Analysing pH Data (Edexcel International A Level Chemistry)

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Analysing pH Data

Strong and weak acids

  • The relative strengths of different acids can be determined by measuring the pH of equimolar aqueous solutions of the acids, at the same temperature
  • The higher the value of the pH, the weaker the acid

pH of 0.100 mol dm-3 Aqueous Solutions of Various Acids at 298K

analysing-ph-data-table-1

Strong and weak bases

pH of 0.100 mol dm-3 Aqueous Solutions of Various Bases at 298K

analysing-ph-data-table-2

  • The higher the value of the pH, the stronger the base

Salts

pH of 0.100 mol dm-3 Aqueous Solutions of Various Salts at 298K

analysing-ph-data-table-3

  • NaCl and KNO3 both have pH's of 7.00 as they are made from a strong acid and a strong base
  • CH3COONa is alkaline as it is made of a weak acid (CH3COOH) and a strong base (NaOH)
  • NH4Cl is acidic as it is made of a strong acid (HCl) and a weak base (NH3)
  • CH3COONH4 is neutral as it is made from a weak acid (CH3COOH) and a weak base (NH3) which both have similar relative strengths

Effect of dilution on the pH of aqueous solutions of acids

Strong acids

  • As concentration decreases by a factor of 10 the pH decreases by one unit

pH of Aqueous Solutions of Hydrochloric Acid at Different Concentrations at 298K

analysing-ph-data-table-4

  • Following this logic we would expect a concentration of 1.00 x 10-8 mol dm-3 to have a pH of 8
  • This makes no sense as it would mean our acidic solution is alkaline
  • However when we have solutions that are this dilute we can no longer ignore the contribution of hydrogen ions from the dissociation of water
  • The hydrochloric acid with a concentration of 1.00 x 10-8 mol dm-3 would have a pH close to 7 as the contribution of hydrogen ions from the water is greater than that from the acid

Weak acids

  • As concentration increases by a factor of 10 the pH increases by a factor of around 0.5

pH of Aqueous Solutions of Ethanoic Acid at Different Concentrations at 298K

analysing-ph-data-table-5

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Sonny

Author: Sonny

Expertise: Chemistry

Sonny graduated from Imperial College London with a first-class degree in Biomedical Engineering. Turning from engineering to education, he has now been a science tutor working in the UK for several years. Sonny enjoys sharing his passion for science and producing engaging educational materials that help students reach their goals.