Introduction to Acid-Base Reactions

Acid-Base Reactions

Water (H2O) is made of H+ and OH ions.
Remark:
H+ ions are H atoms that lost ONE electron leaving behind just a proton.
This explains why H+ ions are often called "protons".

Acids

Substances that ionize in water to form Hydrogen ions (H+), so that the total [H+] concentration in water increases.

Examples: HCl, HNO3, H2SO4

Bases

Substances that ionize in water to form hydroxide ions (OH), so that the total [OH] concentration in water increases.
Bases also accept (react with) H+ ions.

Examples: NaOH, KOH, Ca(OH)2

Remark:
Some bases do not contain (OH), but can still accept (H+) ions. They are also considered bases such as NH3

H2O + NH3 → NH4+ + OH
Acids and Bases are grouped as follows:
Acid and Bases

Strong Acids

HCl, HBr, HClO3, HI, HF is a weak acid, HNO3, H2SO4
Remark:
Because of this short list, most acids are weak.

Strong Bases

LiOH, NaOH, KOH, RbOH, CsOH, CaOH, SrOH2, BaOH2
Remark:
These are all soluble in water. NH3 is a weak base.

To identify an electrolyte as a strong, weak or non-electrolyte? We follow the following:
Acid and Bases-2


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Date of last modification: 2024