Queen's College London

Acids and Bases

Q1.This question is about alkalis and carboxylic acids.

In this question, all data are quoted at 25 °C.

(a) Carboxylic acids are weak acids.

State the meaning of the term weak as applied to carboxylic acids.

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(1)

(b) Write an equation for the reaction of propanoic acid with sodium carbonate.

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(1)

(c) Calculate the pH of a 0.0120 mol dm solution of calcium hydroxide.

–3

The ionic product of water K = 1.00 × 10 mol dm .w

–14 2 –6

Give your answer to 2 decimal places.

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(Extra space).................................................................................................

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(3)

(d) The value of the acid dissociation constant K for benzenecarboxylic acid a

(C H COOH) is 6.31 × 10 mol dm .

6 5
–5 –3

(i) Write an expression for the acid dissociation constant K for benzenecarboxylic a

acid.

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(1)

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(ii) Calculate the pH of a 0.0120 mol dm solution of benzenecarboxylic acid.
–3

Give your answer to 2 decimal places.

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(Extra space).......................................................................................

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(3)

(iii) A buffer solution with a pH of 4.00 is made using benzenecarboxylic acid and
sodium benzenecarboxylate.

Calculate the mass of sodium benzenecarboxylate (M = 144.0) that should be r

dissolved in 1.00 dm of a 0.0120 mol dm solution of benzenecarboxylic acid

3 –3

to produce a buffer solution with a pH of 4.00

The value of the acid dissociation constant K for benzenecarboxylic acid

a

(C H COOH) is 6.31 × 10 mol dm .

6 5
–5 –3

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(5)

(e) Two solutions, one with a pH of 4.00 and the other with a pH of 9.00, were left open
to the air.

The pH of the pH 9.00 solution changed more than that of the other solution.

Suggest what substance might be present in the air to cause the pH to change.
Explain how and why the pH of the pH 9.00 solution changes.

Substance present in air ................................................................................

Explanation ....................................................................................................

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(3)
(Total 17 marks)

Q2. (a) A sample of hydrochloric acid has a pH of 2.34

Write an expression for pH and calculate the concentration of this acid.

pH ................................................................................................................

Concentration ..............................................................................................

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(2)

(b) A 0.150 mol dm solution of a weak acid, HX, also has a pH of 2.34
–3

(i) Write an expression for the acid dissociation constant, K , for the acid HX. a

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(ii) Calculate the value of K for this acid and state its units.
a

Calculation .........................................................................................

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Units ....................................................................................................

(iii) Calculate the value of pK for the acid HX. Give your answer to two decimal
a

places.

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(5)

(c) A 30.0 cm sample of a 0.480 mol dm solution of potassium hydroxide was partially
3 –3

neutralised by the addition of 18.0 cm of a 0.350 mol dm solution of sulphuric acid.

3 –3

(i) Calculate the initial number of moles of potassium hydroxide.

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(ii) Calculate the number of moles of sulphuric acid added.

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(iii) Calculate the number of moles of potassium hydroxide remaining in excess in

the solution formed.

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(iv) Calculate the concentration of hydroxide ions in the solution formed.

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(v) Hence calculate the pH of the solution formed. Give your answer to two
decimal places.

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(6)
(Total 13 marks)

Q3. The sketch below shows the change in pH when a 0.200 mol dm solution of sodium –3

hydroxide is added from a burette to 25.0 cm of a 0.150 mol dm solution of the weak acid
3 -3

HA at 25 °C.

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(a) The volume of sodium hydroxide solution added at the equivalence point is x cm . 3

Calculate the value of x.

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(2)

(b) (i) Define the term pH.

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(ii) The pH at the equivalence point is c. Suggest a value for c.

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(iii) Identify a suitable indicator for detecting the equivalence point of the titration.

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(3)

(c) The value of K for the weak acid HA at 25 °C is 2.75 × 10 mol dm .

c
–5 –3

(i) Explain the term weak as applied to the acid HA.

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(ii) Write an expression for K for the acid HA.

a

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(iii) Calculate the pH of the 0.150 mol dm solution of acid HA before any sodium
–3

hydroxide is added, i.e. the pH at point a.

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(5)

(d) Calculate the pH of the solution formed when cm of the 0.200 mol dm solution of sodium
3 –3

hydroxide are added to 25.0 cm of the 0.150 mol dm solution of HA, i.e. the pH at point b.
3 –3

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(3)
(Total 13 marks)

M1.(a) (only) slightly or partially dissociated / ionised

Ignore ‘not fully dissociated’.
Allow low tendency to dissociate or to lose / donate a proton.
Allow shown equilibrium well to the left.
Otherwise ignore equations.
1

(b) 2CH3CH2COOH + Na2CO3 2CH3CH2COONa + H2O + CO2

OR

2CH3CH2COOH + CO32− 2CH3CH2COO− + H2O + CO2

OR

CH3CH2COOH + Na2CO3 CH3CH2COONa + NaHCO3

OR

CH3CH2COOH + CO32− CH3CH2COO− + HCO3−

Must be propanoic acid, allow C2H5COOH.
Not molecular formulae.
Allow multiples.
Ignore reversible sign.
Not H2CO3.
1

(c) [OH−] = 2 × 0.0120 = 0.0240 M1

Correct answer for pH with or without working scores 3.
1

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[H+] = = 4.166 × 10−13 OR pOH = 1.62 M2

If × 2 missed or used wrongly can only score M3 for correct

calculation of pH from their [H+].
1

pH = 12.38 M3
Lose M3 if not 2 decimal places: 12.4 scores 2.
12.08 scores 1 (missing × 2) ; 12.1 scores 0.
11.78 scores 1 (dividing by 2) 11.8 scores 0.
1

(d) (i) Ka =

Ignore ( ) here but brackets must be present.

Must be correct acid and salt.
If wrong, mark part (ii) independently.
1

(ii) M1 Ka = OR with numbers

Correct answer for pH with or without working scores 3.

Allow HX, HA and ignore ( ) here.
May score M1 in part (i).
1

M2 [H+] = √(6.31 × 10−5 × 0.0120) or √(Ka × [C6H5COOH])

(= √(7.572 × 10−7 = 8.70 ×10×4)
pH = 6.12 may score 2 if correct working shown and they
show the square root but fail to take it.

But if no working shown or wrong Ka =

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used which also leads to 6.12, then zero scored.
1

M3 pH = 3.06
Must be 2 decimal places ie 3.1 loses M3.
1

(iii) M1 [H+] = 10−4.00 = 1.00 × 10−4

Correct answer for mass with or without working scores 5.
Allow 1 × 10−4.
1

M2 [X−] =

Ignore ( ) here.
If [HX] / [X−] upside down, can score M1 plus
M4 for 5.26 × 10−7.
1

M3 =

And M5 for 7.57 × 10−5 g.

1

M4 = 7.572 × 10−3
1

M5 Mass (C6H5COONa) = 7.572 × 10−3 × 144 =1.09 g

or 1.1 g
Wrong method, eg using [H+]2 may only score M1 and M5 for
correct multiplication of their M4 by 144
(provided not of obviously wrong substance).
1

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(e) M1 CO2
Allow NOx and SO2.
1

M2 pH (It) falls / decreases

If M1 wrong, no further marks.
1

M3 mark M2 & M3 independently

acidic (gas)

OR reacts with alkali(ne solution) / OH−

OR CO2 + 2OH −
CO32− + H2O

OR CO2 + OH− HCO3−

Not forms H2CO3 H2SO3 H2SO4 etc OR H+ ions.
1
[17]

M2. (a) –log [H ] +

ecf if [ ] wrong and already penalised

1

4.57 × 10 –3

allow 4.6 × 10 –3

ignore units
1

(b) (i) K =
a allow HA etc

not but mark on

If expression wrong allow conseq units in (ii)
but no other marks in (ii)
1

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(ii) =
If use 4.6 × 10 –3

1
K = 1.4(1) × 10 and pKa = 3.85
a
–4

= 1.39 × 10 –4

allow 1.39 – 1.41 × 10 mol dm –4 –3

(iii) pK = 3.86
a

Penalise dp of final answer < or > 2 in pH once in paper

1

(c) (i) × 0.480 = 0.0144 or 1.4(4) ×10 –2

Mark is for answer (M1)

1

(ii) × 0.350 = 0.0063 or 6.3 × 10 –3

Mark is for answer (M2)

1

(iii) 0.0144 – 2(0.0063) = 1.80 × 10 –3

M3 is for (i) – 2(ii)

If x 2 missed, CE i.e. lose M3 and the next mark gained
1

(iv) 1.80 × 10 × –3
= 0.0375 (0.038)
M4 is for answer

If vol is not 48 × 10 (unless AE) lose M4 and next mark gained

–3

If multiply by 48 - this is AE - i.e. lose only M4

If multiply by 48 × 10 this is AE - i.e. lose only M4
–3

(v) 10 / 0.0375
–14
(10 / 0.038) –14

M5 for K /[OH ] w
–

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(= 2.66 × 10 ) –13
(= 2.63 × 10 )
–13

or pOH

or pOH = 1.426 (or pOH = 1.420)

If no attempt to use K or pOH lose both M5 and M6
w

pH = 12.57 (12.58) M6
Allow M6 conseq on AE in M5 if method OK
1
[13]

M3. (a) moles HA = × 0.150 = 3.75 × 10 (1) –3

vol NaOH = = 1.875 × 10 dm (1)

–2 3

or 18.75 cm 3

(b) (i) pH = –log [H ] (1)

10
+

(ii) Value above 7 but below 11 (1)

(iii) phenol red / thymol blue / phenolphthalein / thymolphthalein

i.e. indicator with 7 < pK <11 in

(c) (i) Only slightly dissociated/ionised (1)

NOT “not fully dissociated / ionised”

(ii) K =
a (1)

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NOT

(iii) For weak acid alone:

Ka = (1)

[H ] =
+

= 2.03 × 10 (1)
–3

pH = 2.69 (1)
pH should be given to 2 decimal places
penalise answer to 1 d.p. once in question
5

(d) moles OH added = 1.875 × 10 = moles A = moles HA left (1)

– –3 –

or [A ] = [HA]
–

Ka = [H ] or pH = pK (1)
+
a

pH = 4.56 (1)
3
[13]

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