42 Part 4

Chapter 16 Strength of Acids and Alkalis (Extension)

A. Multiple Choice Questions partial ionization

CH3COOH(aq) + water
1. C. SO42(aq) molecules
2. B. (2) and (3) only H+(aq) + CH3COO(aq)
3. A. (1) and (4) only
4. C. (2) and (3) only mobile ion
5. A. (3) only
Therefore, with the same concentration
(e.g. 1 M), hydrochloric acid contains a
B. Fill in the Blanks higher concentration of H+(aq) ions than
ethanoic acid in water. Hence,
1. completely / highly, hydrogen ions hydrochloric acid is a strong acid while
2. weak alkali, hydroxide ions ethanoic acid is a weak acid.

C. Comprehensive Questions 2. Strength of an acid and alkali refers to its

1. Hydrochloric acid and ethanoic acid with
the same concentration (e.g. 1 M) do not
give the same concentration of hydrogen
ions, H+(aq), in water.
For 1 M hydrochloric acid, the HCl
molecules ionize completely in water to
form H+(aq) ions and Cl(aq) ions. That is,
all the HCl molecules have changed to
ions.
HCl(aq) + water
molecules
complete ionization
 H+(aq) + Cl(aq)
mobile ions
However, for 1M ethanoic acid, only some
of the CH3COOH molecules ionize in
water to form H+(aq) ions and
CH3COO(aq) ions. That is, only a small
portion of the CH3COOH molecules have
changed to ions. CH3COOH molecules,
H2O molecules, H+(aq) ions and
CH3COO(aq) ions coexist in the acid
solution.
extent of ionization or dissociation in
aqueous solution.
3. Sodium hydroxide solution and ammonia
solution with the same concentration (e.g.
1 M) do not give the same concentration
of hydroxide ions, OH(aq), in water.
For sodium hydroxide, ions are present
originally. When it dissolves in water, it
dissociates completely into mobile Na+
ions and OH ions.
Na+OH(s) + water
immobile ions
complete dissociation
  Na+(aq) + OH(aq)
mobile ions
For ammonia, it is a covalent compound
with simple molecular structure. Ions are
not present originally. When ammonia
dissolves in water, only some of the NH3
molecules ionize in water to form
NH4+(aq) ions and OH ions. That is, only
a small portion of the NH3 molecules have
changed to ions. NH3 molecules, NH4+(aq)

Chapter 16 Solutions (EE).doc


ions and OH ions coexist in the solution.
NH3(aq) + H2O(l)
molecules
partial ionization
NH4+(aq) + OH(aq)
mobile ions
Therefore, with the same concentration (e.g.
1 M), sodium hydroxide solution contains
a higher concentration of OH(aq) ions
than aqueous ammonia. In other words,
with the same concentration, sodium
hydroxide has a higher pH than ammonia.
Sodium hydroxide is a strong alkali while
ammonia is a weak alkali.
4. (a) D>C>F
(b) B>E>A
5. The relative strength of acids and alkalis
can be compared by measuring the pH
values and electrical conductivities. In
comparison of the strength of acids with
equal concentrations, a strong acid has a
higher concentration of hydrogen ions
than a weak acid. Thus, a strong acid has a
lower pH value than a weak acid. Besides,
with equal concentrations, a strong acid
has a higher electrical conductivity than a
weak acid does. This is because a strong
acid contains a higher concentration of
mobile ions than a weak acid does.
In comparison of the strength of alkalis
with equal concentrations, a strong alkali
has a higher concentration of hydroxide
ions than a weak alkali. Thus, a strong
alkali has a higher pH value than a weak
alkali. Besides, with equal concentrations,
a strong alkali has a higher electrical
conductivity than a weak alkali. This is
because a strong alkali has a higher
concentration of mobile ions than a weak
alkali.
Chapter 16 43
6. Ethanoic acid > nitric acid > sulphuric acid
The pH scale is a measure of the
concentration of hydrogen ions in solutions
and it is used to show the degree of acidity
and alkalinity. The greater the number of
hydrogen ions given out when dissolved in
water, the more acidic the solution.
Both sulphuric acid and nitric acid can
completely (or highly) ionize to give
hydrogen ions in water, so they are strong
acids. However, ethanoic acid can only
partly (or slightly) ionize to give hydrogen
ions in water, so it is a weak acid.
Therefore, both sulphuric acid and nitric
acid have a lower pH than ethanoic acid.
Besides, since sulphuric acid is a dibasic
acid which gives two hydrogen ions in
water and nitric acid is a monobasic acid
which only gives one hydrogen ion in
water, the pH of sulphuric acid is lower
than that of nitric acid.
7. HKCEE Question
8. Strength of an acid or alkali refers to its
extent of ionization or dissociation in
aqueous solution.
Concentration of an acid or alkali refers to
the amount dissolved in a unit volume of
aqueous solution.
D. Essay-type Question
1. To test the strength of solutions A and B,
we can measure their electrical
conductivity.
The reagents and apparatus are arranged
as the following:
Chapter 16 Solutions (EE).doc
44 Part 4

Secondly, concentrated acids of A and B

are compared. Put the solution of
concentrated acid A into a beaker and set
up the apparatus as shown. Then, put the
solution of concetrated acid B into a
beaker and set up the apparatus as shown.
Compare the brightness of the light bulbs
in the two set-ups. The solution which
makes the light bulb glows brighter is the
stronger acid, while the solution which
makes the light bulb glows dimmer is the
weaker acid.

Firstly, dilute acids of A and B are

compared. Put the solution of dilute acid A
into a beaker and set up the apparatus as
shown. Then, put the solution of dilute
acid B into a beaker and set up the
apparatus as shown. Compare the
brightness of the light bulbs in the two
set-ups. The solution which makes the
light bulb glows brighter is the stronger
acid, while the solution which makes the
light bulb glows dimmer is the weaker
acid.

Chapter 16 Solutions (EE).doc

 Chapter 16 45

Chapter 16 Solutions (EE).doc