Acids & Bases

• What are the traits of an acid?

  Donate hydrogen ions (H+). As such they are called proton donors.
• What is a monoprotic acid?


  Donates one proton per molecule when they dissociate.
• What is a polyprotic acid?


  Donates more than one proton per molecule when they dissociate.
• How to measure a strong acid or base?


  How much it ionises (separates into ions) in a solution. Strong acid fully ionise and a weak acid will partially. Strong bases completely ionise and a weak one will partially.
• What is an electrolyte?


  A substance that conducts electricity when molten or in aqueous solution.
• Water is a weak electrolyte.
• In water a small fraction of H2O molecules react to form H3O+ and OH- ions. This is known as self-ionisation of water. It is an equilibrium constant.
• What kind of reaction is the self ionisation of water?


  An endothermic.
• How does temperature affect self ionisation of water?


  This will favour the products as such Kw will change with temp. (increasing)
• What is the pH scale?


  Is logarithmic. A change in pH by one unit represents a 10-fold change in hydrogen ion conc.
• What is the Bronstead-Lowry Model?


  An equation will show the transfer of ions between the conjugate acid-base pairs. Conjugate acid is when a base accepts protons. Conjugate base is when an acid donates its protons.
• What is the amphiprotic species?


  Are molecules that can either donate or accept a proton. They either act as an acid or base.