4.4 - Weak Base vs. Strong Acid Titration
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Initial pH Calculation
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Today, we will discuss titration processes, specifically the initial pH of a weak base when titrated with a strong acid. Can anyone tell me how we can determine this?
I think we need to use pKb for the weak base to find pH.
"Exactly, Student_1! We start by writing the equilibrium reaction:
Buffer Region Behavior
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Now that we understand the initial pH, let's explore what happens as we begin adding the strong acid to our weak base. What do you think changes at this point?
I think the pH will gradually decrease as we add the acid.
Correct! In this buffer region, we use the Henderson-Hasselbalch equation. Can anyone remind us of that formula?
Itβs pH = pKa + log([Aβ»]/[HA]), right?
Almost! For bases like in our case, we adjust it to pOH = pKb + log([BHβΊ]/[B]). This relationship allows us to find the pH more accurately during titration as we form the conjugate acid. How can we apply this?
We can calculate the concentrations of BHβΊ and B based on the moles added and the total volume!
Exactly! Let's remember to keep those ratios in mind. Any other questions about the buffer region?
Performing Calculations at Equivalence Point
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Now, as we reach the equivalence point, all of our weak base has converted into its conjugate acid. What do we need to do to determine pH here?
We have to analyze the hydrolysis of the conjugate acid!
"Exactly, Student_4! At the equivalence point:
Final pH After Equivalence
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Finally, letβs discuss what happens after the equivalence point is reached. What controls our pH now?
The leftover strong acid in the solution decides the pH.
Exactly! To calculate pH, we just look at the remaining moles of a strong acid. What equation do we use to find this?
We calculate the moles of acid present after the equivalence point and determine the concentration!
Well done! Thatβs right! So pH is calculated just like before with strong acids. Remember, understanding these steps can significantly sharpen our titration skills.
Can you recap everything one last time?
Certainly! We analyzed initial pH using Kb, then looked at the buffer region using Henderson-Hasselbalch. At equivalence, we considered the hydrolysis of the conjugate acid, and finally, we assess the pH based on any excess strong acid thereafter. Excellent work today, team!
Introduction & Overview
Read summaries of the section's main ideas at different levels of detail.
Quick Overview
Standard
In this section, we examine the process of titrating a weak base with a strong acid, focusing on the reaction's stoichiometry and equilibrium characteristics. Specific emphasis is placed on understanding pH changes throughout the titration and how to perform related calculations at different stages of the titration curve.
Detailed
Weak Base vs. Strong Acid Titration
In this section, we focus on the titration process when a weak base is mixed with a strong acid. The reaction stoichiometry indicates a 1:1 ratio, where the weak base (B) reacts with the strong acid (HA) to produce the conjugate acid (BHβΊ) and the conjugate base (Aβ»). This section discusses the initial pH determination based on the weak base equilibrium, the behavior of the system before equivalence, at the equivalence point, and beyond.
Key Points:
- Initial pH: The pH is determined by the weak base equilibrium, which is described by the equation:
B + HβO β BHβΊ + OHβ»
The initial concentration of hydroxide ions allows the calculation of the pH.
2. Before Equivalence: As titrant is added, the system behaves like a buffer where both B and BHβΊ are present. The Henderson-Hasselbalch equation can be used to analyze the pH:
pOH = pKb + logββ ([BHβΊ] Γ· [B])
and the pH can be calculated using pKw.
3. At Equivalence Point: Once all weak base B has converted into its conjugate acid BHβΊ, the pH drops due to the hydrolysis of BHβΊ in water, leading to the equation:
BHβΊ + HβO β B + HβOβΊ
Using the Ka value for BHβΊ, it is possible to find the concentration of HβΊ and calculate the final pH, which is typically acidic.
4. After Equivalence: When all the weak base has reacted, any remaining strong acid will determine the pH. Simple calculations based on remaining acid concentrations will yield the final pH.
This thorough understanding of weak base and strong acid titration is critical for accurate quantitative analysis in chemistry.
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Reaction and Stoichiometry
Chapter 1 of 3
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Chapter Content
Generic reaction of a weak base (B) with a strong acid (HA):
B + HA β BH plus + A minus
- 1:1 stoichiometry for B and HA.
- At equivalence, all base has been converted to its conjugate acid BH plus. The resulting solution is acidic because BH plus donates H plus in water.
Detailed Explanation
In this chunk, we understand the basic chemical reaction during the titration of a weak base with a strong acid. The weak base, represented as 'B', reacts with a strong acid 'HA'. In this reaction, one mole of weak base reacts with one mole of strong acid, which we describe as 1:1 stoichiometry. At the equivalence point of the titration, all of the weak base has reacted to form its conjugate acid, which is represented as 'BH plus'. This denotes that the resulting solution becomes acidic because this conjugate acid can donate protons (H plus) in water, leading to a decrease in pH.
Examples & Analogies
Think of this reaction as a game of tag where 'B' is someone who is 'it' and 'HA' is the person they are trying to tag. When 'B' tags 'HA', it becomes a new person 'BH plus'. Now, 'BH plus' is like a new player in the game who can also tag others (donate H plus) but is now on the other team (the acid side).
Titration Curve Features
Chapter 2 of 3
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Chapter Content
- Initial pH: pH determined by the weak base equilibrium.
B + HβO β BH plus + OH minus - Use Kb to calculate initial pH.
-
Before Equivalence: Buffer region where B and BH plus are in equilibrium. Use Henderson-Hasselbalch form for bases:
pOH = pKb + logββ ([BH plus] Γ· [B]) -
or equivalently for pH:
pH = pKw β pOH -
Equivalence Point: All base has become BH plus. BH plus hydrolyzes in water:
BH plus + HβO β B + HβO plus - The solution is acidic. Calculate [H plus] from the acid dissociation constant Ka for BH plus, where Ka = Kw Γ· Kb.
- After Equivalence: Excess strong acid controls pH. Use straightforward calculation for strong acid in remaining volume.
Detailed Explanation
The titration curve shows how the pH of the solution changes as we add strong acid to a weak base. Initially, we calculate the pH based on the weak base's equilibrium before adding any strong acid. The pH will rise gradually until we reach the equivalence point. Using the Henderson-Hasselbalch equation allows us to account for the buffer region, where both the weak base and its conjugate acid coexist. At the equivalence point, all weak base turns into its conjugate acid. This conjugate acid will interact with water, producing H plus ions, which makes the solution acidic. Beyond this point, any added acid will determine the final pH since it will dominate the solution's acidity.
Examples & Analogies
Imagine filling a glass with water (representing the weak base) before adding lemonade (the strong acid). Initially, the water has a certain taste (pH), and as you begin to add lemonade, the taste changes slightly, and the glass is still a mix until you pour in just the right amount of lemonade (equivalence point). After that point, the lemonade taste becomes overwhelming (excess strong acid), dominating the flavor of the drink.
Example: Titration of Ammonia with HCl
Chapter 3 of 3
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Chapter Content
Initial volume of NHβ solution = 25.0 mL at 0.100 M β moles NHβ = 0.00250 mol.
Initial pH:
- NHβ (Kb = 1.8 Γ 10β»β΅).
- x β sqrt(Kb Γ Cβ) = sqrt[(1.8 Γ 10β»β΅) Γ 0.100] = 1.34 Γ 10β»Β³ M = [OH minus].
- pOH = β logββ (1.34 Γ 10β»Β³) = 2.87 β pH = 14.00 β 2.87 = 11.13.
Half-Equivalence (12.5 mL HCl added):
- Moles HCl = 0.0125 L Γ 0.100 M = 0.00125 mol.
- Moles NHβ remaining = 0.00250 β 0.00125 = 0.00125 mol.
- Moles NHβ plus formed = 0.00125 mol.
- Ratio [BH plus] Γ· [B] = [NHβ plus] Γ· [NHβ] = 1.00.
- pOH = pKb = β logββ (1.8 Γ 10β»β΅) = 4.74 (Kb = 1.8 Γ 10β»β΅).
- pH = 14.00 β 4.74 = 9.26 at half-equivalence.
Equivalence Point (25.0 mL HCl added):
- Volume total = 25.0 + 25.0 = 50.0 mL.
- Moles NHβ plus = 0.00250 mol. [NHβ plus] = 0.00250 Γ· 0.0500 = 0.0500 M.
- NHβ plus is a weak acid with Ka = Kw Γ· Kb = (1.0 Γ 10β»ΒΉβ΄) Γ· (1.8 Γ 10β»β΅) = 5.56 Γ 10β»ΒΉβ°.
- Let x = [H plus] from hydrolysis:
NHβ plus β NHβ + H plus
- Then Ka = xΒ² Γ· (0.0500 β x) β xΒ² Γ· 0.0500 β x = sqrt(Ka Γ 0.0500) = sqrt[(5.56 Γ 10β»ΒΉβ°) Γ 0.0500] = 5.27 Γ 10β»βΆ M.
- pH = β logββ (5.27 Γ 10β»βΆ) = 5.28. So the equivalence point is acidic (around pH 5.3).
Detailed Explanation
In this chunk, we walk through a specific titration example where ammonia (NHβ) is titrated with hydrochloric acid (HCl). Initially, we calculate the pH based on the concentration of NHβ. As we add HCl, we reach the half-equivalence point where half of the ammonia has converted to ammonium ion (NHβ plus), resulting in a specific pH. Finally, at the equivalence point, all ammonia has reacted to form NHβ plus. We need to determine the pH based on the weak acid behavior of NHβ plus in water, leading to the solution being acidic.
Examples & Analogies
Consider a seesaw balancing act. Here, ammonia is one side of the seesaw trying to counterbalance the weight of the hydrochloric acid. When you add just enough acid to fully convert the ammonia to ammonium ion, the seesaw tips to the acidic side. If you slightly increase the acid amount beyond that equilibrium, the seesaw remains tilted, accentuating that acidic balance.
Key Concepts
-
Titration Process: The quantitative method of determining the concentration of an unknown acid or base by reacting it with a standard solution.
-
Equivalence Point: The point at which the number of moles of acid equals the number of moles of base in a titration.
-
Conjugate Acid Base Relationship: The connection between a base and the acid formed when it accepts a proton.
Examples & Applications
In the titration of ammonia (weak base) with hydrochloric acid (strong acid), the initial pH is calculated from ammonia's Kb. After reaching the equivalence point, [H+] from the hydrolysis of NH4+ determines pH.
When adding HCl to NH3 solution, the pH decreases gradually and reaches a specific value determined by the remaining base until all ammonia is consumed at equivalence.
Memory Aids
Interactive tools to help you remember key concepts
Rhymes
Mixing weak with strong, pH's not wrong; when titrant's in sight, equilibrium's tight.
Stories
Once there was a base named Ammonia who attended acid parties, where it tried to look for companies. One day it met HCl, fell into a solution, and became friends with its donating protons - they called it NH4+!
Memory Tools
Remember: BHA = Base reacts with a Hydrochloric acid, forming a conjugate Acid.
Acronyms
ICE
Initial
Change
Equilibrium - think of this when using an ICE table for calculations.
Flash Cards
Glossary
- Weak Base
A base that does not fully dissociate in solution and has a significant amount of undissociated form present.
- Strong Acid
An acid that fully dissociates in solution, releasing all of its protons (HβΊ) upon dissociation.
- Equivalence Point
The point during a titration where stoichiometrically equivalent amounts of acid and base have reacted.
- Conjugate Acid
The species formed when a base accepts a proton.
- HendersonHasselbalch Equation
An equation used to estimate the pH of buffer solutions, expressing the relationship between pH, pKa, and concentrations of acid and its conjugate base.
Reference links
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