Threshold Questions

1 Calculate the H+(aq) and OH–(aq) concentrations in a solution of pH:

a 2.6 c 7.4 e 10.0 g 14.0 i 13.6

b 11.9 d 5.3 f 7.0 h 0.20 j 0.0

2 Calculate the pH of the following solutions:

a 0.50 M HCl e 0.00012 M LiOH i 1.5 M KNO3

b 0.020 M HI f 0.0030 M Ba(OH)2 j 0.045 M glucose

c 0.0060 M HNO3 g 0.00050 M Sr(OH)2

d 0.50 M KOH h 0.50 M NaCl

3 Write the formula for the conjugate base of:

a HI

b HCN

c NH3

d HCO3–

e H2S

4 Write the formula for the conjugate acid of:

a I–

b PO43–

c NH3

d HCO3–

e O2–
5 Complete the following table showing the conjugate acid and base for each.

Conjugate Acid Substance Conjugate Base

H2O

OH–

NH3

HSO4–

CO32–

HCO3–

H2PO4–

Intermediate Questions
6 Calculate the pH of a solution made by diluting 1.00 mL of 0.100 M HCl with water to a
total volume of:

a 10.0 mL c 100,000 mL

b 1000 mL d 10,000,000 mL

7 Hydrogen chloride (HCl) is a gas at R.T.P. but, when dissolved in water, the solution is
called “hydrochloric acid”.

a What volume of HCl gas at R.T.P. must be dissolved in 500 mL of water to produce a
solution of pH = 4.00? (Assume the volume does not change when the gas dissolves).

b If 10.0 mL of the solution in (a) was diluted with water until its total volume was
1.00 litre calculate its new pH.

8 When 225 mL of 0.15 M NaOH solution are mixed with 75 mL of 0.20 M HNO3 solution
calculate the final:

a H+ and OH– concentrations; b pH and pOH.

9 How much water should be added to 100 mL of 0.300 M NaOH solution give the resulting
solution a pH of 13.0?

10 Calculate the pH of a solution 1.00 litre of which contains a mixture of 1.00 gram of NaOH,
1.00 gram of KOH and 1.00 gram of Ba(OH)2.
11 Using the Brønsted–Lowry theory briefly explain why:

a an aqueous solution of NaCl is neutral

b an aqueous solution of NaF is alkaline

c an aqueous solution of NH3 is alkaline

d an aqueous solution of NH4Cl is acidic

e an aqueous solution of NaCH3COO is alkaline

12 Assuming all volumes are additive, calculate the pH of the solution made by mixing:

a 25.0 mL of 0.100 M HCl with 25.0 mL of 0.0500 M NaOH

b 25.0 mL 0.200 M HI with 25.0 mL 0.100 M KOH

c 50.0 mL 0.0100 M HNO3 with 25.0 mL 0.0500 M LiOH

d 10.0 mL 0.040 M HBr with 10.0 mL 0.020 M Sr(OH)2

e 10.0 mL of 0.0400 M H2SO4 with 15.0 mL of 0.0400 M Ba(OH)2

13 The dihydrogenphosphate ion (H2PO4–) can function as an acid or a base according to the
Brønsted–Lowry theory.

a Write formulas for its conjugate acid and its conjugate base.

b Can the monohydrogenphosphate ion (HPO42–) also function as an acid or a base?

If so, write formulas for its conjugate acid and conjugate base.

c Can the phosphate ion (PO43–) also function as an acid or a base? If so, write formulas
for its conjugate acid and conjugate base.

d Which solution would have the lower pH: 1.0 M NaH2PO4 or 1.0 M Na2HPO4?

14

a Hydrogen chloride reacts with water according to:

~
HCl (aq) + H2O (l) H3O+ (aq) + Cl– (aq)

Label the two bases in this reaction and identify the stronger one.

b Hydrogen fluoride reacts with water according to:

~
HF (aq) + H2O (l) H3O+ (aq) + F– (aq)

Label the two bases in this reaction and identify the stronger one.

c Arrange the three bases in (a) and (b) in order of decreasing strength.

d Arrange the three acids in (a) and (b) in order of decreasing strength.

e What reaction, if any, would take place if some F– ions (from dissolved NaF) were
added to a HCl solution?
15 One litre of a saturated solution of calcium hydroxide (known as limewater) contains
0.74 grams of the solute.

a Calculate the molar concentration of calcium hydroxide in this solution.

b Calculate the concentration of OH– (aq) ions present in a saturated solution of

calcium hydroxide

c Calculate the pH of a saturated solution of calcium hydroxide (“limewater”).

16 The pH of 1.0 M acetic acid (CH3COOH) solution is 2.4.

a Write a net ionic equation to represent the formation of H+ (aq) ions in an acetic acid
solution.

b Calculate the H+ (aq) concentration in this solution.

c What percentage of the CH3COOH molecules have dissociated into ions?

d What concentration of hydrochloric acid solution would have the same pH as a

1.0 M acetic acid solution?

17 The measured pH of 0.100 M ammonia solution is 11.2.

a Calculate the concentration of OH–(aq) ions in a 0.100 M ammonia solution.

b Write a net ionic equation to represent the formation of OH–(aq) ions in a

0.10 M ammonia solution

c Calculate the percentage of the NH3 molecules which have formed NH4+ (aq) ions in a
0.100 M ammonia solution.

d Evaluate the ratio (mol of NH3 molecules) ÷ (mol of NH4+ ions) in the solution.

e Explain why it is incorrect to label this solution as “0.100 M ammonium hydroxide”

18 Solve the following:

a Calculate the number of moles of H+ (aq) ions which are present in 100.0 mL of a
solution with pH = 1.00.

b Calculate the number of moles of H+ (aq) ions that are present in 150.0 mL of a
solution with pH = 2.00.

c Calculate the pH of a solution made by mixing together 100.0 mL of

0.10 M hydrochloric acid with 150.0 mL of 0.010 M hydrochloric acid.

19 A 1.0 M solution of sodium hydrogensulfate (NaHSO4) has a pH of 1.0.

a Write a net ionic equation for the hydrolysis reaction of the HSO4–(aq) ion with water.

b Calculate the percentage of HSO4–(aq) ions that undergo this reaction.

20 Calculate the pH of the solution formed by mixing 20.0 mL of 0.100 M hydrochloric acid
solution with the following volumes of 0.100 M sodium hydroxide solution:

a 10.0 mL d 20.0 mL g 30.0 mL

b 15.0 mL e 21.0 mL

c 19.0 mL f 25.0 mL
21 The pH of 0.10 M nitric acid (HNO3) solution is 1.0. The pH of 0.10 M nitrous acid solution
(HNO2) is 2.2.

a Which acid solution has the higher concentration of H+(aq) ions?

b Which is the stronger acid?

c Which acid solution is the better electrical conductor?

d Which acid solution would change blue litmus to red?

e If equal volumes were compared, which acid solution would neutralise the greater
mass of solid sodium hydroxide?

22 Even though salts are formed by neutralisation, the solutions of many salts are not neutral.
This is due to hydrolysis. Predict whether 1 M solutions of each of the following salts would
have a pH of 7, greater than 7, or less than 7.

a ammonium chloride e sodium acetate i barium nitrate

b calcium bromide f ammonium sulfate j aluminium sulfate

c zinc iodide g lithium iodide

d potassium fluoride h iron(III) chloride

23 Five bottles each contain a different colourless solution. The solutions are LiOH, CaBr2,
NH3, NH4NO3 and HI. Their measured pH’s are 1.0, 5.2, 7.0, 11.2 and 13.0, in no particular
order. All have the same molar concentration.

a Identify the contents of each bottle.

b Determine the concentration of the solutions.

24 In a solution prepared by dissolving 0.100 mol of acetic acid in water to make 1.00 L of
solution, only 1.3 % of the CH3COOH molecules dissociate into ions. What is the pH of this
solution?

25 “Traffic light indicator” is made by mixing two common indicators whose colours at
different pH’s are tabulated below:

pH 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

methyl orange red orange yellow

thymolphthalein colourless blue

Estimate the predominant colour that a mixture of these two indicators would show at a
pH of:

a 2

b 6

c 10
26 The graph shows the relationship between pH value and hydronium ion concentration,
[H3O+] for common aqueous solutions and mixtures.

a What are the hydronium and hydroxide ion concentrations of tomato juice?

b What colour is
bromothymol blue when
added to milk of magnesia?

c Which mixture is about 100

times more acidic than
milk of magnesia?

d In which solution are the

hydronium and hydroxide
ion concentrations most
nearly equal?

e Seawater contains
carbonate ions. Explain
how these determine
seawater’s pH (use an
equation).

27 Three acid samples are prepared for titration against 0.010 M NaOH solution.

Sample #1 is prepared by dissolving 0.010 moles of nitric acid in 50 mL of water.

Sample #2 is prepared by dissolving 0.010 moles of nitric acid in 70 mL of water.

Sample #3 is prepared by dissolving 0.010 moles of nitric acid in 100 mL of water.

a Which of the acid solutions, if any, is the most concentrated?

b Which of the acid solutions, if any, will require the largest volume of NaOH solution for
complete neutralisation?

28

a Calculate the mass of oxalic acid (H2C2O4) needed to make 250.0 mL of a standard
0.100 M oxalic acid solution.

b In a series of numbered steps, briefly describe how you would prepare this solution
(you are provided with a 250 mL volumetric flask).

29 Solid sodium hydroxide quickly absorbs water from the air so that it is very difficult to
weigh accurately. You are required to make 500.0 mL of sodium hydroxide solution whose
concentration is near 0.1 M and is accurately known to at least 3 significant figures (i.e.
standardised).

a Calculate the mass of sodium hydroxide needed to make about 500 mL of

0.1 M sodium hydroxide solution.

b Briefly describe a procedure (using the standard oxalic acid solution prepared in
Question 22), that will allow you to determine the concentration of the sodium
hydroxide solution to 3 significant figures.
30 Hydrochloric acid purchased from manufacturers is usually sold as an approximately 11 M
solution. Briefly describe how you would use this to make 500.0 mL of a standard HCl
solution of concentration near 0.2 M using the standard solution prepared in Question 23.
First calculate the approximate volume of 11 M hydrochloric acid needed to make 500 mL
of 0.2 M hydrochloric acid solution, then briefly describe a procedure that will allow you to
determine its concentration precisely.

31 Pure sodium carbonate (Na2CO3) is used in the standardisation of hydrochloric acid

solutions. 250.0 mL of a standard sodium carbonate solution was prepared by dissolving
1.00 g of pure solid Na2CO3 in water. A 25.0 mL sample of this solution completely reacted
with 22.0 mL of an HCl solution whose concentration was unknown. Calculate the
concentration of the HCl solution.

32 Briefly explain why a beaker or flask is washed out with water before use, but a pipette or
burette is rinsed with water and then a few millilitres of the solution with which it will soon
be filled.

33 Suggest a suitable indicator for each of the following titrations and describe the colour
change:

a acetic acid vs potassium hydroxide

b nitric acid vs potassium hydroxide

c sulfuric acid vs ammonia

34 50.0 mL of an unknown sulfuric acid solution exactly reacts with 20.0 mL of 0.200 M
sodium hydroxide solution. Calculate the molar concentration of the acid.

35 The label on a solid drain cleaner, “Drano”, states that NaOH is its active ingredient. A
13.66 g sample of “Drano” was transferred into a 500.0 mL volumetric flask and the
solution was made up to volume by adding water.

15.0 mL samples of this solution required an average of 20.95 mL of 0.110 M sulfuric acid
to reach the end point using bromothymol blue as indicator.

a Write a balanced equation that represents this neutralisation reaction.

b Calculate the number of moles of NaOH in the original sample of “Drano”.

c Determine the percentage of sodium hydroxide in the sample of “Drano”.

36 100.0 mL of a solution containing sodium carbonate and sodium hydroxide needed 30.0
mL of 0.122 M hydrochloric acid for complete neutralisation. A second 100.0 mL sample of
the solution was first mixed with barium chloride solution (to remove all the carbonate ions
as solid barium carbonate) then filtered; the filtrate then required 20.0 mL of 0.122 M
hydrochloric acid for complete neutralisation.

a Calculate the number of moles of HCl used in the first titration.

b Calculate the number of moles of HCl used in the second titration.

c Calculate the number of moles of NaOH that reacted in the second titration.

d Calculate the number of moles of Na2CO3 that reacted in the first titration.

e Calculate the concentrations of Na2CO3 and NaOH present in the solution.

37 The table lists, alphabetically, the pH’s of 0.10 M aqueous solutions of five weak
monoprotic acids.
 Acid acetic cyanic formic hydrofluoric hypochlorous

CH3COOH HOCN HCOOH HF HOCl

pH 2.9 2.2 2.4 2.1 4.3

a Arrange the five acids in decreasing order of strength

b Write the formulas of the conjugate bases of these five acids and arrange them in
decreasing order of strength.

Advanced Questions
38 The following equations represent reactions that occur almost completely in the direction
indicated.

i H2O (l) + CH3O– (aq) CH3OH (aq) + OH– (aq)

ii HNO3 (aq) + H2O (l) H3O+ (aq) + NO3– (aq)

iii H3O+ (aq) + CN– (aq) HCN (aq) + H2O (l)

iv HCN (aq) + OH– (aq) H2O (l) + CN– (aq)

a Circle the stronger Brønsted–Lowry base in each reaction.

b Determine the order from strongest to weakest for all the five bases shown.

c The stronger a base, the weaker is its conjugate acid. Determine the order from
strongest to weakest for all the acids shown.

39 Acid–base reactions can go forward or backward according to how strong the two bases
are. Complete equations for each of the following acid–base combinations. Label each
reactant as either an acid or a base. For each reversible reaction shown below predict
whether the reactants (on the L.H.S.) or products (on the R.H.S.) are more numerous by
comparing the strengths of the two bases which are in competition with each other.

a HF(aq) + SO42– (aq)

b H3PO4(aq) + NO3– (aq)

c NH4+(aq) + OH–(aq)

40 50.0 mL of 0.100 M HNO3 were mixed with 60.0 mL of 0.100 M Ca(OH)2 solution. Calculate
the volume of 0.500 M H2SO4 which is needed to neutralise this mixture.

41 Lactic acid is a water–soluble monoprotic acid. 1.00 gram of lactic acid was dissolved in
100 mL of water and titrated against a 0.125 M potassium hydroxide solution. 88.9 mL of
the KOH solution were required for complete neutralisation of the lactic acid solution.
Determine the molecular weight of lactic acid.

42 Insoluble acids (these - shown as HX) can be analysed by the back–titration procedure in
which the acid is first dissolved in an excess of standard NaOH solution, and the unreacted
NaOH is then titrated with standard HCl solution.
 some reacts
standard HCl solution
(forms NaCl + H2O)

standard NaOH solution

insoluble HX
(forms soluble NaX + H2O)
some reacts

Stearic acid is an insoluble monoprotic acid. 1.00 gram of stearic acid was added to
100.0 mL of 0.0500 M NaOH solution. It was then found that 9.24 mL of 0.160 M HCl
solution were needed to neutralise the excess sodium hydroxide.

a Calculate the total number of moles of NaOH which were added.

b Calculate the number of moles of NaOH which reacted with the HCl.

c Calculate the number of moles of NaOH which reacted with the stearic acid.

d Calculate the molecular weight of stearic acid.

43 A chemist dissolved 2.53 g of a solid lawn fertiliser (which contained some ammonium
sulfate) in water then added 50.0 mL of 0.216 M sodium hydroxide solution and boiled the
mixture. (The sodium hydroxide reacted with the ammonium sulfate forming ammonia
which evaporated from the mixture when it was boiled.) After all the ammonia was
removed the excess sodium hydroxide was titrated against 0.102 M hydrochloric acid;
13.9 mL of the acid were required for complete neutralisation.

a Calculate the total number of moles of NaOH which were added.

b Calculate the number of moles of NaOH which reacted with the HCl.

c Calculate the number of moles of NaOH which reacted with the (NH4)2SO4 in the
fertiliser.

d Calculate the number of moles of (NH4)2SO4 in the sample of fertiliser.

e Calculate the percentage by mass of (NH4)2SO4 in the sample of fertiliser.

f To check the analysis the chemist added excess barium chloride solution to the final
solution then filtered off the barium sulfate produced. Calculate the mass of barium
sulfate which would be obtained.
44 The curve shown relates to the titration of 25.0 mL of an ammonia solution of unknown
concentration against a 0.175 M hydrochloric acid solution.

a Apart from the horizontal axis label what part of the graph shows that HCl was added
to the ammonia (and not vice versa)?

b At what pH (approximately) was the equivalence point reached?

c Explain why the pH at the equivalence point of the titration is not 7.0.

d Explain why phenolphthalein (change interval = 8.3 – 10.0) would be unsuitable for
indicating the equivalence point.

e Would the indicator cresol red (pH change interval = 0.2 – 1.8) be suitable for this
titration?

f What volume of acid was required to reach the equivalence point?

g Calculate the concentration of the ammonia solution.

45 10.00 mL of an unknown KOH solution reacted completely with 25.00 mL of an unknown
HNO3 solution. In a separate titration 20.00 mL of the same KOH solution were added to
1.00 g of pure solid, insoluble benzoic acid.

These reacted according to: C6H5COOH + KOH C6H5COOK + H2O

The endpoint was passed and 9.02 mL of the unknown HNO3 solution were needed to
complete the neutralisation.

Calculate the concentrations of the potassium hydroxide and nitric acid solutions.

46 20.0 mL of 0.100 M hydrochloric solution are titrated against 0.100 M NaOH solution.
Calculate the pH of the mixture after each of the following volumes of sodium hydroxide
has been added:

a 0.0 mL e 20.0 mL

b 10.0 mL f 21.0 mL

c 15.0 mL g 25.0 mL

d 19.0 mL h 30.0 mL

i Use these results to sketch a titration curve for this titration.