HKDSE CHEMISTRY — A Modern View (Second Edition)

Part IV Acids and bases

Chemistry: Chapter 17 Strength of acids and alkalis

Combined Science (Chemistry Part): Chapter 17 Strength of acids and alkalis

Structured questions

Section 17.1
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There are three bottles of acid labelled with 1.0 M HCl, 2.0 M HNO 3 and 1.0 M
CH3COOH respectively. The percentage of ionization for each acid is shown below:

Acid Percentage of ionization

HCl 100%
HNO3 100%
CH3COOH 4%

(a) Calculate the pH values for each bottle of acid. Hence, arrange the pH values of
the acids in ascending order. (4 marks)

(b) Arrange the strength of the three bottles of acid in descending order. Explain
your answer. (2 marks)

(c) 1.0 M NaOH is added to 50 cm 3 of acid from each bottle. Arrange the volume of
1.0 M NaOH required for complete neutralization of each acid in descending
order. Explain briefly. (2 marks)

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 HKDSE CHEMISTRY — A Modern View (Second Edition)
Part IV Acids and bases

(a) pH value of 1.0 M HCl = log [1.0 × 100%] = 0 1

pH value of 2.0 M HNO3 = log [2.0 × 100%] = 0.30 1
pH value of 1.0 M CH3COOH = log [1.0 × 4%] = 1.40
∴ 2.0 M HNO3 < 1.0 M HCl < 1.0 M CH3COOH
1
1
(b) 2.0 M HNO3 = 1.0 M HCl > 1.0 M CH3COOH 1
The strength of an acid depends on its extent of ionization. A stronger
acid has a higher percentage of ionization. 1
(c) 2.0 M HNO3 > 1.0 M HCl = 1.0 M CH3COOH 1
The volume of NaOH(aq) required depends on the amount of H+(aq) that
can be provided by the acid. Thus, the higher the concentration of the
monobasic acid, the more NaOH(aq) is required. 1
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Sodium hydroxide and ammonia are two common alkalis. Sodium hydroxide is a
white solid. It dissociates completely in water to form sodium ions and hydroxide
ions. On the other hand, ammonia is a colourless gas. It is very soluble in water.

(a) Write an equation for the ionization of ammonia in water. (1 mark)

(b) Ammonia solution has a strong pungent smell. What does this tell you about the
particles present in the solution? (1 mark)

(c) When sodium hydroxide solution and ammonia solution are added to magnesium
chloride solution respectively, a white precipitate forms in both cases.
(i) Name the ion in the alkalis that is responsible for the formation of the
precipitate. (1 mark)

(ii) Write an ionic equation for the formation of the white precipitate. (1 mark)

(iii) State and explain what would be observed when excess sodium hydroxide
solution is added to the white precipitate. (2 marks)

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 HKDSE CHEMISTRY — A Modern View (Second Edition)
Part IV Acids and bases

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(a) NH3(aq) + H2O(l) NH4+(aq) + OH(aq) 1
(b) The solution contains a large amount of ammonia molecules. 1
(c) (i) Hydroxide ion 1
(ii) Mg2+(aq) + 2OH(aq)  Mg(OH)2(s) 1
(iii) There is no observable change 1
as the white precipitate does not dissolve in excess sodium
hydroxide solution. 1
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Sections 17.217.3
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Hydrochloric acid and ethanoic acid are monobasic acids with different strengths.

(a) What is the meaning of the term ‘monobasic acid’? (1 mark)

(b) With the help of chemical equations, explain why hydrochloric acid is a strong
acid but ethanoic acid is a weak acid. (4 marks)

(c) Suggest a method to show that hydrochloric acid is a stronger acid than ethanoic
acid. (2 marks)

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(a) It is an acid that gives one hydrogen ion per molecule when it ionizes in
water. 1
(b) HCl(aq) is a strong acid because it completely ionizes in water. 1

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 HKDSE CHEMISTRY — A Modern View (Second Edition)
Part IV Acids and bases

HCl(g) + water  H+(aq) + Cl(aq) 1

CH3COOH(aq) is a weak acid because it only ionizes slightly in water. 1
CH3COOH(l) + water CH3COO(aq) + H+(aq) 1
(c) Any ONE:
- Measure the electrical conductivities of the two acids with equal
concentrations. 1
Hydrochloric acid has a higher electrical conductivity. 1
- Measure the pH values of the two acids with equal concentrations. (1)
Hydrochloric acid has a higher pH value. (1)
- Add a piece of zinc to the two acids with equal concentrations. (1)
Hydrochloric acid gives out gas bubbles more rapidly. (1)
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A student was given two bottles of acids. One was a concentrated strong acid H2X and
another one was a dilute weak acid H2Y. To distinguish between the two acids, the
student added the same mass and size of magnesium ribbon to the two acids of the
same volume. The time required for complete reactions was recorded.

(a) (i) What is the meaning of the term ‘weak acid’? (1 mark)

(ii) Write an equation for the ionization of H2Y. (1 mark)

(b) Explain whether the acids used should be in excess. (1 mark)

(c) Draw a labelled diagram to show how the student collected the gas produced in
the experiment. (2 marks)

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 HKDSE CHEMISTRY — A Modern View (Second Edition)
Part IV Acids and bases

(d) State and explain which acid would have a higher rate of reaction. (2 marks)

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(a) (i) A weak acid is an acid which ionizes only slightly in water. 1
(ii) H2Y(aq) 2H+(aq) + Y2(aq) 1
(b) The acids used should be in excess to ensure that the volumes of
hydrogen gas produced are the same. 1
(c)
gas syringe

gas produced

magnesium ribbon acid

Correct diagram 1
Correct labels 1
(d) H2X would have a higher rate of reaction 1
as it has a higher concentration of hydrogen ions. 1
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