Acids and Bases Calculations

Strong acids on their own

To calculate pH use pH = -log [H+] where H+ is the concentration of the acid.

For sulphuric acid remember that the concentration of H+ ions is twice the concentration of the acid in the
question, (i.e. multiply the concentration of the acid by two before logging it).
If working backwards from pH to find concentration use 10-pH.
For sulphuric acid divide the answer you get by two to get the concentration of the acid. (The concentration
of hydrogen ions you have worked out is twice the concentration of the acid.)
(2 marks or 3 marks for sulphuric acid since there is an extra step)

Weak acids on their own

Write the expression for Ka. You can then say that since [H+] = [A-],
[H+] = √ (Ka x [HA])
(4 marks if you are required to write an expression for Ka first)
Ka may sometimes be given as pKa, in which case you need to convert it back by using Ka = 10-pKa

The ionic product of water

Kw = [H+][OH-]
If pure water [H+] = [OH-] and the water is therefore neutral regardless of the value you get for pH
This means that [H+] = √ Kw. (Don’t forget that Kw varies with temperature) and then pH = -log [H+]
(4 marks if you are required to write an expression for Kw and explain why the pure water is still
neutral)

Strong bases on their own

The concentration of the base in the question is equal to [OH-], unless it has two hydroxide ions in the
formula, in which case multiply the concentration of the base by two to calculate [OH-].
Then use [H+] = Kw / [OH-] and pH = -log [H+]
(3 marks, possibly 4 if the base has two hydroxide ions)

pH of a diluted solution

Calculate number of moles, (original volume in dm3 x concentration)

Work out new concentration using moles / volume where the volume is the total volume after dilution.
This will give you [H+] if the solution is a strong acid, [OH-] if it is a strong base and [HX] if it is a weak
acid.
Then work out pH using the appropriate method from above.

Titration calculations

These are synoptic from AS Unit 1 and the word ‘titration’ will be in the question.
Use moles = volume in dm3 x concentration to calculate moles of acid or base.
Look at the mole ratio in the balanced chemical equation to work out the moles of the other reagent
Use concentration = moles / volume in dm3 to calculate the unknown concentration.
(2 marks, possibly 3 if not a 1:1 mole ratio)
Calculating the pH of a mixture – strong acid + strong base or weak acid + strong base are added
together

Work out moles of acid using moles = volume in dm3 x concentration

Work out moles of base in the same way.
Subtract to find out which one is in excess

If you have sulphuric acid, multiply the moles by two to find the moles of hydrogen ions
If you have a base with two hydroxide groups, multiply the moles by two to find the moles of hydroxide ions

Use the appropriate method depending upon what is in excess

(a) Excess strong acid

The number of moles you have calculated in excess is the number of moles of hydrogen ions
Turn this into a concentration by using concentration = moles / total volume in dm3
Use pH = -log [H+]
(5 marks or 6 marks if sulphuric acid)

(b) Excess strong base

The number of moles you have calculated in excess is the number of moles of hydroxide ions
Turn this into a concentration of hydroxide ions by using concentration = moles / total volume in dm3
Use [H+] = Kw / [OH-]
Then use pH = -log [H+]
(5 marks or 6 marks if two hydroxide groups in base)

(c) Excess weak acid

You have made a buffer solution as you have excess weak acid and the salt of that weak acid
The number of moles you have calculated in excess is the number of moles of weak acid, HX
Use the buffer equation: [H+] = Ka x ([HX] / [X-])
Since volumes cancel out, [HX] can be equal to the number of moles of weak acid in excess and [X-] can
be equal to the moles of salt formed as shown in the example below:

HX + NaOH  NaX + H2O

Start: 0.5 0.3 0 0
End: 0.2 0 0.3 -

The moles of salt formed is equal to the moles of strong base used up.
Then use pH = -log [H+]
(6 marks)

If the number of moles of weak acid in excess equals the number of moles of salt formed then it is half
neutralisation and the half equivalence point has been reached i.e. [HX] = [X-] and [H+] = Ka. This
means pH = pKa
Buffer solutions

To explain why a buffer solution maintains its pH for the addition of a small amount of alkali:
Extra/added OH– removed by reaction with H+ or the weak acid (or equation written) and ratio of [HX]/[X-]
remains almost constant
To explain why a buffer solution maintains its pH for the addition of a small amount of acid:
Extra/added H+ removed by reaction with X- (or equation written) and ratio of [HX]/[X-] remains almost
constant (2 marks per explanation)

Always use the buffer equation: [H+] = Ka x [HX]

[X-]

If you are given information about the weak acid, (HX) and the salt (X-) calculate either moles or
concentration for both and put into the buffer equation and use pH = -log [H+]
(Up to 4 marks per answer depending on difficulty)

 If a small quantity of alkali is added to the buffer: OH- + HX  X- + H2O

Calculate moles of alkali added using moles = volume in dm3 x concentration
The moles of HX will decrease by this number of moles and the moles of X- will increase by this
number of moles
Calculate the new moles of HX and X- and put into the buffer equation to calculate pH

 If a small quantity of acid is added to the buffer: H+ + X-  HX

Calculate moles of acid added using moles = volume in dm3 x concentration
The moles of X- will decrease by this number of moles and the moles of HX will increase by this
number of moles
Calculate the new moles of HX and X- and put into the buffer equation to calculate pH
(4 marks for each)

Indicators

 Must give a distinct colour change

 Must change colour sharply over a narrow pH range
 Must change colour in the pH range equivalent to the end point of the titration, (shown by the vertical
portion on the pH curve)

 Weak acid – weak base: no distinct end point, therefore no suitable indicator
 Weak acid strong base - end point is above pH 7
 Strong acid weak base – end point is below pH7
 Strong acid – strong base – end point is centred on pH 7, therefore all indicators suitable