Nanyang Junior College

Chemistry (9729)

Tutorial 8.1
Chemistry of Aqueous Solutions (Suggested Answers)

Prepared by Mr Kevin Low JC1/2022

Section A: Review Questions

Definition and pH calculation

1 (a) Define the following terms.

(i) pH
It is the negative logarithm to the base ten of the hydrogen ion concentration.
pH = − lg [H+] or pH = − lg [H3O+]

(ii) Ka
 H3O+ (aq) + A− (aq)
For a weak monoprotic acid, HA: HA (aq) + H2O (l) 

[H3O+ ][A - ]
Acid dissociation constant, Ka =
[HA]
The larger the value of Ka, the stronger the acid.

(iii) pKa
The pKa of an acid is the negative logarithm to the base ten of the acid dissociation constant, Ka.
The smaller the value of pKa, the stronger the acid.

(iv) Kb
 BH+ + OH‾
For a weak monoprotic base, B: B + H2O 

[BH ] [OH ]
Base dissociation constant, K b 
[B]
The larger the value of Kb, the stronger the base.

(v) pKb
The pKb of a base is the negative logarithm to the base ten of the base dissociation constant, Kb.
The smaller the value of pKb, the stronger the base.

 
 (b) Complete the following table by
(i) Determining formula of the conjugate base.
(ii) Calculating the Kb of the conjugate base.
(iii) Calculating the pH of 0.2 mol dm-3 ethanoic acid and its conjugate base respectively.

Acid Conjugate base

Formula CH3COOH CH3COO-

Dissociation
constant / Kb = 1.0x10-14/ 1.75 x 10-5
Ka = 1.75 x 10-5
mol dm-3
= 5.71 x 10-10
at 25 oC
(Ans: 5.71 x 10-10)

[H ] = Ka [CH3COOH] = 1.75 x 10-5 x 0.2

[OH ] = K b [CH3COONa] = 5.71 x 1010 (0.20)
= 1.8708 x 10-3 mol dm-3
pH of = 1.069 x 10-5 mol dm-3
pH = – log [H+]
0.2 mol dm-3
= – log ( 1.8708 x 10-3 ) pOH = 4.97
solution
= 2.73
pH = 9.03

(Ans: 2.73) (Ans: 9.03)

 
2 Calculate the pH of the following solutions at 25°C.
(a) 0.15 mol dm−3 HBr

HBr is a strong acid.

[H3O+] = [HBr]
pH = −lg (0.15) = 0.824

(b) 0.20 mol of NaOH dissolved in 500 cm3 of water

NaOH is a strong base

[OH−] = [NaOH]
0.2
pH = 14 − pOH = 14 − (−lg[OH−] )= 14 – (–lg 500 / 1000 ) = 13.6

(c) 0.125 g dm−3 of HF (Ka of HF = 6.8 × 10−4 mol dm−3)

HF is a weak acid.
0.125
(6.8  104 )( )
Ka  [HF ] 19.0  1 = 2.061 × 10−3
[H3O+] = =

pH = −lg (2.061 × 10−3) = 2.69

(d) 0.2 mol dm−3 C2H5NH2 (Kb of C2H5NH2 = 4.3 × 10−4 mol dm−3)

Kb  [C2H5NH2 ]
[OH−] = = 4.3  10 4  0.2 = 9.273 × 10−3

pH = 14 – pOH = 14 – (–lg 9.273 × 10−3) = 12.0

(e) 15.0 cm3 of 0.1 mol dm−3 HCl mixed with 35.0 cm3 of 0.2 mol dm−3 Ba(OH)2

2HCl + Ba(OH)2 → BaCl2 + 2H2O

BaCl2 is a neutral salt.
15.0
0.1( )
n(HCl) = 1000 = 1.500 × 10−3 ………… limiting reagent
35.0
0.2( )
n(Ba(OH)2) = 1000 = 7.000 × 10−3
Remaining n(Ba(OH)2) = 7.000 x 10−3 – ½(1.500 × 10−3) = 6.250 x 10−3
n(OH−) = 2(6.250 x 10−3) = 1.250 × 10−32
1.250  102
[OH−] = 50.0 / 1000 = 0.2500
pH = 14 – (– lg 0.2500) = 13.4

 
3 (a) When 1.00g of ethanoic acid, CH3COOH is dissolved in water and made up to 100 cm3, the
resulting pH is 2.55. Calculate the hydrogen ion concentration in this solution.
(Ans: 2.82 x 10-3 mol dm-3)

pH = 2.55

[H+] = 10-2.55 = 2.818 x 10-3 = 2.82 x 10-3 mol dm-3

(b) Calculate the concentration of ethanoic acid in this solution and hence, determine the Ka of the
acid. (Ans: 0.167 mol dm-3, 4.77 x 10-5 mol dm-3)

[CH3COOH] = (1.00 / 60.0) / 100/1000 = 0.167 mol dm-3

[H ][CH3COO ] [H ]2 Alternative Method

Ka  
[CH3COOH] [CH3COOH]
[H ]  K a  C
3 2
(2.818  10 )
  4.77 x 105 mol dm3 2.818  103  Ka  0.1666
0.1666

Buffers

4 Identify which of the following forms a buffer when mixed. If a buffer is formed, state if it is an acidic or
alkaline buffer.

No Mixture Buffer? Acidic or alkaline buffer?

(a) 0.5 mol HCl and 0.5 mol NaCl NO

(b) 0.8 mol NH4Cl and 0.5 mol NH3 YES, alkaline buffer

(c) 0.5 mol HCl and 0.8 mol NH3 YES, alkaline buffer

(d) 0.5 mol HCl and 0.8 mol CH3COOH NO

(e) 0.5 mol NaOH and 0.5 mol CH3COOH NO

(f) 0.5 mol NaOH and 0.8 mol CH3COOH YES, Acidic buffer

 
5 “Acidity regulators” are food additives that have a buffering action on the pH of foodstuffs.
Mixtures of citric acid and its sodium salt are often used for this purpose. Given the Ka of citric acid is
7.4 x 10-4 mol dm-3.

C5H7O4CO2H  H+ + C5H7O4CO2–

(a) The concentration of citric acid in lemon juice is 0.22 mol dm-3. Assuming that no other acid is
present, calculate the pH of lemon juice. (Ans: 1.89)

[H ] = Ka [citric acid] = 7.4 x 10-4 x 0.22

= 1.2759 x 10-2 mol dm-3

pH = – log [H+] = – log ( 1.2759 x 10-2 ) = 1.89

(b) Write equations to show how the citric acid/sodium citrate buffer system regulates the acidity on the
addition of (i) H+ ions and (ii) OH- ions.

(i) H+ + C5H7O4COO–  C5H7O4COOH

(ii) OH‾ + C5H7O4COOH  C5H7O4COO‾ + H2O

Note: If question says “With the aid of equations, explain…” You should provide a short explanation
together with the equations.

(c) Calculate the pH of a solution containing 0.10 mol dm-3 citric acid and 0.30 mol dm-3 sodium citrate.

(Ans: 3.61)

[salt]
pH = pKa + lg
[acid]

= -lg 7.4 x 10-4 + lg (0.30/0.10)

= 3.61

 
Titration Curves

6 Complete this table

“Acidic” “Alkaline”
Indicator pH range End–point colour
colour colour

Acidic titrant: Colourless

Phenolphthalein 8 – 10 Colourless Red
Alkaline titrant: Pink

Methyl orange 3–4 Red Yellow Orange

7 Suggest two reasons why is it not possible to titrate ethanoic acid with ammonia solution using ordinary
indicators.

Reason 1: The pH change at equivalence point for this titration is less than 2 pH units.

Reason 2: The indicators would not show a distinct colour change at equivalence point.

 
8 The graph of the approximate change in pH when 0.1 mol dm-3 aqueous ammonia is run slowly with
stirring into 30 cm3 of 0.1 mol dm-3 hydrochloric acid is given below. Given that pKb of aqueous ammonia
is 4.74.

pH
(iv) NH4Cl and NH3 

Buffer region 

x
(iii)  NH4Cl only 

(ii) HCl and NH4Cl 
(i)  
HCl only 

y Vol of NH3(aq) added / cm3

 State the species present in the reaction mixture at points (i) – (iv).

 Label the buffer region.

 Suggest a suitable indicator for this titration. Explain.

This is a weak base-strong acid titration. Methyl orange is a suitable indicator as its pH range (pH 3-
4) falls within the pH change at equivalence point (pH 3-7).

 Determine the values of x and y. (Ans: x=5.28, y=30)

y = 30.00 cm3 (since conc of HCl & NH3 are equal & they are monoprotic i.e. react in a 1:1 ratio)

n(NH4Cl) present = 30.00 x 0.1/1000 = 0.003 mol

0.003
[NH4Cl] = = 0.05000 mol dm 3
30  30
1000

NH4+ + H2O  NH3 + H3O+

pKa (NH4Cl) = 14  4.74 = 9.26, Ka = 5.495 x 1010 mol dm3

[H+] = √(5.495 x 1010 x 0.05) = 5.24 x 106 mol dm3

pH = 5.28 and x = 5.28

 
  Find the pH of the reaction mixture at (i). (Ans: pH = 1)

pH =  lg (0.1) = 1

 Find the pH of the reaction mixture when 10.00 cm3 of NH3 (aq) is added. (Ans: 1.30)

n(NH3) added = 0.1 x 10.00/1000 = 0.00100 mol = n(HCl) reacted

n(HCl) left = 0.1 x 30/1000  0.001 = 0.002 mol

0.002
[HCl] = =0.0500 mol dm 3
30+10
1000

pH = lg (0.05) = 1.30 (ignore H+ due to NH4Cl since HCl is the stronger acid)

 Find the pH of the reaction mixture when 50.00 cm3 of NH3 (aq) is added. (Ans: 9.08)

Buffer solution is formed.

n(NH4Cl) formed = 0.1 x 30/1000 = 0.003 mol

0.003
[NH4Cl] = = 0.0375 mol dm 3
50 + 30
1000

Total n(NH3) = 0.1 x 50/1000 = 0.005 mol

n(NH3) left = 0.005 – 0.003 = 0.002 mol

0.002
[NH3] = = 0.025 mol dm 3
50 + 30
1000

[NH4+ ]
pOH = pKb + lg = 4.74 + lg(0.0375/0.025) = 4.92
[NH3 ]

pH = 14 – 4.92 = 9.08