7.4 Relative strength of Bronsted- Lowry Acids and Bases 1.

The relative strength of Bronsted- Lowry cid and bases can be determined by measuring two quantites :A) degree of Dissociation,

B) Acid and Base Dissociation(0r Ionisation) constants, Ka , Kb 2.What relative strength means ? To compare two or more Bronsted- Lowry cid and bases respectively in terms of
ability to lose or gain protons. 3.The relative strength of Bronsted-Lowrys acids means by comparing two or more Bronsted-Lowry acids on the ability to donate a proton to a base 4.The relative strength of Bronsted-Lowrys means by comparing two or more Bronsted-Lowry on the ability to accept a proton from an acid. A Measuring Strength of Bronsted- Lowrys acids and bases using degree of dissociation,a

5.

The degree of dissociation , = [Amount dissociated]

[Original amount]

The degree of dissociation , (fraction) = [Amount dissociated] =

[Original amount] [Amount dissociated] [Original amount]

The degree of dissociation , (percentage) = [Amount dissociated] x 100%

[Original amount]

6. The higher the degree of dissociation of a acid(or a base) the stronger is the acid/base. 7.The lower the degree of dissociation of an acid(or a base) the weaker is the acids (or base) 8. A stronger acid(or a base) will have higher degree of dissociation to almost 100%

compared to a weaker acid (or base).

9. H2S04 /mol dm-3 or NaOH Degree of dissociation/% 0.01 100 0.10 100 1.00 100

Therefore the degree of dissociation of a stronger acid(or base) independent to its concentration . 10.
CH3COOH/mol dm-3 0.01 0.10 1.00 Degree of 4.24 1.34 0.42 dissociation/% Therefore the dissociation of a weaker acid(or a base ) is dependent on its concentration . 11. When comparing the strength of weak acids(or weak bases) we must ensure the concentration of the solutions under investigation are the same . Types of acids/mol dm-3 Degree of dissociation/% H2SO4 100 HNO2 6.6 CH3COOH 1.34 HSO429.0

We can arrange the four above acids in order decreasing strength : _______________________________________________________ B. Measuring strength of Measuring Strength of Bronsted- Lowrys acids and bases using Acid and Base Dissociation constants, Ka , Kb

12. We can derive the Acid and Base Dissociation constants, Ka , Kb respectively by applying the equilibrium law . Please refer page 224(text book) Derivation of Acid Dissociation constant, Ka for weak monobasic acid. 13. Consider a weak monobasic acid, HA of concentration C mol dm-3 with a degree of dissociation of

Write the reversible ionisation equation for the above dissociation

_____________________________________________________________ Or HA (aq) HO3+ (aq) + A-(aq)

14. Reactants or products /mol dm-3 Initial / mol dm-3 Change in degree of dissociation/mol dm-3 Final / mol dm-3 HA c -c c-c H+ 0 +c 0+c= c A0 +c 0+c= c

=c(1-)

15. By applying The equilibrium law:- Please refer page 224(text book) We get :[H+] [A- ] =dissociation Constant for the acid , Ka [HA] 16. Why the [H2O] is not included in the the above equation ? __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ 17. The acid dissociation, Ka is another form of equilibrium constant by applying the equilibrium law. Characteristics of the acid dissociation, Ka 18. Note that different weak acid has different magnitude of Ka . 19.The strength of a weak acid is measure by the dissociation constant (Ka ) of the acid. The higher the magnitude of magnitude of Ka ,the stronger the acid the

greater the extent of dissociation. 20.The magnitude of Ka for CH3COOH and other weak acids are usually very small . (pls refer page 260 no.5) and page (345-346) 21. Since the values are very small a more convenient way to use the values, is by using pKa to compare the strength of acids where:pKa = -log10 Ka where p=-log10 22. Notice the larger the value of pKa ,the smaller the value of Ka ,and the stronger the acid. Please refer page 260.no.5 23. The acid dissociation constant, like the equilibrium constant is dependent on temperature . The value use are usually quoted at 25oC(298K) .

Derivation of Base Dissociation constant, Kb for weak base. 24. For a weak base ,B that dissociates in water to equation : B(aq) + H2O(l) HB+(aq) + OH-

By using the same method to derive Ka ,by applying the equilibrium law We get [HB+][OH-] = Kb [B] and p Kb =-log10 Kb 25. The characteristic of the value Ka also can be applied to Kb . 26. The bigger the value of Kb, the smaller the value of pKb ,the stronger the base ,