Acid-Base Reactions and Equilibria

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What is the principle of Le Chatelier regarding equilibrium?

Le Chatelier's principle states that a system at equilibrium will adjust to counteract changes in concentration, temperature, or pressure.

What is a weak base, and can you give an example?

A weak base partially accepts protons; an example is ammonia (NH₃).

What is the difference between strong and weak acids?

Strong acids fully dissociate in water, while weak acids only partially dissociate.

Explain the role of an acid-base titration.

An acid-base titration is used to determine the concentration of an acid or base by reacting it with a solution of known concentration.

Why is the equivalence point important in a titration?

It's the point at which the amount of acid equals the amount of base, allowing the calculation of unknown concentration.

What is the Ka value indicative of?

Ka value indicates the strength of an acid; larger Ka values mean stronger acids.

What is the relationship between Ka and Kb?

For a conjugate acid-base pair, the product of Ka and Kb is equal to the ion product of water, Kw (1.0 x 10⁻¹⁴ at 25°C).

Why might a strong base be used in industrial cleaning?

Strong bases can effectively break down and dissolve organic materials and grease.

What are amphiprotic substances?

Amphiprotic substances can both donate and accept protons.

During neutralization, what two products are commonly formed?

Neutralization typically forms water and a salt.

What happens at the molecular level in an acid-base reaction?

Protons are transferred from the acid to the base.

What is a polyprotic acid, and give an example?

A polyprotic acid can donate more than one proton per molecule, such as sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄).

What is the autoionization of water?

Autoionization of water is the process where water molecules spontaneously form H⁺ and OH⁻ ions.

What is the common ion effect?

The common ion effect occurs when a given ion is added to an equilibrium system, impacting the extent of dissociation.

Why is the Haber process relevant to acid-base chemistry?

The Haber process involves the production of ammonia, a weak base, from nitrogen and hydrogen.