid added to 1,38 dm3 of water:
HCl (aq) + H2O (ℓ) → H3O+(aq) + Cl- (aq)
n(HCl) in solution = 0,005 mol
n(Cl-) in solution = 87,3 mol
2. The equilibrium constant (Kb) for the following
reaction is 1,8 x 10-5.
NH3 (aq) + H2O (ℓ) → NH4+ (aq) + OH- (aq)
Calculate the mass (at equilibrium) of NH3
molecules dissolved in 4 dm3 of water if there is a
0,00175 mol.dm-3 concentration of hydroxide ions
 WORKED EXAMPLES 2: ... Cont.

3. State whether the acids and bases in the following

balanced chemical equations are strong or weak
and give a reason for your answer.
 WORKED EXAMPLES 2: ... Cont.

4. State whether the acids and bases in the following

questions are strong or weak and give a reason for
your answer.
COMPARING STRONG & WEAKS ACIDS
IN TERMS OF pH:

pH of 0,10 M solutions of common acids

 CONDUCTIVITY & REACTIVITY OF
STRONG & WEAK ACIDS:

 The greater the number of ions in solution, the

better the conductivity of a solution.
 This means that strong acids, having a high
concentration of ions in solution because of their
high degree of ionisation, will be good
conductors of electricity.
 A weak acid has a lower degree of ionisation
and will have a lower concentration of ions in
solution and will not be a good conductor of
electricity.
 CONDUCTIVITY & REACTIVITY OF
STRONG & WEAK ACIDS: ... Cont.

 A strong acid reacts faster than a weak acid of

the same concentration.
 This is because the strong acid has more ions
present in solution because of its high degree of
ionisation and will therefore react faster than the
weak acid.
 WORKED EXAMPLES 3:

1. Which sample in each of the following pairs

will conduct electricity the easiest?
(a) HCl (aq) or H2CO3 (aq)?
(b) Ca(OH)2 or NaOH?
2. Which sample in each of the following pairs
will react the most vigorously in a reaction?
(a) KOH or Mg(OH)2?
(b) CH3COOH or H2SO4?
 EXERCISE

SIYAVULA 9.3 :pg 358

SIYAVULA 9-6 : pg 377
 QUESTION 7 : JUNE EXAM 2022 PAPER 2