1 Acids

2 Classification of Acids
3 Methods of preparations of Acids
4 General properties of Acids
5 Uses of Acids
6 Bases
7 Classifications of Bases / Alkalis
8 General Methods of Prepration of Bases
9 General properties of Alkalis
10 Uses of Common Alkalis
11 Arrhenius Theory
12 Bronsted - Lowry Theory
CHAPTER 8 13 Levelling effect

ACIDS, BASES
14 Lewis Theory
15 Factos effecting the strength of acids and
bases

& SALTS
16 Ostwald Diulution law
17 Acid and Base Dissociation constant and
strength of [H+]
18 Ionic Product of water
19 Concept of pH
20 Calculation of pH of mixture of solutions
21 Calculation of pH of weak acid
22 Calculation of pH of weak base
23 Classification of salts based on their
solubilities
24 Solubility Product
25 Hydrolysis of salts
26 Indicators
27 Theory of Indicators
28 Buffer Solutions
 252 10th Class Chemistry

1. Acids

An acid is a compound which on dissolving in water gives hydronium ion [H3O]+ as the only positively
charged ion.

HCl  H2O ‡ˆ ˆˆ ˆ† +
ˆˆ H3O + Cl

 2
H2SO4  2H2O ‡ˆ ˆˆ ˆ†
ˆˆ 2H3O  SO4

Note: In actual practice, the acids dissolve in water to form H + ion or a proton. As
H+ ion or proton cannot exist independently in an aqueous solution, it binds itself with water molecule to
form hydronium ion.
H O
HCl ‡ˆ ˆˆ ˆˆ2 ˆˆ †ˆˆˆ H+ + Cl 

H2O  H ‡ˆ ˆˆ ˆ† 
ˆˆ H3 O (Hydronium ion)

2. Classification of Acids

I. On the basis of their sources.

(a) Inorganic acids: The acids derived from mineral (inorganic compounds) are called inorganic
acids or mineral acids.
Examples: H2SO4, HNO3 , HCl, etc.
(b) Organic acids: The acids derived from the plants are called organic acids.

Organic acid Natural sources Organic acid Natural sources

1. Acetic acid Vinegar 6. Malic acid Apples

2. Citric acid Citrus fruits 7. Oleic acid Olive oil

3. Butyric acid Rancid butter 8. Stearic acid Fats

4. Formic acid Sting of bees and ants 9 Tartaric acid Grapes, Tamarind

5. Lactic acid Sour milk 10.Uric acid Urine

II. On the basis of elements present in them:

1. Hydracids (Binary acids): Hydracids contain hydrogen and a non-metallic element,
other than oxygen.
Examples: Hydrofluoric acid : HF
Acids & Bases 253
Hydrochloric acid : HCl
Hydrobromic acid : HBr
Hydroiodic acid : HI
Hydrogen sulphide : H2S
(Hydrosulphuric acid)
ii. Oxyacids (Ternary acids): Oxyacids contain oxygen, along with hydrogen and another
non-metallic element.
Examples:
H2SO4 (Sulphuric acid), HNO3 (Nitric acid), H3PO4 (Phosphoric acid),
H2SO3 (Sulphurous acid).
HClO (Hypochlorous acid), HClO2 (Chlorous acid)
HClO3 (Chloric acid), HClO4 (Perchloric acid)
H2CO3 (Carbonic acid), CH3COOH (Acetic acid)
III. On the basis of basicity of an acid:
Basicity: The number of hydronium ions [H+(aq)] which can be liberated by one molecule of an acid
on complete ionisation is called its basicity. On the basis of basicity, the acids can be classified as under:
(a) Monobasic acids:
Definition: When one molecule of an acid on complete ionisation produces one hydronium ion [H+(aq)],
then the acid is said to be monobasic acid.
Characteristics of a Monobasic acid:
(1) A monobasic acid ionises in one step in aqueous solution.
(2) A monobasic acid forms only single salt or normal salt

HNO3  H2O ‡ˆ ˆˆ ˆ† 
ˆˆ H3O  NO3
1
Nitrate 

ˆˆ H2O  NaNO3 Sodium nitrate 

HNO3  NaOH ‡ˆ ˆˆ ˆ†

Examples: HCl, HF, HBr, CH3COOH, HCOOH, HNO3

(b) Dibasic acids:
Definition: When one molecule of an acid on complete ionisation produces two hydronium ions
[2H+(aq)], then the acid is said to be Dibasic acid.
Characteristics of a dibasic acid:
(1) A dibasic acid ionises in two steps in aqueous solution.

H2SO4  H2O ‡ˆ ˆˆ ˆ† 
ˆˆ H3O  HSO4
1
Bisulphate
254 10th Class Chemistry
HSO4
1
 H2O ‡ˆ ˆˆ ˆ† 
ˆˆ H3O  SO4
2
Sulphate
(2) A dibasic acid forms two series of salts.
(i) An acid salt with one replaceable H+ ion.

H2SO4  NaOH  H2O  NaHSO4 Sodium hydrogen sulphate 

(ii) A normal salt with no replaceable H+ ion.

H2SO4  2NaOH  2H2O  Na 2SO4 Sodium sulphate  a normal salt 

Examples: H2SO4, H2SO3, H2CO3, H2S, H3PO3, (COOH)2 (oxalic acid), etc,.
(c) Tribasic acids:
Definition: When one molecule of an acid on complete ionisation produces three hydronium ions
[3H+(aq)], then the acid is said to be Tribasic acid.
Characteristics of a tribasic acid:
(1) A tribasic acid ionises in three steps in aqueous solution.

H3PO4  H2O ‡ˆ ˆˆ ˆ† 
ˆˆ H3O  H2PO4
1
Dihydrogen phosphate

H2PO4
1
 H2O ‡ˆ ˆˆ ˆ† 
ˆˆ H3O  HPO4
2
Monohydrogen phosphate 

HPO4
2
 H2O  H3O  PO4
3
Phoshate
(2) A tribasic acid forms three series of salts.
(i) An acid salt with two replaceable H+ ions.

H3 PO4  NaOH  H2O  NaH2PO4 sodium dihydrogen phosphate  .

(ii) An acid salt with one replaceable H+ ions.

H3PO4  2NaOH  2H2O  Na 2HPO4 sodium hydrogen phosphate  .

(iii) A normal salt with no replaceable hydrogen ion

H3PO4  3NaOH  3H2O  Na 3PO4 sodium phosphate  .

Examples: H3PO4, H3PO5

Acids & Bases 255
IV. On the basis of state:

Phosphoric acid H3 PO4

1. Solids
Boric acid H3 BO 3

Hydrochloric acid HCl

2. Liquids Sulphuric acid H2 SO4

Nitric acid HNO 3

V. On the basis of strength of acid:

Acids undergo ionisation in aqueous solution. The degree of ionisation is denoted by the  .
Mathematically,

Number of ionised molecules

Degree of ionisation of an acid (  ) = Number of total acid molecules

VI. On the basis of ionisation of acid:

Strong acids: The acids that undergo almost complete ionisation in an aqueous solution, thereby producing
high concentration of H+ (aq) ions are called strong acids.
Note: Any acid having a degree of ionisation of 30% or above is a strong acid.
Examples: (i) Nitric acid(ii) Hydrochloric acid (iii) Sulphuric acid.
Weak acids: The acids that undergo partial ionisation in an aqueous solution, such that their degree of
ionisation does not exceed 30% are called weak acids.
Examples:
(i) Carbonic acid (ii) Sulphurous acid (iii) Hydrogen sulphide
(iv) Acetic acid (v) Formic acid (vi) Oxalic acid
(vii) Hydrocyanic acid
VII On the basis of concentration of acid:
The measure of amount of water present in a given sample of acid is called concentration.
Based on the concentration, the acids are classified as follows:
Concentrated acid: A sample of an acid which contains very little or no amount of water is called
concentrated acid.
Dilute acid: A sample of an acid which contains far more amount of water than its own weight is called
dilute acid.
 256 10th Class Chemistry
Note: It must be kept in mind that the concentration of an acid merely tells the measure of water
in an acid. It should not confused with strength of an acid which is determined by the measure of
the concentration of H+ (aq) ions in the aqueous solution.
Examples:
(1) A strong acid will remain strong acid, even if it is dilute, because it produces high
concentration of H+ (aq) ions.
(2) A weak acid will remain weak acid, even, when concentrated, because it does not produce
high concentration of H+ (aq) ions.
VIII On the basis of Volatility:

Hydrochloric acid HCl

Nitric acid HNO3

1. Volatile
Carbonic acid H 2 CO3

Sulphurous acid H 2 SO 3

Sulphuric acid H 2 SO 4
2. Liquids
Phosphoric acid H 3 PO 4

F ormative Worksheet
1. Assertion(A): Large number of fruits are sour to taste due to the presence of organic acids.
Reason(R) : Organic acids are derived from plants so, large number of fruits are sour to taste.
a) Both Assertion and reason are correct and reason is the correct explanation of assertion.
b) Both assertion and reason are correct and reason is not the correct explanation of assertion.
c) Assertion is correct, reason is incorrect.
d) Assertion is incorrect, reason is correct.
2. Match the following:
1) Acetic acid p) Rancid Butter
2) Butyric acid q) Vinegar
3) Citric acid r) Grapes and Tamarind
4) Lactic acid s) Citrus fruits
5) Malic acid t) Sour milk
6) Tartaric acid u) Apples
Acids & Bases 257
1 2 3 4 5 6
a) q p s t u r
b) q s p u t r
c) s q u p t r
d) p q r s t u
3. Statement A : In an acid, acidic hydrogen is bonded to an atom less electronegative than
itself.
Statement B : An acid can form only normal salt.
a) Statement ‘A’ is true but ‘B’ is false. b) Statement ‘A’ is false but ‘B’ is true.
c) Both statements ‘A’ and ‘B’ are true. d) Both statements ‘A’ and ‘B’ are false.
4. Identify the products A, B formed when the given acids undergo ionisation in the first step.
(i) H2SO4 + NaOH  A + H2O
(ii) H3PO4 + NaOH  B + H2O
(A) (B)
a) Na2SO4 Na2HSO4
b) NaHSO4 NaH2PO4
c) Na2SO4 NaH2PO4
d) NaHSO4 Na2HPO4
5. Find out the basicity of the following acids?
i) HPO3 ii) H3PO2 iii) H3PO3 iv) H3PO4
(i) (ii) (iii) (iv)
a) Monobasic Monobasic Dibasic Tribasic
b) Monobasic Dibasic Monobasic Tribasic
c) Monobasic Dibasic Tribasic Monobasic
d) Monobasic Tribasic Dibasic Tribasic
6. Assertion(A): Hydracids contain hydrogen as their constituent element and oxyacids contain
only oxygen as their constituent element irrespective of hydrogen.
Reason(R) : The ancient idea of an acid is that it is a substance which has hydrogen as their
constituent element in the form of H+.
a) Both Assertion and reason are correct and reason is the correct explanation of assertion.
b) Both assertion and reason are correct and reason is not the correct explanation of assertion.
c) Assertion is correct, reason is incorrect.
d) Assertion is incorrect, reason is correct.
 258 10th Class Chemistry
7. 1) Organic acids are compounds with _____ as one of their constituents and contain _______
in aqueous solutions.
2) Mineral acids except H2CO3 do not contain _____ and has ______ only in aqueous solution
1 2
a) Carbon, ions Hydrogen, ions
b) Hydrogen, ions and molecules Carbon, ions and molecules
c) Carbon, ions and molecules Carbon, ions
d) Hydrogen, ions Hydrogen, ions and molecules

C onceptive Worksheet
1. An acid is a compound which, when dissolved in water, gives _____ ions as the only _____ ions.
(i) (ii)
a) Hydronium positive
b) Hydroxide negative
c) Hydronium negative
d) Hydroxide positive
2. Assertion(A): The basicity of HCl is 1, H2SO4 is 2 and H3PO4 is 3.
Reason(R) : Basicity of an acid is the number of hydrogen atoms present in one molecule
of an acid.
a) Both assertion and reason are correct and reason is the correct explanation of assertion.
b) Both assertion and reason are correct and reason is not the correct explanation of assertion.
c) Assertion is correct, reason is incorrect.
d) Assertion is incorrect, reason is correct.
3. Match the following:
1) Monobasic acid p) 2 acid salts, 1 normal salt
2) Dibasic acid q) Normal salt only
3) Tribasic acid r) 1 acid salt, 1 normal salt
s) 3 acid salts, 2 normal salts
1 2 3
a) s r q
b) q p r
c) q r p
d) p s q
Acids & Bases 259
4. Assertion(A): The basicity of acetic acid is four as it has four hydrogen atoms.
Reason(R) : Acetic acid (CH3COOH) has four, hydrogen atoms in its molecule. However,
only one is ionisable (or) replaceable by a metal.
a) Both Assertion and reason are correct and reason is the correct explanation of assertion.
b) Both assertion and reason are correct and reason is not the correct explanation of assertion.
c) Assertion is correct, reason is incorrect.
d) Assertion is incorrect, reason is correct.
5. Classify the given acids into:
(i) Binary acids (ii) Ternary acids
1) HF 2) H2SO4 3) H3PO4 4) CH3COOH 5) H2S
Binary acids Ternary acids
a) 1, 3, 5 2, 4
b) 1, 2, 3 4, 5
c) 1, 5 2, 3, 4
d) 1, 2 3, 4, 5
6. Differentiate the following acids into solids and liquids.
1) Phosphoric acid (H3PO4) 2) Hydrochloric acid (HCl)
3) Boric acid (H3BO3) 4) Sulphuric acid (H2SO4)
Solids Liquids
a) 2, 3 1, 4
b) 1, 2 3, 4
c) 1, 4 2, 3
d) 1, 3 2, 4
7. Statement A : A strong acid will remain strong even if it is dilute, because it produces high concentration
of H+ (aq) ions.
Statement B : The strength of the acid is determined by the measure of concentration of H+ (aq)
ion in the aqueous solution.
a) Statement ‘A’ is true but ‘B’ is false b) Statement ‘A’ is false but ‘B’ is true
c) Both statements ‘A’ and ‘B’ are true d) Both statements ‘A’ and ‘B’ are false
260 10th Class Chemistry

3. Methods for the preparation of acids

(1) By direct synthesis of hydrogen with non-metals:

Hydrogen + Non metal 
 Acid

H2 + Cl2 
sunlight 2HCl

H2 + Br2 
Electric discharge
 2HBr

H2 + I2 (vap)  
Electric discharge
 2HI

H2 + S (boiling) 
 H2S
Note: The acids containing hydrogen and one non-metal are called Hydracids.
(2) By dissolving non-metallic oxides in water
Non-metallic oxide + Water  Acid

CO 2 + H2 O  H2CO3

SO 2 + H2 O  H2SO3

SO 3 + H2 O  H2SO4

P 2O 5 + 3 H2O  2H3PO4

2NO 2 + H2 O  HNO2 + HNO3

Note: The acids containing hydrogen, one non-metal and oxygen are called
oxyacids.
(3) By heating salts of more volatile acid with a less volatile acid:
Salt of more volatile acid + Less volatile acid 
 Salt + More volatile acid
2NaNO3 + H2SO4 (conc) 

 Na2SO4 + 2HNO3

2NaCl + H2SO4 (conc) 


 Na2SO4 + 2HCl
(4) By oxidation of non-metals with oxyacids:

(i) S  6 HNO3  H2SO4  2H2O  6NO2


(ii) P  5HNO3  H3PO4  2H2O  5NO2


(iii) 2P  5H2SO4  2H3PO4  2H2O  5SO2
Acids & Bases 261

4. General properties of acids

(1) Taste: Acids have sharp sour taste.

(2) Effect of indicators: The substances which are used to identify acids or alkalis due to
the change in their colour are called indicators.
(i) Acids turn blue litmus paper red.
(ii) Acids turn methyl orange solution pink.
(iii) Acids turn alkaline pink phenolphthalein in aqueous solution colourless.
(3) Effect on skin: Strong mineral acids have corrosive action on skin and cause painful
burns.
(i) Conc. sulphuric acid stains the skin black.
(ii) Conc. nitric acid stains the skin yellow.
(iii) Conc. hydrochloric acid stains the skin to amber colour.
Note: All mineral acids are not corrosive. For example, carbonic acid is used in making
soft drinks.
(4) Effect of electric current: All aqueous solutions of mineral acids are good conductors
of electricity. They decompose with the liberation of hydrogen at cathode.
(5) Action with metallic oxides: All metal oxides react with dilute mineral acids to form
their respective metallic salts and water only.

Metallic oxide + Mineral acid (dil)

  Metallic salt + H 2O
Na2O + 2HNO3 (dil) 
 2NaNO3 + H2 O
CuO + H2SO4 (dil) 
 CuSO4 + H 2O

(6) Action with metallic hydroxides: All metal hydroxides react with dilute mineral acids
to form their respective salts and water only.
Metal hydroxide + Mineral acid (dil)  Metal salt
 + Water

NaOH + HCl (dil)  NaCl

 + H2 O

Cu(OH)2 + H2SO4 (dil)  CuSO4

 + 2H2O
(7) Action with metallic carbonates or metal hydrogen carbonates: All metallic
carbonates or metal hydrogen carbonates react with dilute mineral acids to form their
respective salts, water and carbon dioxide.
262 10th Class Chemistry

Metal carbonate/+ Acid (dil)  Metal salt + Water +

 CO2 (g)
Metal hydrogen
carbonate
K2CO 3 + 2HCl (dil)  2KCl
 + H 2O + CO 2

KHCO3 + HNO3(dil)  KNO 3

 + H 2O + CO 2

CuCO3 + H2SO4(dil)  CuSO4

 + H 2O + CO 2
(8) Action with metallic sulphites / metal hydrogen sulphites: All metallic sulphites or
metal hydrogen sulphites, react with dilute mineral acids to form their respective salts,
water and sulphur dioxide gas.
Metal sulphite/ + Acid (dil)  Metal salt
 + Water + SO2 (g) Metal
hydrogen
sulphite
K2SO 3 + 2HCl (dil)  2KCl
 + H 2O + SO 2

KHSO3 + HCl (dil)  KCl

 + H 2O + SO 2

CuSO3 + H2SO4(dil)  CuSO4

 + H 2O + SO 2
(9) Action with metallic sulphides / metal hydrogen sulphides: All metallic sulphides
or metal hydrogen sulphides react with dilute mineral acids to form their respective
salts and hydrogen sulphide.
Metal sulphide/+ Acid (dil)  Metal salt
 + Hydrogen sulphide(g)
Metal hydrogen
sulphide
K2S + 2HCl (dil)  2KCl
 + H2S

KHS + HCl (dil)  KCl

 + H2S

CuS + H2SO4(dil)  CuSO4

 + H2S
(10) Action with active metals: Mineral acids (dil) react with active metals to form their
respective salts and hydrogen gas.
Metal + Acid (dil) 
 Metal salt + Hydrogen (g)

2Al + 6HCl (dil) 

 2AlCl3 + 3H2

Fe + H2SO4 (dil) 
 FeSO4 + H2
Acids & Bases 263

5. Uses

Acids Use

1. Acetic acid Cooking

2. Citric acid Food preservation; soft drinks
3. Tartaric acid Baking powder
4. Oxalic acid Inkstain remover
5. Carbonic acid Soft drinks
6. Boric acid Washing eyes

F ormative Worksheet
8 (i) 2NaNO3 + H2SO4  Na2SO4 +A

(ii) P + 5 HNO3  B + H2O + 5NO 2

(iii) S + 6 HNO3  C + 2H2O + 6NO 2

(A) (B) (C)
a) HNO3 H3PO4 H2SO4
b) HNO3 H3PO3 H2SO3
c) H2S H2PO2 H2PO4
d) HNO2 H3PO2 H2SO3
9. A + Cl2  B

B + NaOH  C + H2O

C + H2SO4  D + B.
Identify A, B, C, D
A B C D
a) Na NaCl HCl Na2SO 3
b) H2 HCl NaCl Na2SO 4
c) H2 NaCl Na Na2SO 3
d) Na HCl NaCl Na2SO 4
 264 10th Class Chemistry
10. Given below are some strong mineral acids which have corrosive action on the skin and cause painful
burns. Identify the colour change caused to the skin by these acids.
Conc. H2SO4 Conc. HNO3 Conc. HCl
a) Black colour Yellow colour Amber colour
b) Yellow colour Black colour Amber colour
c) Amber colour Black colour Yellow colour
d) Yellow colour Amber colour Black colour
11. Match the following:
A) Acetic acid k) Washing eyes
C) Boric acid l) Cooking
I) Citric acid m) Baking powder
D) Oxalic acid n) Ink stain remover
S) Tartaric acid o) Food preservation
A C I D S
a) l k n o m
b) k l m n o
c) n l o m k
d) l k o n m
12. Match following:
(i) (ii)
1) P2O5 + 3H2O p) Na2SO4
2) CuSO3 + H2SO4 q) H2 (g)
3) KHCO3 + HNO3 r) H3PO4
4) 2 Al + 6 HCl s) SO2 (g)
5) NaNO3 + H2SO4 t) CO2 (g)
u) Al2(SO4)3
1 2 3 4 5
a) r s t q p
b) r t s q p
c) s r t q p
d) p r s t q
Acids & Bases 265

C onceptive Worksheet
8. Match the following:
Indicator Colour change of acid
1) Blue litmus paper p) Turns to pink
2) Methyl orange solution q) Turns to red
3) Phenolphthalein r) Turns to yellow
s) Remains colourless
1 2 3
a) q p s
b) p r s
c) q s r
d) s r p
9. Assertion(A): Carbonic acid is used in making soft drinks.
Reason(R) : All mineral acids are corrosive.
a) Both assertion and reason are correct and reason is the correct explanation of assertion.
b) Both assertion and reason are correct and reason is not the correct explanation of assertion.
c) Assertion is correct, reason is incorrect.
d) Assertion is incorrect, reason is correct.
10. On electrolysis all aqueous mineral acids decompose with the liberation of ___ at cathode.
a) O2 b) H2 c) O2 and H2 d) None
11. Given are some statements about acids. Which of them are correct?
(I) Acids are sour to taste.
(II) Acids turn red litmus to blue.
(III) Acids are good conductors electricity.
(IV) Acid react with base to form salt and water.
a) I, II, III are all correct b) I, II, IV are all correct
c) II, III and IV are correct d) I, III, IV are all correct
12. Assertion(A): Lime juice has a sour taste, while lime water is slightly bitter.
Reason (R) : The bitter taste of lime water is due to dilution.
a) Both assertion and reason are correct and reason is the correct explanation of assertion.
b) Both assertion and reason are correct and reason is not the correct explanation of assertion.
c) Assertion is correct, reason is incorrect.
d) Assertion is incorrect, reason is correct.
 266 10th Class Chemistry

6. Bases

Base: A compound which reacts with hydronium ions [H+ (aq)] of an acid to form salt and water as
only products is called a base. (or)
A base is a compound which accepts protons [H+ (aq)] to form salt and water as only products.
Examples: 1. All metallic oxides (simple oxides) are bases.
2. All metallic hydroxides (also ammonium hydroxide) are bases.
Alkali: A base which is soluble in water is called alkali.
Modern concept of an Alkali : A compound which on dissolving in water furnishes OH- ions as only
negative ions is called an alkali.
Point to Remember : All alkalis are bases, but all bases are not alkalis.
For example, potassium hydroxide [KOH] is a base. However, as it dissolves in water to furnish OH–
ions, hence it is an alkali. On the other hand, zinc hydroxide is a base. However, it does not dissolve in
water and hence, is not an alkali.
Examples of alkalis:

(i) Sodium oxide Na 2O  H2O ‡ˆ ˆˆ ˆ† 

ˆˆ 2Na  2OH


(ii) Potassium oxide K 2O  H2O ‡ˆ ˆˆ ˆ† 

ˆˆ 2K  2OH


(iii) Calcium oxide CaO  H2O ‡ˆ ˆˆ ˆ† 2

ˆˆ Ca  2OH


(iv) Sodium hydroxide NaOH ‡ˆ ˆˆ ˆ† 

ˆˆ Na  OH


(v) Potassium hydroxide KOH ‡ˆ ˆˆ ˆ† 

ˆˆ K  OH


(vi) Calcium hydroxide Ca(OH)2 ‡ˆ ˆˆ ˆ† 2

ˆˆ Ca  2OH


7. Classification of Bases/Alkalis
I On the basis of strength:
Alkalis (soluble bases) undergo dissociation in an aqueous solution.
The degree dissociation of an alkali in an aqueous solution is called strength of an alkali.
Mathematically,

Number of dissociated alkali molecules

Degree of dissociation of a alkali    
Number of total alkali molecules
Acids & Bases 267
II On the basis of degree of dissociation
On the basis of degree of dissociationthe bases are classified as follows:
Strong bases : The bases that undergo almost complete dissociation in an aqueous solution, to produce
high concentration of hydroxyl ions (OH–) are called strong alkalis.
Examples:
 
(i) Potassium hydroxide KOH ‡ˆ ˆˆ ˆ†
ˆˆ K  OH

 
(ii) Sodium hydroxide NaOH ‡ˆ ˆˆ ˆ†
ˆˆ Na  OH

Weak bases: The alkalis that undergo partial dissociation in an aqueous solution, so as to produce low
concentration of hydroxyl ions are called weak alkalis.
Examples:
 
(i) Ammonium hydroxide NH4OH ‡ˆ ˆˆ ˆ†
ˆˆ NH4  OH

(ii) Calcium hydroxide Ca  OH2 ‡ˆ ˆˆ ˆ† 2

ˆˆ Ca  2OH


(iii) Magnesium hydroxide Mg  OH2 ‡ˆ ˆˆ ˆ† 2

ˆˆ Mg  2OH


III. On the basis of concentration

The measure of amount of water present in a given sample of alkali is called concentration.
Based on the concentration, the alkalis are classified as follows:
Concentrated alkali : A sample of a base which contains very little or no amount of water is called
concentrated alkali.
Dilute alkali: A sample of an alkali which contains far more amount of water than its own weight is
called dilute alkali.
For example, alkali solution having concentration less than 1mole / litre, is called a dilute alkali.
IV On the basis of acidity of base /alkali:
Acidity: The number of hydroxyl ions [OH– ion] furnished by one molecule of an acid on complete
dissociation in water is called its acidity of an alkali.
On the basis of basicity the bases can be classified as under:
Monoacidic bases:
Definition: When one molecule of a base on complete dissociation in water produces one hydroxyl
ion [OH–aq.], then the base is said to be monoacidic base.
Note: A monoacidic base dissociates in one step in aqueous solution if it is a soluble base.
Examples:
   
LiOH ‡ˆ ˆˆ ˆ†
ˆˆ Li  OH ; NaOH ‡ˆ ˆˆ ˆ†
ˆˆ Na  OH .
 268 10th Class Chemistry
Diacidic bases:
Definition: When one molecule of an alkali on complete dissociation in water produces two hydroxyl
ions [2OH–aq.], or a base whose one molecule reacts with two hydronium ions completely to form salt
and water as only products is called a diacidic alkali/base.

Note: Dissociation of alkalis takes place in one step only.

Examples:

Diacidic alkalis: Calcium hydroxide Ca(OH)2 ‡ˆ ˆˆ †ˆ Ca+2 + 2OH–

Magnesium hydroxide Mg(OH)2 ‡ˆ ˆˆ †ˆ Mg+2 + 2OH–

Diacidic bases: Ferrous hydroxide – Fe (OH)2

Copper hydroxide – Cu (OH)2

Triacidic bases: The base whose one molecule reacts with three H+ (aq) ions completely to form salt
and water as only products are called triacidic bases.

Examples: Aluminium hydroxide [Al(OH)3], Ferric hydroxide [Fe(OH)3]

F ormative Worksheet
13. Assertion (A) : NaOH is a strong alkali.
Reason (R) : NaOH completely dissociates in an aqueous solution to produce high concentration
of hydroxyl ions.
a) Both assertion and reason are correct and reason is the correct explanation of assertion.
b) Both assertion and reason are correct but reason is not the correct explanation of assertion.
c) Assertion is correct and reason is incorrect.
d) Assertion is incorrect and reason is correct.
14. Match the following:
Column - I Column - II
(p) NaOH (i) Triacidic
(q) Ca(OH)2 (ii) Monoacidic
(r) Al(OH)3 (iii) Diacidic
(s) Cu(OH)2
Acids & Bases 269
p q r s
a) i iii i iii
b) i i iii i
c) iii ii i i
d) i iii ii i
15. Which one of the following base reacts with HCl in one step?
a) Ca(OH)2 b) NaOH c) Al(OH)3 d) Cu(OH)2
16. Statement A: All alkalis are bases.
Statement B: All bases are not alkalis.
a) ‘A’ is true, ‘B’ is false. b) ‘A’ is false, ‘B’ is true.
c) Both ‘A’ and ‘B’ are true. d) Both ‘A’ and ‘B’ are false.
17. Match the following:
Column - II Column - II
(Classification) (Basis for Classification)
(p) Strong alkali (1) Concentration
(q) Dilute alkali (2) Acidity of a base
(r) Triacidic (3) Strength (in terms of furnishing OH – ions)
p q r
a) 3 1 2
b) 1 2 3
c) 2 3 1
d) 3 2 1

18. Mg(OH)2 + 2HCl  MgCl2 + 2H2O

CsOH + HCl  CsCl + H2 O
Here Mg(OH)2 and CsOH respectively are:
a) Triacidic, Monoacidic b) Diacidic, Monoacidic
c) Diacidic, Diacidic d) Triacidic, Diacidic

19. NH 4 OH + H 2 O ƒ NH 3 + H 3O +
In the above reaction, if four molecules of NH4OH out of 200 are dissociated then, the degree of
dissociation of NH4OH is:
a) 0.06 b) 0.04 c) 0.02 d) 0.01
 270 10th Class Chemistry

C onceptive Worksheet
13. Generally a base is a compound,
a) Which reacts with an acid to give salt and water.
b) Which reacts with a proton of an acid.
c) Which on dissolving in water furnishes OH– ions.
d) All are correct.
14. Which of the following is/are correct?
a) All non-metallic oxides are basic in nature.
b) All metallic oxides are bases.
c) All metallic hydroxides are bases.
d) Both b and c are correct.
15. A base which is soluble in water is called:
a) a salt b) an acid c) an alkali d) None
16. All metallic oxides dissolve in water to give:
a) Acidic hydroxides b) Basic hydroxides
c) Amphoteric hydroxides d) None
17. Which one of the following is a strong alkali?
a) Mg(OH)2 b) NH4OH c) Ca(OH)2 d) KOH
18. Na2O is a:
a) an acidic oxide b) a basic oxide
c) an amphoteric oxide d) None
19. Which of the following is/are true for the concentration of a diluted alkali?
a) 1.0 mole/litre b) 0.1 mole/litre c) 2.0 mole/litred) 0.4 mole/litre
Acids & Bases 271

8. General methods for the preparation of bases or alkalis

1. By the action of oxygen on metals:
Metal + Oxygen 
 Metallic oxide [Basic Oxide]
4K + O2 
 2K 2O

2Cu + O2 
  2CuO
2. By the action of water / steam on active metals:
Metal + Water/Steam 
 Basic hydroxide/oxide + H2(g)
2Na + 2H2O 
 2NaOH + H2

3Fe + 4H2O 
  Fe3O4 + 4H2
3. By dissolving oxides of highly active metals in water:
Oxide of active metal + Water 
 Alkali solution

Na2O + H2 O 
 2NaOH

CaO + H2O 
 Ca(OH)2
4. By dissolving ammonia gas in water:
NH3 + H2 O 
 NH4OH

Soluble + Caustic alkali sol. 

 Insoluble metallic + salt
salt sol. base
AlCl3 + 3NaOH 
 Al (OH)3 + 3NaCl

CuSO4 + 2NaOH 
 Cu (OH)2 + Na2SO 4

5. By strong heating of metallic carbonates [exception: Na2CO3 ; K2CO3]
Metal carbonate 
heat Basic oxide + CO2(g)

CaCO3 heat
 CaO + CO 2

CuCO3 heat
 CuO + CO 2
6. By heating nitrates of metals from calcium to copper in electrochemical series:
Metal nitrate heat
 Basic oxide + Nitrogen dioxide + O2 (g)

2Ca(NO3)2 heat
 2CaO + 4 NO2 + O2

2Cu (NO3)2 

heat 2CuO + 4NO 2 + O2
272 10th Class Chemistry

9. General properties of soluble bases or alkalis

1. Taste: Alkalis have a bitter taste.
2. Touch: Alkalis have a soapy touch i.e., when their solution is felt between the finger
tips.
3. Effect of indicators:
(i) Alkali solutions turn acidic red litmus solution blue.
(ii) Alkali solutions turn acidic methyl orange solution yellow.
(iii) Alkali solutions turn phenolphthalein solution pink.
(iv) Alkali solutions turn turmeric paper brown from its original yellow colour.
4. Action with acids:
Alkali solution + Acid 
 Salt + Water

Ca (OH)2 + 2HNO3 
 Ca (NO3)2 + H 2O

NH4OH + HCl 
 NH4Cl + H2O
5. Action with ammonium salts
Ammonium salt + Alkali 
 Metal salt + Water + Ammonia

2NH4Cl + Ca(OH)2 
 CaCl2 + H 2O + NH3

(NH4)2SO4 + 2KOH 
 K2SO 4 + 2H2O + NH3

10. Uses of common alkalis

Alkali Common use

1. Ammonium hydroxide In removing grease stains from clothes

2. Sodium hydroxide In the manufacture of soaps
3. Calcium hydroxide (i) In softening temporary hard water
(ii) In the manufacture of bleaching powder

4. Magnesium hydroxide Used as antacid so as to neutralize stomach acidity

5. Aluminum hydroxide Used as foaming agentin fire extinguishers
6. Potassium hydroxide Used in the manufacture of soft soap and alkaline
batteries.

Neutralisation: A chemical reaction in which hydronium ions [H+ (aq) ions] of an acid and hydroxyl
(OH–) ions of a base combine to form unionized water molecules, is called neutralization.
Acids & Bases 273
Acid  Base  Salt  Water

HNO3  KOH  KNO3  H2O

F ormative Worksheet
20. Assertion (A) : Phenolphthalein gives pink colour in alkaline solution.
Reason (R): Phenolphthalein ion is pink coloured and its unionised form is colourless.
a) Both assertion and reason are correct and reason is the correct explanation of assertion.
b) Both assertion and reason are correct but reason is not the correct explanation of assertion.
c) Assertion is correct and reason is incorrect.
d) Assertion is incorrect and reason is correct.
21. Assertion : Persons suffering from acidity are advised to drink cold milk (milk is alkaline
in nature).
Reason: The gastric juice in the stomach contains HCl gets neutralised by cold milk.
a) Both assertion and reason are correct and reason is the correct explanation of assertion.
b) Both assertion and reason are correct but reason is not the correct explanation of assertion.
c) Assertion is correct and reason is incorrect.
d) Assertion is incorrect and reason is correct.
22. Statement A: NaOH is highly corrosive in nature.
Statement B: It blisters the skin by combining with the oils and fat in the skin.
a) ‘A’ is true, ‘B’ is false. b) ‘A’ is false, ‘B’ is true.
c) Both ‘A’ and ‘B’ are true. d) Both ‘A’ and ‘B’ are false.
23. Highly active metals dissolve in water gives _________ gas in the formation of their respective basic
oxides.
a) Oxygen b) Hydrogen c) Carbon dioxide d) Nitrogen
24. Match the following:
Column - I Column - II
(Alkali/Base) (Common use)
p) NaOH i) In removing grease stains from clothes.
q) Ca(OH)2 ii) In the manufacture of soap.
r) Al(OH)3 iii) In the manufacture of bleaching powder.
s) KOH iv) Used as foaming agent in fire extinguishers.
t) NH4OH v) Used in the manufacture of alkaline batteries.
 274 10th Class Chemistry
p q r s t
a) i iii i v iv
b) iii i i iv v
c) ii iii iv v i
d) v iv iii ii i

25.
A  B + C + D

+ +
J
E
+
I
+

F + G H

‘A’ is an orange coloured dichromate which swells on heating.

‘C’ is green coloured compound.
‘E’ is a gas which puts off a burning splinter with pop sound.
‘H’ is white dense fumes.
‘I’ turns milky on passing CO2 through it.
Then identify A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I and J respectively.

C onceptive Worksheet
20. Which of the following is/are the characteristic(s) of a base?
a) Bases are soapy to touch. b) Bases are bitter to taste.
c) Strong bases are deliquescent in nature. d) All the above.
21. Which of the following is/are not a characteristic of a base?
a) Can form salt and water by reacting with an acid.
b) Can provide OH– ions in aqueous solution.
c) Turns blue litmus red.
d) Turns methyl Orange from Orange to colourless.
Acids & Bases 275
22. Neutralisation is _________ reaction.
a) an endothermic b) an exothermic
c) Neither endothermic nor exothermic d) Both endothermic and exothermic
23. Which of the following is an incorrect statement for neutralisation?
a) An acid and base reacts to give salt and water.
b) Always [H+] of an acid reacts with [OH–] to give salt and water.
c) It is a reversible reaction. (except the reaction between strong base and strong acid).
d) All are correct.
24. Why NaOH is not used for preparing standard solution in the laboratory?
a) Since it is a strong base.
b) Since it is highly deliquescence in nature.
c) Since it slippery to touch. d) All the above.
25. After the completion of neutralisation, the colour of litmus turns from:
a) Red to blue b) Blue to red c) No change d) Red to colourless

Modern concept of Acids and Bases

Acids and bases were defined in various ways by early chemists based on experimental observations.
But, soon chemists realised that the definitions based on experimental observations were imperfect and
efforts were made to give better definitions based on molecular structure.
Modern concepts of acids and bases are based mainly on three theories:
(1) Arrhenius theory. (2) Bronsted-Lowry theory.
(3) Lewis theory.

11. Arrhenius theory

According to Arrhenius (1884), “An acid is a substance that contains hydrogen atom and ionises
in aqueous solution to give H+ ions”.
Acids can be represented by a general formula HX, where ‘X’ is any anion or negative radical.

HX ƒ H  X 
Examples:
HCl + water ƒ H+ + Cl–

HNO3 + water ƒ H+ + NO3

H2SO4 + water ƒ H+ + HSO4

276 10th Class Chemistry
HSO4 + water ƒ H+ + SO42
According to Arrhenius “A base is a substance contains OH group and which ionises in water,
producing Hydroxyl (OH–) ions”.
Base can be represented by a general formula MOH, where ‘M’ is any cation or positive radical.
MOH ƒ M+ + OH–
Examples
NaOH + water ƒ Na+ + OH–
KOH + water ƒ K+ + OH–
Ca(OH)2 + water ƒ Ca+2 + 2OH–
Strengths of acids bases
According to this theory, acids which dissociate to a large extent and produce in aqueous solution large
number of H+ ions are strong acids and those which dissociate to a smaller extent and produce less
number of H+ ions are weak acids.
Eg:- HCl, H2SO4 and HNO3 etc. are strong acids and CH3COOH, H3BO3 (boric acid), HCN, etc.,
are weak acids.
Similarly bases which dissociate to a larger extent in aqueous solution and produce a large no. of OH–
ions are strong bases and those which dissociate slightly giving a few OH– ions in aqueous solution are
weak bases.
Eg:- NaOH, KOH, Ba(OH)2 are examples of strong bases, while NH4OH, Ca(OH)2, Al(OH)3 are
examples for weak bases.
The acid-base strength can be quantitatively compared through their dissociation constants. For the
acid HX, the dissociation constant is

 H   X  
K    
HX 
This constant is usually written as Ka, ionisation constant of the acid. Similarly for base MOH,

M  OH 
K    
 MOH 
This constant is usually written as Kb, ionisation constant of the base. The larger the value of Ka or Kb,
the stronger is the acid or base. For weak acids and bases, Ka and Kb values are small. However, for
acids such as HCl, H2SO4, HNO3, Ka cannot be determined because these acids undergo complete
dissociation at ordinary dilutions and equilibrium does not exist. Same is the case for strong bases such
as NaOH and KOH.
Acids & Bases 277
Neutralisation reaction:
When an acid reacts with the required amount of base, both will lose their characteristic properties
resulting in a neutral solution. This is known as neutralisation reaction. According to Arrhenius,
neutralization is a reaction in which H+ ions of the acids combine with the OH– ions of the base to give
undissociated water.

H  aq   OH  aq  ƒ H2O

Examples:
i) Acids neutralise bases to form salt and water.

Base + Acid  Salt + Water

NaOH + HCl  NaCl + H2 O
CuO + H2SO4  CuSO4 + H2 O
ii) Bases neutralise acids to form salt and water.

Base + Acid  Salt + Water

2KOH + H2SO4  K 2SO 4 + 2H2O
NaOH + HCl  NaCl + H2 O
Advantages of Arrhenius theory:
i) The common reaction in neutralisation is the reaction between hydrogen and hydroxyl
ions. This lends a strong support to Arrhenius theory.
ii) As the definitions are simple, the theory is popular even today.
Limitations of Arrhenius Theory:
(i) Failure in non-aqueous medium
This concept can be applied only to aqueous solution of acids and bases and fails for
non-aqueous solution of acids and bases.
For example, when HCl is dissolved in water, it acts as an acid. But, when it is dissolved
in benzene, it neither furnishes H+ ions nor shows any acidic property.
ii) Absence of hydrogen ions but still acids
Acidic nature of SO2, SO3, BF3 and P2O5 cannot be explained on the basis of this theory
as they do not have H+ ions of their own.
iii) Absence of hydroxyl ions but still a base
Basic nature of compounds like ammonia (NH3), not having hydroxyl ions cannot be
explained by this theory.
 278 10th Class Chemistry
Modification of Arrhenius theory:
With a few modifications, Arrhenius theory can be made applicable not only to aqueous solutions but
also to non-aqueous solutions. All polar solvent undergo ionisation to some extent producing positive
and negative ions. Water contains to a small extent equal number of H+ and OH– ions.

H2O ƒ H  OH

The small conductance of water is attributed to these ions. However, these ions get hydrated and the
above equilibrium should be written as

H2O  H2O ƒ H3O  aq   OH  aq 

Substance which increase in the aqueous solution H3O+ concentration behave as acids. While those
which increase OH– concentration in aqueous solution behave as bases. CO 2, SO2, SO3 behave as
acids in water as they increase the H3O+ concentration in the aqueous solutions.

CO2  2H2O  H3O  HCO3

SO3  2H2O  H3O  HSO4

NH3, CaO, Na2CO3 behave as bases in water as they increase OH– concentration in the aqueous
solution.

NH3  H2O ƒ NH4  aq   OH  aq 

Na 2CO3  H2O ƒ 2Na   aq   HCO3  aq   OH   aq 

Other polar solvents may also be regarded as undergoing dissociation to some extent. Liquid ammonia
behaves as solvent due to the following equilibrium.

NH3  NH3 ƒ NH4  NH2

Substances such has NH4Cl which increase NH4 concentration in liquid ammonia solution behave as
acids. Similarly substances like NaNH2 which increase NH2 ion concentration behave has bases in
ammonia solution.

F ormative Worksheet
26. Statement A: According to Arrhenius theory, substance which can neither give H+ nor OH– ions in
aqueous solutions are salts.
Statement B: Arrhenius theory supports the salt nature of K2SO4.
a) A is true, B is false. b) A is false, B is true.
c) A and B are true. d) A and B are false.
Acids & Bases 279
27. Match the following:
Column - I Column - II
1) HCl p) Strong acids
2) CH3COOH q) Weak acids
3) HNO3
4) H3BO3
5) H2SO4
6) HCN
1 2 3 4 5 6
a) p q p q q p
b) p q p q p q
c) q p q p q p
d) p p p q q q
28. Match the following:
Column - I Column - II
1) NaOH p) Strong bases
2) KOH q) Weak bases
3) Ba(OH)2
4) Ca(OH)2
5) NH4OH
6) Al(OH)3
1 2 3 4 5 6
a) p q p q p q
b) q q q p p p
c) p p p q q q
d) q p q p q p
29. Assertion (A): Aqueous solutions of strong acids conduct electricity.
Reason (R) : Strong acids ionises to large extent in water.
a) Both assertion and reason are correct and reason is the correct explanation of assertion.
b) Both assertion and reason are correct but reason is not the correct explanation of assertion.
c) Assertion is correct and reason is incorrect.
d) Assertion is incorrect and reason is correct.
 280 10th Class Chemistry
30. Which of the following statement(s) is/are true?
a) For stronger acids and bases, the values of Ka and Kb are relatively large.
b) For weaker acids and bases, the values of Ka and Kb are relatively small.
c) Ka cannot be determined for strong acids like HCl and H2SO4.
d) Kb cannot be determined for strong bases, like NaOH and KOH.
31. Which of the following is (are) the limitation(s) of Arrhenius theory?
a) It could not explain the acid and base character interm of the substances themselves.
b) It could not explain acidic nature of substances like CO2, SO2, SO3.
c) It could not explain the acidic properties of AlCl3, BF3, etc.
d) All the above.

C onceptive Worksheet
26. Which of the following is true according to Arrhenius theory?
a) Acid is that which increases the concentration of H+ in aqueous solution.
b) Base is that which increases the concentration of OH– in aqueous solution.
c) NH3 is a base according to Arrhenius theory.
d) All the above.
27. Which of the following are the examples of Arrhenius acids?
a) HCl b) H2SO4 c) HSO4 d) CH3COOH
28. Which of the following are Arrhenius bases?
a) NaOH b) NH3 c) CaO d) Na2CO3
29. Which of the following are not considered as acids by Arrhenius theory?
a) CO2 b) SO2 c) SO3 d) HCl
30. NH3 is not a base according to:
a) Bronsted - Lowry theory b) Lewis theory
c) Arrhenius theory d) All the theories
31. Arrhenius neutralisation involves :
a) Formation of a dative bond.
b) Formation of water by the combination of H+ and OH–.
c) Transfer of proton. d) Formation of H3O+
Acids & Bases 281

12. Bronsted-Lowry theory

Bronsted and Lowry of acids and bases
A substance or a chemical species which can donate proton is known as an acid. i.e., a proton donor
is an acid.
A substance or a chemical species which can accept proton is known as a base. ie. a proton acceptor
is a base.
Acid - base reactions are reversible.
In the reaction, HCl  H2O ƒ H3O  Cl  , HCl + and H3O+ are Bronsted - Lowry acids.
H2O and Cl– are Bronsted - Lowry bases.
In the reaction, NH3  H2O ƒ NH4  OH , H2O and NH4 are Bronsted - Lowry acids.
NH3 and OH– are Bronsted - Lowry Bases.
The transfer of proton from an acid to the base is known as neutralization (or) protolysis.
A pair of acid-base, which differ by a proton is known as a conjugate acid-base pair.
Note:
1. The removal of a proton from a Bronsted-Lowry Acid gives its conjugate base.
Eg:
(i) The conjugate base of HCl is Cl–.
(ii) The conjugate base of H2SO4 is HSO4–.
(iii) The conjugate base of H3O+ is H2O.

(iv) The conjugate base of H2PO4 is HPO42 .

2. The addition of proton to a Bronsted-Lowry base gives its conjugate acid.
Eg:
(i) The conjugate acid of NH3 is NH4+.

(ii) The conjugate acid of PO34 is HPO42 .

(iii) The conjugate acid of OH– is H2O.
(iv) The conjugate acid of H2O is H3O+.
3. The conjugate base of strong acid is a weak base.
Eg:
(i) HCl is a strong acid, so Cl– is a weak base.

(ii) HNO3 is a strong acid, so NO3 is a weak base.

 282 10th Class Chemistry

4. The conjugate base of a weak acid is a strong base.

Eg: CH3COOH is a weak acid so CH3COO– is a strong base.
5. The conjugate acid of strong base is a weak acid.
Eg:
(i) OH– is a strong base, so H2O is a weak acid.

(ii) NH3 is a strong base, so NH4 is a weak acid.

6. The conjugate acid of weak base is a strong acid.
Eg:

(i) C6H5NH2 is a weak base, so C6H5 NH3 is a strong acid.

(ii) C2H5OH is a weak base, so C2H5 OH2 is a strong acid.

Conjugate acid – base pairs and their relative strengths.

A strong acid has a weak conjugate base and a

strong base has a weak conjugate acid.
Acids & Bases 283

Bronsted-Lowry Theory at a glance

(i)

Acid Base

Proton Donor + Proton Acceptor

Transfer of
proton

Neutralisation

Donate proton
(ii)
A 
  B  H

Conjugate
acid  
Conjugate
base 
Conjugate
acid-base pair

(iii) Strong acid Weak base

Conjugate acid  Proton Conjugate base.

Weak acid Strong base

(iv) Strong base Weak acid

Conjugate base  Proton Conjugate acid.

Weak base Strong acid

 284 10th Class Chemistry

F ormative Worksheet
32. Which of the following is not a Bronsted acid?
a) Bisulphate ion b) Nitride ion c) Nitric Acid d) Hydroxide ion

33. HF + H 3O + ƒ H 2 F+ + H 2 O . In this reaction, Bronsted bases are:

a) H3O+, H2O b) HF, H3O+ c) H2F+, H2O d) HF, H2O

34. Which of the following can act as both Bronsted acid and a Bronsted base?

(i) HCOO– (ii) NH3 (iii) O–2 (iv) HSO4

a) i and ii b) ii and iii c) ii and iv d) i and iv

35. I)Conjugate base of HSO4– is:
II) Conjugate base of H2SO4 is:
(I) (II)
a) H2SO4 H2SO4

b) SO24 HSO4

c) SO4 SO24

d) HSO4 SO4

36. Assertion (A) : H2PO 4 can act as a Bronsted base as well as Bronsted acid.

Reason (R) : Ion of polybasic acid which contains at least one H atom can act as Bronsted acid as
well as Bronsted base.

a) Both assertion and reason are correct and reason is the correct explanation of assertion.

b) Both assertion and reason are correct but reason is not the correct explanation of assertion.

c) Assertion is correct and reason is incorrect.

d) Assertion is incorrect and reason is correct.

37. The conjugate base of hydrozoic acid is:

a) N2H4 b) N2H5 c) N3 d) NH2OH

Acids & Bases 285

C onceptive Worksheet
32. The reaction of water with ammonia is; H2O + NH3 ƒ NH+4 + OH–. In this reaction, water behaves
as:
a) An acid b) A base c) Both as acid and as base d) Neutral
33. H2O is a,
a) Proton acceptor.
b) Proton Donor.
c) Both Proton donor and proton acceptor.
d) Neither proton donor, nor proton acceptor.
34. The conjugate acid of OH– is:
a) H3O+ b) H2 c) OH d) H2O
35. The Bronsted acid which gives the weakest conjugate base is:
a) HF b) H2S c) H2O d) HCl

36. H 3O + + OH  
 2H 2 O is:
a) Arrhenius neutralisation b) Bronsted neutralisation
c) Lewis neutralisation d) Both Bronsted and Lewis neutralisation
37. The strongest base among the following is:

a) Cl– b) CH3COO– c) HSO4 d) NO3

13. Levelling effect

Water, levels all strong acids to the strength of H3O+ ion and all strong bases to the strength of OH


ions. This is called the levelling effect.

Water is not a suitable solvent to determine the relative strengths of acids and bases. A solvent
having low levelling effect must be used to determine the relative strengths of acids and bases.
The relative strengths of different acids can be determined in glacial acetic acid. The relative strengths of
different bases can be determined in ammonia. A weak acid will have more levelling effect than water
towards different bases. A weak base will have more levelling effect than water towards different acids.
Generally glacial acetic acid or anhydrous hydrofluoric acid is used as the differentiating solvent to
determine the relative strengths of various acids.
The relative strengths of various acids in glacial acetic acid are
 286 10th Class Chemistry
HClO4 > HI > HBr > H2SO4 > HCl > HNO3 > H3PO4
Types of Bronsted - Lowry Acids :
i) Molecular Acids: HCl, H2SO4, HNO3, HClO4, CH3COOH, HCOOH, H2S, HCN

ii) Cationic acids : NH4 , H3O , N2H5 , C6H5NH3

iii) Anionic Acids: HSO4 , H2PO4 , HPO42

Types of Bronsted-Lowry Bases
i) Molecular Bases: NH3, H2O, C2H5OH, N2H4, C6H5NH2
ii) Cationic Bases: [Al(H2O)5OH]++, [Cu(H2O)3OH]+

iii) Anionic Bases: HSO4 , NO3 , Cl 

Note:
i) Basicity (or) protocity of Bronsted acid is the number of H + ions given by a
molecule/ion:
Ex: Basicity of HCl = 1
Basicity of H2SO4 =2
Basicity of H3PO3 =2
Basicity of H3PO4 =3

Acidity (or) hydroxicity of Bronsted base is the number of OH ions given by a

ii)
molecule/ion:
Ex: Acidity of NaOH =1
Acidity of Ca(OH)2 =2
Acidity of Al(OH)3 =3
iii) Bronsted acid functions as an acid only in the presence of proton acceptor (base).
Ex : HCl functions as an acid in water but not in benzene as it can not accept protons.
iv) Bronsted base functions as a base only in the presence of proton donor (acid).
v) The compound which acts as a proton donor as well as proton acceptor is called a amphiprotic substance.
Eg: H2O, NH3.
vi) Bronsted - Lowry theory explains the behaviour of acids and bases in both aqueous and non aqueous
solutions.
Drawbacks:
i) Proton donation (or) acceptance happens only in the presence of other substances.
Acids & Bases 287
ii) Bronsted - Lowry theory could not explain the acidic nature of electron deficient compounds like
AlCl3, BCl3, etc,.

F ormative Worksheet
38. Match the following:
Column - I Column - II
1) HClO4 p) Molecular acids
2) CH3COOH q) Cationic acids
3) NH +4 r) Anionic acids
4) H3O+
5) HSO 4

6) H 2 PO 4
(1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6)
a) p p q q r r
b) p q r p q r
c) p r q p r q
d) q q p p r r
39. Match the following:
Column - I Column - II
1) NH3 p) Molecular bases
2) HSO 4 q) Cationic bases
++
3)  Al  H 2 O 5 OH  r) Anionic bases
4) N2H4
5) NO 3

6)  Cu  H 2 O 3 OH 
+

(1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6)

a) p r q p q r
b) p q r p r q
c) p r q p r q
d) p q r p q r
 288 10th Class Chemistry
40. Statement A: Water levels all strong acids to the strength of H3O+ ion and all strong bases to
the strength of OH– ions.
Statement B: Water is a suitable solvent to determine the relative strengths of acids and bases.
a) A is true, B is false. b) A is false, B is true.
c) A and B are true. d) A and B are false.
41. a) A weak acid will have (i) levelling effect than water towards different bases.
b) A weak base will have (ii) levelling effect than water towards different acids.
(i) (ii)
a) Less More
b) More Less
c) Less Less
d) More More
42. Assertion (A) : The strongest acid in aqueous solution is H3O+.
Reason (R) : Levelling effect of water.
a) Both assertion and reason are correct and reason is the correct explanation of assertion.
b) Both assertion and reason are correct but reason is not the correct explanation of assertion.
c) Assertion is correct and reason is incorrect.
d) Assertion is incorrect and reason is correct.
43. Statement A: Bronsted acids function as an acid in the presence of any solvent.
Statement B: Bronsted bases function as a base in the presence of any solvent.
a) A is true, B is false. b) A is false, B is true.
c) A and B are true. d) A and B are false.
44. Which of the following can act as both proton donor and proton acceptor?
a) H2O b) NH3 c) HCl d) NaOH

C onceptive Worksheet
38. The basicity of HCl, H2SO4 and H3PO3 respectively is:
a) 1, 2, 3 b) 1, 2, 2 c) 2, 3, 1 d) 1, 3, 2
39. The acidity of NaOH, Ba(OH)2 respectively is:
a) 1, 2 b) 1, 1 c) 2, 1 d) 2, 2
Acids & Bases 289
40. Which of the following solvents is used to measure the relative strengths of the acids?
a) Water b) Ammonia c) Glacial acetic acid d) Alcohol
41. Which of the following solvents is used to measure the relative strengths of the bases?
a) Water b) Ammonia c) Glacial acetic acid d) Alcohol
42. Statement A: All Arrhenius acids are Bronsted acids.
Statement B: All Bronsted acids are Arrhenius acids.
a) ‘A’ is true, ‘B’ is false. b) ‘A’ is false, ‘B’ is true.
c) Both ‘A’ and ‘B’ are true. d) Both ‘A’ and ‘B’ are false.
43. Which of the following is not an amphiprotic ion?
a) HCOO– b) CH3COO– c) H2PO2 d) All
44. Which of the following is an aprotic solvent?
a) Water b) Carbon disulphide
c) Ether d) Ammonia

14. Lewis theory of acids and bases

Lewis acid and base
A substance or a chemical species, that can accept a pair of electrons to form a
co-ordinate covalent bond is known as Lewis acid.
A substance or a chemical species that can donate a pair of electrons to form a
co-ordinate covalent bond is known as Lewis base.
Lewis acid contains a vacant orbital. Lewis base contains a lone pair of electrons (or non-bonded
pair of electrons).
Types of Lewis acids:
i) Atoms which contain electron sextet (i.e. 6 electrons) in their valency shell.
Eg: O, S, Se, Te, etc.
ii) Molecules in which octet is not complete in the valency shell of central atom.
Eg. BCl3, AlCl3, BF3, BeF2, FeCl3, etc.
iii) Molecules in which central atom can expand its octet using vacant d-orbitals present in its valency shell.
Eg: SiF4, SnCl4, SF4, TeF4, FeCl3,.........
iv) Molecules having multiple bonds other than carbon-carbon multiple bonds.
Eg. CO2, SO2, SO3, NO2, Cl2O7, P4O10
v) All simple cations and carbonium ions.
 290 10th Class Chemistry

 
Eg: H+, Ag+, Co3+, C H3 CH3 CH3 C H2 , Fe3 , Cu2 , Ni2 , Fe2 , Al3 , Na 
vi) In organic chemistry, Lewis acids are called Electrophiles. Electrophile means electron seeking species
(or) electron deficient species.
Types of Lewis bases:
i) Molecules having one or more lone pairs of electrons on the central atom, available for the donation to
form a dative bond.
gg gg gg gg gg gg gg
Eg: H2 O, N H3 , R OH, R 2 O, R 2 S, R N H2 , R OR.
gg gg gg gg gg

ii) All anions:

Eg: Cl , F  , OH , CN , SCN , NH2

iii) Carbanions : CH3 , CH3CH2

iv) Molecules having carbon-carbon multiple bonds C2H2, C2H4 ......
v) In complex compounds, all ligands are Lewis bases.
vi) In organic chemistry, Lewis bases are called Nucleophiles. Nucleophile means nucleus seeking species
or electron rich species.
Neutralization
According to Lewis theory, the formation of co-ordinate covalent bond is known as Neutralisation
process.
H3N :  H ƒ  H3N  H 
 
Drawbacks:
i) According to Lewis theory, neutralisation reaction (formation of datives bond) occurs slowly. But, it is
a well known fact that the acid-base neutralisation reactions occur quickly.
ii) Acids like HCl, H2SO4 react with bases such as NaOH (or) KOH but do not form co-ordinate
covalent bond. All the acid-base reactions do not involve co-ordinate bond formation.
iii) Lewis theory could not explain the strength of acids and bases.
iv) Lewis theory could not explain the catalytic activity of H+ ion.
v) All Lewis Bases are Bronsted-Lowry bases and similarly all Bronsted-Lowry bases are Lewis Bases.
vi) All Lewis acids are not Bronsted-Lowry Acids and similarly all Bronsted-Lowry acids are not Lewis
acids.
vii) Pure water is a poor conductor of electricity.
viii) Pure water ionises to a very small extent.
Acids & Bases 291

F ormative Worksheet
45. In complex compounds, the central metal atom can act as:
a) a Lewis acid b) a Lewis base c) a Bronsted acid d) a Arrhenius acid
 
46. In the reaction SnCl 2 + 2Cl   SnCl4 + 2e , the lewis acid is:
a) Cl –
b) SnCl2 c) SnCl4 d) None
47. Assertion (A) : According to Lewis concept, NaCl is a salt.
Reason (R) : Salt is compound formed by the addition of acid to a base.
a) Both assertion and reason are correct and reason is the correct explanation of assertion.
b) Both assertion and reason are correct but reason is not the correct explanation of assertion.
c) Assertion is correct and reason is incorrect.
d) Assertion is incorrect and reason is correct.
48. Assertion (A): An electrophile can act as a Lewis acid.
Reason (R) : Substance which can take electron pair is known as a Lewis acid.
a) Both assertion and reason are correct and reason is the correct explanation of assertion.
b) Both assertion and reason are correct but reason is not the correct explanation of assertion.
c) Assertion is correct and reason is incorrect.
d) Assertion is incorrect and reason is correct.
49. Assertion (A): SF4 can act as a Lewis acid.
Reason (R) : The compound which contains vacant d-orbitals can act as Lewis acid.
a) Both assertion and reason are correct and reason is the correct explanation of assertion.
b) Both assertion and reason are correct but reason is not the correct explanation of assertion.
c) Assertion is correct and reason is incorrect.
d) Assertion is incorrect and reason is correct.
50. Carbanions are:
a) Lewis bases b) Lewis acids c) Bronsted acids d) Arrhenius acids
51. Match the following:
Column - I Column - II
I) Lewis acid A) Cl–
II) Conjugate base of HSO 4 B) AlCl3
III) Bronsted - Lowry base C) SO 24 
The correct match is:
I II III
a) C A B
b) C C A
c) B C A
d) C B B
 292 10th Class Chemistry
52. Match the following:
Column - I Column - II
A) CH3COONH4 i) Arrhenius neutralisation
B) H+ + OH– ii) Amphiprotic
C) HClO4 iii) Neutral

D) HCO3 iv) Strongest acid

The correct match is:
A B C D
a) iii ii i iv
b) iv i i iii
c) iii i iv i
d) i iii iv i
53. Match the following:
Column - I Column - II
A) NH3 1) Salt according to Lewis concept
B) CO 2 2) Salt according to Arrhenius theory

C) HCO3 3) Lewis base

D) NaCl 4) Lewis acid
5) Bronsted acid and Lewis base
The correct match is:
A B C D
a) 1 3 5 2
b) 3 4 5 2
c) 3 4 1 2
d) 3 4 5 1

C onceptive Worksheet
45. Which of the following is not a Lewis Acid?
a) Aluminum chloride b) Ammonia
c) Sulphur trioxide d) Cupric ion
Acids & Bases 293
46. BF3 is a:
a) Lewis base b) Lewis acid c) Bronsted acid d) Bronsted base

47. In the reaction, AlCl3 + Cl 

 AlCl4 , AlCl3 is:
a) Lewis acid b) Lewis base c) Lewis salt d) Any of the base
48. Which of the following is a Lewis acid but not a Bronsted acid?
a) HSO4 b) BCl3 c) NH3 d) HNO3
49. All Lewis acids are not necessarily,
a) Proton donors b) Bronsted acids c) Arrhenius acids d) All

50. In the reaction BCl3 + PH 3   Cl3B  PH3  the Lewis base is:

a) BCl3 b) PH3 c) Both d) None

51. Which of the following has the highest nucleophilicity?

a) F– b) OH– c) CH3 d) NH2

52. Formation of dative bond is neutralisation according to the following acid base theory:
a) Arrhenius b) Lewis c) Bronsted - Lowry d) None of the above
53. A) Lewis concept cannot explain the acidic nature of H2SO4.
B) Bronsted Lowry theory can explain the acidic nature of CO2.
C) H2SO4 in HClO4 can act as a base.
a) Only A is wrong b) Only B is wrong c) Only C is wrong d) All are wrong

15. Factors effecting the strength of Acids and Bases

1. Extent of ionisation:
Ionisation is the process of production of ions. The presence of H+ ions determines the acidic nature of
the substance, and the higher the yield of H+ ions in solution, the stronger the acidic nature. The yield of
H+ ions depends on the extent to which the ionisation takes place. Let us look at the ionisation of HCl
and acetic acid.
It is observed that, HCl molecules completely dissociate into H+ and Cl– ions, as shown below:

HCl 
H2 O
 H  Cl 
The complete dissociation of HCl molecule results in the formation of more number of H+ ions. This
makes HCl a strong acid.
In acetic acid only a small fraction of molecules undergo dissociation as follows:
 294 10th Class Chemistry
H O
CH3COOH ‡ˆ ˆˆ ˆˆ2 ˆˆ †ˆ H  CH3COO
( Acetate ions )

Due to partial dissociation, the number of H+ ions furnished in the acetic acid solution is less. This makes
it a weak acid. So, the strength of an acid and its impact depends upon the degree of ionisation. This
can be summarized as follows:
(i) Complete dissociation of acid
 Higher number of H+ ions  Strong acid  Corrosive
(ii) Partial dissociation of acid
 Lesser number of H+ ions  Weak acid  Non-corrosive
Similarly, if the extent of ionisation of a base is more, then more number of [OH–] ions are furnished in
the solution and hence, it becomes a strong base. For example NaOH is a strong base because, it
dissociates completely, furnishing more number of [OH–] ions, whereas NH4OH is a weak base, because
it dissociates partially.
2. Degree of dissociation (  ) :
The extent of ionisation is understood by the term degree of dissociation ( ) .

% of ionisation
Degree of dissociation    
100

10
If 10% is the extent of the ionisation, then    0.1
100
 is the index of strength of an acid.
3. Concentration (C):
Concentration of a solute in a solvent is generally expressed in terms of ‘Molarity’.
Molar concentration of a solution is denoted by square bracket [ ].
Molar concentration of CH3COOH is 1M. This means, in 1 litre of solution, we have 1 mole of
CH3COOH and it is represented as follows:
[CH3COOH] = 1M
Similarly, 10–1M H2SO4 solution means, in 1 litre of solution 0.1 moles of H2SO4 is present and it is
represented as follows:
[H2SO4] = 0.1M
The molar concentration of H + and OH – ions in a solution are denoted by [H +] and
[OH–] respectively.
Acids & Bases 295
If [H+] = 10–2M, this means that 1 litre of solution has 10–2 = 0.01 moles of H+ ions.
The strength of an acid also depends upon its concentration. A concentrated acid has greater concentration
of [H+] ions and hence has greater strength. A concentrated basic solution has greater concentration of
[OH–] ions and hence has greater strength.
4. Nature of solvent:
The strength of acids and bases depends on nature of solvent as the extent of their ionisation differs with
the nature of solvent.
In water, as all strong acids ionise equally, it is difficult to determine their relative strengths.
Hence, to determine their relative strengths, we should dissolve the acid in a solvent which does not
promote ionisation.
For example, in a solvent such as glacial acetic acid, the decreasing order of the strength of acids is as
follows:
HClO4 > HI > HBr > H2SO4 > HCl > HNO3
Similarly, in a solvent such as benzene, the decreasing order of the strength of bases is as follows:
CsOH > KOH > NaOH > Ba(OH)2
5. Oxidation number:
The more the oxidation number, the more the strength of an acid.

Oxidation number of
Oxyacids Chlorine Structural Formula
Chlorine
Hypochlorous Acid HOCl +1
Chlorous Acid HClO2 +3
Chloric Acid HClO3 +5
Perchloric Acid HClO4 +6

The strongest among the oxyacids of chlorine is HClO4, as oxidation number of

Chlorine is maximum in it.

16. Ionisation of weak electrolytes - Ostwald dilution law

The ionisation constant is the equilibrium constant for an ionic equilibrium. If the ionisation of an acid is
under consideration, the symbol Ka is used; if the ionisation of a base is under consideration, the symbol
Kb is used. For example in the ionisation of acetic acid.

H   Ac  
  
Ka =
HAc 
in which [H+] = equilibrium concentration of H+ in moles per litre
296 10th Class Chemistry
[Ac–] = equilibrium concentration of Ac– in moles per litre
[HAc] = equilibrium concentration of [HAc] in moles per litre
However: [H+] =  c
[Ac–] =  c
[HAc] = (1–  )c
in which  = degree of dissociation
c = original concentration of acetic acid

 c  c   2c
Then Ka =
1    c = 1 

2
For most weak electrolytes,  is small and 1–  is equal to almost 1 and Ka =  c .

17. Ionisation of weak electrolytes-Ostwald dilution law

Strength of acids Strength of bases
and dissociation constant and dissociation constant
An acid HA dissociates as A base BOH dissociates as
HA ƒ H + A  BOH ƒ B + OH
The strength of an acid can be understood with the The strength of a base can be understood by a
help of a constant called the dissociation constant constant called dissociation constant denoted by Kb.
denoted by Ka .  B   OH 

H   A   It is given as K b 
It is given as K a      BOH
HA 
 B  = Molar concentration of the
 
H  = Molar concentration of H+ ions

conjugate acid.
A   = Molar concentration of the  OH  = Molar concentration of OH ions [BOH]
   
conjugate base = Molar concentration of the base.
[HA] = Molar concentration of the acid.

Significance of Ka and Kb:

H   A  
We know that for an acidic solution K a 
HA 
For a given acidic solution, molar concentration of HA is constant
Acids & Bases 297

 K a  H   A  

Hence, More the Ka  More the H+  Greater the strength of acid

B  OH 
Similarly, we know that for a basic solution K b 
BOH
For a given basic solution molar concentration of BOH is constant

 K b  B  OH 

Hence, More the Kb  More the OH–  Greater the strength of base
So, we can conclude that acid and base constants are indicators of the strengths of acids and bases
respectively.
The following diagram indicates the trend of the strengths of acids and bases with respect to acid and
base constant.
Expression for strength of acid and base:
If concentration of two weak acids is same, and if 1 and  2 are the degree of dissociations of acid 1
and acid 2 respectively, then

K a1 12  K a1
  1 
K a2 22
2 Ka2

But  is an index of the strength of an acid. Hence,

Strength of acid1 1 K a1
 
Strength of acid 2 2 K a2

Similarly for two bases we have,

Strength of base1 1 K b1
 
Strength of base 2  2 K b2
 298 10th Class Chemistry

 More is the extent of ionisation of an acid or base, more is its strength.

% of ionisation
 Degree of ionisation  α  =
100
 More is the concentration of an acid or a base, more is its strength.
 Strength of acids: HClO4 > HI > HBr > H2SO4 > HCl > HNO3
Warm-up Court

 Strength of bases: CsOH > KOH > NaOH > Ba(OH)2

 The more the oxidation number, the more the strength of an acid.

2C
 Ka = ; for weak acid, Ka = 2C
1 
 H+   A   B+   OH 
 Ka =     Kb =   
 HA  BOH
 More the Ka  More the H+  Greater the strength of acid
 More the Kb  More the OH– Greater the strength of base

Strength of acid1 α1 K a1 Strength of base1 α K b1

 = = ; = 1 =
Strength of acid 2 α 2 K a2 Strength of base 2 α 2 K b2

F ormative Worksheet
54. The ionization constants (Ka) of some acids are given below:
HF = 6.7 × 10–4, CH3COOH = 2 × 10–5, H3BO3 = 5.8 × 10–10, C6H5COOH = 6.3 × 10–5 Which is
a relatively stronger acid?
a) HF b) CH3COOH c) H3BO3 d) C6H5COOH
55. i) Two acids of same concentration always have same strengths. T/F.
ii) Hydrogen chloride is a strong acid which dissociates nearly completely in water. Hence, the
ionisation constant is the measure of the strength of an acid or a base. T/F.
i ii i ii
a) T T b) F T
c) T F d) F F
56. The dissociation constants of two acids HA1 and HA2 are 3.6 × 10–4 and 1.8 × 10–5 respectively. The
relative strength of acids will be.
a) 1 : 4.5 b) 4.5 : 1 c) 1 : 20.3 d) 20.3 : 1
Acids & Bases 299
57. The dissociation constants of acid A and acid B are 16.2 × 10–3 and 1.8 × 10–3 respectively. Find the
relative strength of the acids.
a) 4 : 1 b) 3 : 1 c) 2 : 1 d) 1 : 1
58. The dissociation constant of 1 st acid is 21.4 × 10 –5 M and its concentration is
0.5 × 10–5M. The dissociation constant of 2nd acid is 1.8 × 10–5 and its concentration is 1.78 × 10–5.
Find the relative strengths of the acids.
a) 8.5 : 1 b) 7.5 : 1 c) 6.5 : 1 d) 5.5 : 1
59. Two hypothetical acids HA and HB have the dissociation constants 1 × 10 –3 and 1 × 10–5
respectively in water at 25°C. Calculate the strength of HA with respect to HB.
a) 10 : 1 b) 1 : 10 c) 1 : 20 d) 20 : 1

C onceptive Worksheet
54. In 0.1 M solution, a mono - basic acid is 1% ionized. The ionisation constant of the acid is:
a) 1 × 10–3 b) 1 × 10–7 c) 1 × 10–5 d) 1 × 10–14
55. A weak mono acidic base is 5% ionised in 0.01 M solution. The hydroxide ion concentration in the
solution is:
a) 5 × 10–2 b) 5 × 10–4 c) 5 × 10–10 d) 2 × 10–11
56. In 0.01 M solution, HCN is 0.01% ionized. Its Ka is:
a) 10–6 b) 10–10 c) 10–3 d) 0.02
57. Calculate the hydronium ion [H3O+] or simply H+ concentration in a 0.02 M solution of H2S. Ka = 9.1
× 10–8.
a) 1 × 10–8M b) 2 × 10–7M c) 3 × 10–6M d) 4.26 × 10–5M

58. Calculate the [HS–] of a 0.3 M HCl solution that is saturated with H2S at 25°C.
Ka = 9.1 × 10–8. [Hint : H2S concentration is 0.1M at 25°C.]
a) 4 × 10–10M b) 3 × 10–8M c) 2 × 10–6M d) 1 × 10–4M
59. What is the molarity of a hydrocyanic acid solution having a cyanide ion concentration of 1.3 × 10–5
moles/litre. Ka = 7 × 10–10
a) 0.32 M b) 0.24 M c) 0.16 M d) 0.8 M

18. Ionic product of water

Pure water ionises to a very small extent into hydrogen ions (H+) and hydroxyl ions (OH–). So, it acts
both as a weak acid and a weak base. It can accept or lose a proton. The equilibrium state between the
ions and the unionised molecules of water may be represented as,
300 10th Class Chemistry
 
H2O ‡ˆ ˆˆ ˆ†
ˆˆ H  OH
But, the H+ ion gets hydrated to H3O+ by water which acts as a base. Water also acts as an acid also by
losing H+ ion. Hence, the above reaction may be written as
 
H2O  H2O ‡ˆ ˆˆ ˆ†
ˆˆ H3O  OH
base1 acid1 acid2 base2

According to the ‘Law of mass action’, the equilibrium constant (K) for the above equilibrium can be
written as,

H3O  OH 
K  
H2OH2O
The terms in the square brackets are the corresponding molar concentrations at equilibrium. But, in
accordance with the ‘law of mass action’, they are actually the activities of those species. However, in
dilute solutions, the activities are very close to the molar concentrations.
K[H2O]2 = [H3O+] [OH–]
Since, the ionisation of water is very small, the concentration of water can be taken as constant.

Then K '  H2O  K w , where Kw is another constant.

2

or Kw = [H3O+] [OH–] or [H+] [OH–] where ‘Kw’ is called the ionic product of water.
Thus, “The product of hydrogen ion concentration and hydroxyl ion concentration in pure water
or in any aqueous solution is a constant at a constant temperature which is known as ionic
product of water.” Kw value is influenced by temperature only. Its value increases with temperature.
At 25°C, the value of Kw is 1.0 × 10–14 mole2 lit–2
 [H+] [OH–] = 1.0 × 10–14 mole2 lit–2
In pure water and neutral solutions, the molar concentrations of hydrogen ion [H+] and hydroxide ion
[OH–] are equal.

i.e., [H+] = [OH–] = 1.0  1014  1.0  107 mole/litre

[H+] = 1.0 × 10–7 mole/litre

[OH–] = 1.0 × 10–7 mole/litre.
Kw at various temperature
Acids & Bases 301

Temperature (°C) Kw (mole/litre)2

0 0.114 × 10 –14
10 0.295 × 10 –14
20 0.676 × 10 –14
25 (or) 30 1.00 × 10– 14
40 2.71 × 10– 14
50 5.474 × 10 –14
100 5.6 × 10–14

When an acid is added to water, the concentration of H+ ions increases. Similarly, when a base is
added, the concentration of OH– ions increases. The relationship,
Kw = [H+] [OH–] holds good in all aqueous solutions. The relative concentrations may change. To
summarise,
a) In neutral solutions, [H+] = [OH–]
 [H+] = 1 × 10–7M, [OH–] = 1 × 10–7 M
Eg: Aqueous solution of salts of strong acids with strong bases - KCl, NaCl, K2SO4, NaNO3, NaBr,
KI etc., are neutral. Also, aqueous solutions of salts of weak acids with weak bases when the strength
of both are approximately the same, are neutral.
Eg : Ammonium acetate
b) In acidic solutions, [H+] > [OH–]
i.e., [H+] > 1.0 × 10–7 M and [OH–] < 1 × 10–7 M.
Eg : Aqueous solutions of all acids and salts of strong acids with weak bases are acidic.
Acids like HCl, H2SO4, CH3COOH, H3PO4 etc., and salts like CuSO4, FeCl3, NH4Cl etc., give [H+]
concentration greater than 10–7 M in aqueous solutions.
c) In basic solutions, [H+] < [OH–]
i.e., [H+] < 1.0 × 10–7M and [OH–] > 1.0 × 10–7M.
Eg : Aqueous solutions of alkali and alkaline earth metal hydroxides and salts of strong bases with weak
acids are basic. Bases like NaOH, KOH, Ba(OH)2 and salts such as Na2CO3, CH3COONa, NaCN
give [OH–] concentration greater than 10–7 M in aqueous solutions.

H   100 M 10 7 M 10 14 M

 
Acidic Neutral Basic
The degree of acidic or basic nature of a solution can be expressed in terms of hydrogen ion concentration.

Kw 1.0  1014
 H    moles/litre
  OH  OH 
   
 302 10th Class Chemistry

Kw 1.0  1014
Similarly, OH    moles/litre
H  H 
   

[H+] Nature of solution [OH– ]

^
100 A 10–14
10–1 C 10–13
10–2 I 10–12
10–3 D 10–11
10–4 I 10–10
10–5 ^C 10–9
10–6 NEUTRAL 10–8
10–7 10–7
10–8 ^ 10–6
10–9 B 10–5
10–10 A 10–4
10–11 S 10–3
10–12 I 10–2
10–13 C
^ 10–1
10–14 100

Interesting Features of Kw
1. Independent of nature of solution:
Whatever may be the nature of the solution, the product [H+] [OH–] is always constant and it is equal
to 1.0 × 10–14 at 25°C.
2. Independent of concentration of the solution: Value of Kw is same for dilute & concentrated solutions.
3. Dependent only on temperature:
Increase of temperature  Ionisation also increases  [H+] & [OH–] increases
 Kw also increases.

 Kw = [H3O+] [OH–] or [H+] [OH–]  In neutral solutions, [H+] = [OH–]

Warm-up Court

= 1.0 × 10–14 mole2 lit–2 at 25°C In acidic solutions, [H+] > [OH–]
 In pure water and neutral solutions, In basic solutions, [H+] < [OH–]
[H+] = [OH–] = 1 × 10 -14 = 1 × 10 -7 mole/litre
 Kw is Independent of nature of solution
 In pure water and neutral solutions, Kw is independent of [ } of the solution.
[H+] = [OH–] = 1 × 10 -14 = 1 × 10 -7 mole/litre Kw increases with increase of temperature.
Acids & Bases 303

F ormative Worksheet
60. Calculate the hydrogen ion concentration for 0.001 M NaOH aqueous solution.
a) 1  10 14 M b) 1  10 13 M c) 1  10 12 M d) 1  10 11 M
61. The product of the concentration of the H+ ions and OH– ions in pure water is 1 × 10–14 at 25°C. This
is known as ionic product of water and is denoted by Kw. What is the value of Kw in 0.01 M NaOH
solution?
a) 1 × 10–14moles2/litre2 b) 1 × 10–12 moles2/litre2
c) 1 × 10–11 moles2/litre2 d) 1 × 10–10 moles2/litre2
62. The hydronium ion concentration of a solution is 1 × 10–4 M at 25°C. The hydroxide ion concentration
in the same solution is:
a) 1 × 10–14 M b) 1 × 10–7 M c) 1 × 10–10 M d) 1 × 10–4 M
63. In 0.001 M HNO3, OH– ion concentration is:
a) 1 × 10–3M b) 1 × 10–11M c) 1 × 10–14M d) 1 × 10–13M
64. At 25°C what is the concentration of OH– ions in 0.01 M HCl solution?
a) 10–12 M b) 10–11 M c) 10–10 M d) 10–9 M
65. i) If we add a few drops of HCl to water which furnishes extra H+ ions, what happens to Kw?
ii) Similarly, add a few drops of NaOH to water which furnishes extra OH– ions to pure water. What
happens to Kw?
i ii
a) increases decreases
b) decreases increases
c) remains constant remains constant
d) none none
66. Dilute acids have less concentration of H ions and concentrated acids have more concentration of H+
+

ions. What are Kw values for dilute and concentrated acids?

C onceptive Worksheet
60. Assertion (A) : The dimensions of Kw are mol2 L–2.
Reason (R) : Kw is a product of two concentration terms.
a) Both assertion and reason are correct and reason is the correct explanation of assertion.
b) Both assertion and reason are correct but reason is not the correct explanation of assertion.
c) Assertion is correct and reason is incorrect.
d) Assertion is incorrect and reason is correct.
 304 10th Class Chemistry
61. The ionic product of water changes when:
a) An acid is added to it
b) A base is added to it
c) Either a base or an acid is added to it
d) Temperature is changed
62. Which of the following is not true for acidic solutions at room temperature?

a) H   OH  b) H   10 7 M c) H   10 7 M d) OH   10 7

63. If HCl is added to pure water at 25ºC, the ionic product of water will be
a) > 10–14moles2/litre2 b) < 10–14 moles2/litre2
c) 10–14 moles2/litre2 d) > 10–10 moles2/litre2
64. If the ionic product of water is 1.96 × 10–14 at 35°C, what is its value at 10°C?
a) 1.96 × 10–14 b) 3.92 × 10–14 c) 2.95 × 10–15 d) 1.96 × 10–13
65. K w is greater for a strong acid compared to a weak acid. T/F. Support your answer.
66. Kw of 0.001 M H2SO4 solution is smaller than 1M H2SO4 solution at same temperature. T/F. Support
your answer.

19. Concept of pH
We have seen that the nature of a solution can be determined based on Hydrogen ion concentration.
This method is a little cumbersome as the exponents of [H+], [OH–] are negative. This can be done by
a simple scale called the pH scale. This scale helps us to identify the nature of a solution in terms of
simple numbers. It also helps us to know the acidic and basic strength of any solution. This scale was
introduced by S.P.L Sorenson, a Danish biochemist. He used a new term pH (small ‘p’, capital ‘H’).
‘H’ stands for hydrogen ion and the ‘p’ for ‘puissance’ (French), ‘potency’ (German) and power
(English) to express the hydrogen ion concentration.
(i) pH of a solution can be defined as the negative logarithm of its H + ion concentration.
pH = – log[H+]
(ii) The pH of a solution is also defined as the logarithm of the reciprocal of H + ion
concentration.

1
pH = log
H+ 

If [H+] = 10–m M, then

Acids & Bases 305

pH = – log [H+] = – log 10–m = [–(–m)] = m Q log a a  n 

n

(i) Similarly, pOH of a solution can be defined as the negative logarithm of its OH– ion
concentration.
pOH = – log[OH–]
(ii) The pOH of a solution is also defined as the logarithm of the r ecipr ocal of OH – ion
concentration.

1
pOH = log
OH 

Note : pH + pOH = 14
Proof :
Kw = [H+] [OH–]
Taking logarithms on both the sides, we have
log Kw = log [H+] + [OH–]

log (10–14) = log [H+] + log[OH–] Q K w  1014 at 25C 

–14 = log [H+] + log [OH–] Q log a a  n  n 

14 = – log [H+] – log [OH–] = (–log[H+]) + (–log[OH–]) = pH + pOH

(Q –log[H+] = pH ; – log [OH–] = pOH)
 pH + pOH = 14 at 25°C
So, the sum of pH and pOH of any solution is always equal to 14 at 25°C.
Comparison between Kw and pH + pOH
Kw pH + pOH
1) Independent of the 1) Independent of the
concentration of the concentration of the solution.
solution.
2) Increases with an increase 2) Decreases with an increase in
in temperature. temperature.
3) Independent of the nature 3) Independent of the nature of
of solution. solution.

pH range for common fluids

306 10th Class Chemistry
Substances pH range
Substances pH range
1) Gastric juice 1.0 - 3.0
10) Milk 6.3 - 6.6
2) Blood (human) 7.3 - 7.5
11) Tomato 4.0
3) Sea water 8.5
12) Black coffee 5.0
4) Saliva (human) 6.5 - 7.5
13) Milk of magnesia 10.5
5) Tears 7.4
14) Apples 2.9 - 3.3
6) Urine (human) 4.8 – 8.4 15) Vinegar 2.4 - 3.4
7) Rain water 6.0 16) Soda water Less than 7.0
8) Soft drinks 2.0 – 4.0 17) Small intestine
Approx 8.0
(human)
9) Lemons 2.2 – 2.4

Nature of solution and pH range

The acidity and basicity of a solution can be expressed interms of [H+] ion concentration, its [OH–] ion
concentration (or) its pH.

[H+] Nature of solution pH

100 A
0
C
10–1 1
10–2 I
2
10–3 D 3
10–4 I
4
10–5 C
5
10–6 6
10–7 N E U T R A L 7
>
>

10–8 B 8
10–9 A 9
10–10 S 10
10–11 I 11
10–12 C 12
10–13 13
10–14 14
Acids & Bases 307

a) If pH < 7, the solution is acidic. Also, if the range of pH is

(i) 0 to 3.5, the solution is a strong acid
(ii) 3.5 to 7, the solution is a weak acid.
b) If pH = 7, the solution is neutral.
c) If pH > 7, the solution is basic. Also, if the range of pH is
(i) 7 to 10.5, the solution is a weak base.
(ii) 10.5 to 14, the solution is a strong base.

pH = 0 
Acidic
 7 
Basic
14
Neutral

Effect of temperature on pH: Increasing temperature decreases the pH of the aqueous solution.
Effect of concentration: If [H+] concentration increases by 10 times pH decreases by 1 unit and if
[H+] concentration decreases by 10 times, the pH increases by 1 unit.
In general, if the changing factor of [H+] is ‘m’, the change in units of pH is log10 m.
In general, if pH changes by ‘p’ units, then changing factor of [H +] is 10p.
Importance of pH:
a) pH control is essential for optimum growth of plants.
b) Biological processes takes place at optimum pH.
c) Many industrial processes require control of pH.
d) Medicinal preparation such as injections, syrups require control of pH for further stability.

pH = – log[H+] and pOH = – log[OH–] pH 1/temperature

Warm-up Court

pH + pOH = 14 at 25°C pH 1/concentration

pH <7 : Acidic solution In general, if the changing factor of

pH is 0 to 3.5 : Strong acid [H+] is ‘m’, the change in units of pH is
pH is 3.5 to 7 : Weak acid log10 m.
pH =7 : Neutral
pH >7 : Basic solution In general, if pH changes by ‘p’ units,
pH is 7 to 10.5 : Weak base then changing factor of [H+] is 10p.
pH is 10.5 to 14 : Strong base
 308 10th Class Chemistry

F ormative Worksheet
67. Given [H+], find the pH, pOH in the following cases:
i) 10–6 ii) 10–m iii) 0.00001M
i ii iii
pH, pOH pH, pOH pH, pOH
a) 6 8 m 14–m 5 9
b) 8 6 14–m m 9 5
c) 7 7 14–2m 2m 7 7
d) 9 5 14–m m 6 8
68. Find [H+], if i) pH = 4.2 ii) pH = 5.6
i ii
a) 8.3 × 10–8M 4.6 × 10–8M
b) 7.6 × 10–6M 3.7 × 10–7M
c) 6.3 × 10–5M 2.5 × 10–6M
d) 5.6 × 10–4M 1.8 × 10–5M
69. Calculate the pH of 0.001 M HNO3. Find the hydroxyl ion concentration of the same solution.
pH [OH–]
a) 0 10–14 M
b) 1 10–13 M
c) 2 10–12 M
d) 3 10–11 M
70. Find the [H+], [OH–] when, i) pH = 1 ii) pH = m
i i
[H+], [OH–] [H+], [OH–]
a) 10–1M 10–13M 10–mM 10–14+mM
b) 10–13M 10–1M 10–14+mM 10–mM
c) 10–12M 10–2M 10–14+2mM 10–2mM
d) 10–2M 10–12M 10–2mM 10–14+2mM
71. [H+] of a solution is of the form of x × 10–x mole/litre where x is not known. For what value of x is the
pH of the solution will be 1?
a) 4 b) 3 c) 2 d) 1
Acids & Bases 309
72. Calculate the pH of the mixture made up of equal volumes of N/10 NaOH and N/20 HCl. (Assume
complete dissociation of electrolytes).
a) 13.6990 b) 12.3979 c) 11.3010 d) 10.6021

C onceptive Worksheet
67. On boiling a certain H2SO4 solution, its concentration doubles. What change is observed in the pH?

a) Decreases by log 2 units b) Increases by log 2 units

c) Remains constant d) None
68. Calculate the hydrogen ion concentration of a solution whose pH is 5.4.
a) 6 ×10–8 M b) 5 ×10–7 M c) 4 ×10–6 M d) 3 ×10–5 M
69. 1000–fold increase in [H+] leads to _________ of pH by __________ units.
a) Increase, 3 units b) No change, 0
c) Decrease, 3 units d) None
70. Calculate the pH of a solution containing 4 g of Sodium Hydroxide in 10 litres.
a) 14 b) 13 c) 12 d) 11
71. Calculate the pH of a solution containing 4g of sodium hydroxide in 500 ml.
a) 13.3010 b) 12.6990 c) 11.3979 d) 10.6021
72. How many litres of water has evaporated on concentrating 10 litres of H2SO4 such that its pH decreases
from 6 to 5?
a) 6 litres b) 7 litres c) 8 litres d) 9 litres

20. Calculation of pH for mixture of solutions

Case - I:
When a mixture of strong acids is present in the aqueous solution: Then the normality (N) of the mixture
  V1N1  V2N2  
of acids =   where V and N are the volume and normality of the first acid, and V
  V1  V2   1 1 2

and N2 are those of the second acid.

[H+] in the mixed solution = Normality of the mixed solution = N

  V1N1  V2N2  
 pH = – log (N) = – log  
  V1  V2  
310 10th Class Chemistry
Case - II:
When strong alkalies are mixed to calculate the pH or pOH of the mixed solution:
The normality of the mixture of the strong bases is given by

  V1N1  V2N2  
N=   where V , N are volume and normality of the first solution and V , N are the
  V1  V2   1 1 2 2

values for the second solution.

  V1N1  V2N2  
 pOH = – log (N) = – log  
  V1  V2  

and pH + pOH = 14.0 at room temperature

 pH = (14.0 – pOH)
Case - III:
(i) When a strong acid and a base are mixed, to calculate the pH of a mixed solution.
The normality of the mixture of the strong acid and a strong base is given by

  VA N A  VB NB  
(N) =  .
  VA  VB  

If the VANA > VBNB and where VA, NA are volume and normality of strong acid, VB, NB
are volume and normality of strong base.
Then [H+] = normality of the mixed solution = N

  VA N A  VB NB  
 pH = – log [H+] = – log (N) = – log  
  VA  VB  

(ii) The normality of the mixture of the strong acid and a strong base mixture is given by N
  VB NB  VA N A  
=  
  VA  VB  

if VBNB > VANA and VA, NA, VB and NB have the same significance.
Then [OH–]= normality of the mixed solution (N)

  VB NB  VA N A  
 pOH = – log [OH–]= – log (N) = – log  
  VA  VB  

and pH + pOH = 14.0

 pH = (14.0 – pOH)
Acids & Bases 311

F ormative Worksheet

73. The pH of a mixture of 100ml of 0.5 NH4Cl and 100ml of 0.6 N NaOH solution is:
a) 10.5 b) 1.3 c) 12.7 d) 4.7
74. Equal volumes of 0.02M HCl and 0.04 M -NaOH solutions are mixed. The pH of the mixture is:
a) 10 b) 2 c) 7 d) 12
75. A certain volume of 0.001 N-NaOH solution is diluted with 900ml of water. The decrease in pH of the
solution is one unit. The original volume of the solution is:
a) 1ml b) 10ml. c) 100ml d) 1000ml
76. If pH of solution of NaOH is 12.0 the pH of H2SO4 solution of same molarity will be
a) 2.0 b) 12.0 c) 1.7 d) 10.0

C onceptive Worksheet
73. When 50ml of 0.1 M- NaOH and 50ml of 0.1 M- H2SO4 solutions are mixed, the nature of resulting
solution is:
a) Neutral b) Acidic c) Basic d) Amphoteric
74. 8 gram of NaOH is mixed with 9.8 gram of H2SO4 in liter of solution the pH of the solution is:
a) more than 7 b) 7 c) less than 7 d) can’t be said
75. The pH 0.1 M NaCl solution at 250C is:
a) 1 b) 13 c) 7 d) zero
76. When 1ml of 0.1 N-HCI is added to 1 litre of a solution of pH value 4, the pH will be nearly:
a) 5 b) 4.477 c) 3 d) 3.7

21. Calculation of pH of weak acid

Consider the weak acid HA. It ionises slightly in aqueous solution.
 
HA  H2O ‡ˆ ˆˆ ˆ†
ˆˆ H3 O  A

H3 O   A  
Ka      where K is the dissociation constant of weak acid.
HA  a
312 10th Class Chemistry
If C is the molar concentration of the weak acid and  is the fraction of the acid dissociated, then the
equilibrium concentrations are,
 
HA  H2O ‡ˆ ˆˆ ˆ†
ˆˆ H3 O  A
Initial C

Equilibrium 1    C C C

C  C 2C
 Ka  
1    C 1  
This is known as Ostwald’s dilution law.
Since ‘  ’ is very small for weak acids, it can be ignored compared to 1.

 K a   2C

½
K 
 a
 C 

½
H   C   a   C  K½
K
 Ka C 
½ ½
  a C
 C 

1
log H   log K a  log C
2

1 1
pH   log H    log K a  log C  pK a  log C
2 2
when pKa = – log Ka

1 1
Hence pH of a weak acid  pK a  log C
2 2

22. Calculation of pH of weak base

Consider a weak base MOH. It ionises slightly in aqueous solution.

ˆˆ M  aq   OH
 
MOH  H2O ‡ˆ ˆˆ ˆ†

M  OH 
 Kb     
where Kb is the dissociation constant of weak base.
 MOH 
If C is the molar concentration of the weak base and  is the fraction of the base dissociated, then the
equilibrium concentration are
Acids & Bases 313
ˆˆ M  aq   OH
 
MOH  H2O ‡ˆ ˆˆ ˆ†

Initial C

Equilibrium 1    C C C

C  C 2C
 Kb  
1    C 1   (Ostwald’s dilution law)
Since  is very small for weak bases, it can be ignored in the denominator

 K b   2C

½ ½
OH   C   b   C   K b C ½
 Kb  K
Hence      
 C   C 
pOH = – log [OH–] = – log (KbC)½
1 1 1
  log K b  log C    log K b  log C  pK b  log C
2 2 2
where pKb = – log Kb
1 1 1
Since pH = 14 – pOH  14   pK b  log C  pK w  pK b  log C
2 2 2

 pK w  
  log K w   log 1014  14 
1 1
Hence, pH of a weak base  pK w  pK b  log C
2 2

Warm-up Court
1 1
 pH of a weak acid = pK a _ log C
2 2
1 1 1
 pH of a weak base = 14  pKb  logC  = pK w  pKb + logC = pK w  1 pKb + 1 logC
2 2 2 2 2

F ormative Worksheet
77. 1 cc of 0.1 M HCl is added to 1 litre of 0.1 M-NaCl solution. The pH of the resulting solution will be:
a) 7 b) 1 c) 3 d) 4
78. The pH of a solution at 25° C is 2. If its pH is to be changed to 4, then conc. of H+ of the original has
to be:
a) Doubled b) Halved
c) Increased by 100 times d) Decreased by 100 times
 314 10th Class Chemistry
79. What happens when the following components are added to water?
i) 1 mole of HCl and 1 mole of NaOH ii) 1 g of HCl and 1 g of NaOH
i ii
a) Solution is neutral Solution is acidic
b) Solution is acidic Solution is basic
c) Solution is basic Solution is acidic
d) Solution is neutral Solution is neutral
80. Water is added to 1 litre solution of 10–6M HCl. The final volume becomes 100 litres. Find the pH of
the resulting solution.
a) 6.96 b) 7.50 c) 8.69 d) 9.50
81. 100 ml of a solution of HCl with pH value 3 is diluted with 400 ml of water. The new pH of the solution
is:
a) 3.7 b) 5.3 c) 4.24. d) 6
82. The pH of a mono - acidic base is 12.6990. The molarity of the base is:
a) 0.02 moles/litre b) 0.05 moles/litre
c) 0.5 moles/litre d) 0.2 moles/litre

C onceptive Worksheet

77. If one litre of water is added to one litre of a solution of pH = 7, its pH will be
a) 6.699 b) 7.3010 c) 6.3010 d) 7
78. When 50ml of 0.1 M - NaOH and 50ml of 0.1 M - H2SO4 solutions are mixed, the nature of resulting
solution is :
a) Neutral b) Acidic c) Basic d) Amphoteric
79. If the pH of a monobasic acid solution is 2 the normality of (H+)
a) 0.01 b) 0.1 c) 0.2 d) 0.02
80. 0.1 M HCl solution is diluted by 100 times The pH of the solution formed is:
a) 3 b) 2 c) 4 d) 6
81. 8 gram of NaOH is mixed with 9.8 gram of H2SO4 in litre of solution. The pH of the solution is:
a) more than 7 b) 7 c) less than 7 d) can’t be said
82. The pH of a 10–8 M HCl solution is approximately
a) 8 b) 6.96 c) 9 d) 14
Acids & Bases 315

23. Classification of salts based on their solubilities

Ionic solutions have different solubilities (concentration), which depend on their lattice energy and
hydration energy, at a particular temperature. Based on this, we can classify them into three categories.
They are:
Soluble solutes : Solids having solubility greater than 0.1 M.
Slightly soluble solutes: Solutes having solubility between 0.01 and 0.1 M .
Sparingly soluble solutes: Solutes having solubility less than 0.01 M.
From the above, it is clear that the amount of sparingly soluble salt in their saturated solution contains
very less amount of it, as their solubilities are less than 0.01 M.
Eg: Barium Sulphate, Silver chloride, etc.
At the same temperature, as different salts have different solubilites, it is difficult to know, whether a
solution is saturated or not and how much of solute has to be dissolved to get a saturated solution. But,
we can know this by using a concept known as solubility product. In addition to this, we can obtain
much more information related to the solution like precipitation of salts, etc., just by using the concept
of solubility product.

24. Constant solubility product

We know that, in a saturated solution, there exists a dynamic equilibrium between the solute in dissociated
phase and the solute in undissociated phase.
Undissociated solute ‡ˆ ˆˆ ˆ†
ˆˆ Dissociated solute

For example, in aqueous solution of silver chloride, equilibrium exists as:

AgCl(s) ‡ˆ ˆˆ ˆ†
ˆˆ Ag+(aq) + Cl–(aq)

 Ag   Cl  
By applying law of chemical equilibrium, K    
 AgCl 
Let us consider the concentration of undissolved salt [AgCl], at a particular temperature, as k. Now,
we can write the equation as

 Ag   Cl  
K    K.k   Ag   Cl    constant
  
k
From the above equation, K.k is constant for a given saturated solution at a given temperature and is
called solubility product constant. It is represented by Ksp. Thus, the above equation can be written as
Ksp = [Ag+] [Cl–]
 316 10th Class Chemistry
Thus, Ksp is product of concentration of ions of a sparingly soluble solute in its saturated solution.
Let us write Ksp relation for some of the sparingly soluble solutes.
Original State Equilibrium Condition Solubility product Constant (Ksp)
ZnS ZnS ƒ Zn2
S2
K sp  Zn2  S2  
PbCl 2 PbCl 2 ƒ Pb2  2Cl  2
K sp  Pb2  Cl 
Mg(OH)2 Mg  OH 2 ƒ Mg 2  2OH
2
K s p  Mg 2  OH 
Ca3(PO4) 2 Ca 3  PO4  2 ƒ 3Ca 2  2PO34  3
K sp   Ca 2  PO43  
2

Fe(OH)3 Fe  OH 3 ƒ Fe3  3OH K sp   Fe3  OH  

3

In general, for a sparingly soluble salt AxB y, which dissociates to set up equilibrium:
y x
A x By ˆ‡ ˆˆ ˆ†
ˆˆ xA  yB
Solubility product constant may be expressed as: K sp = [A y+] x × [Bx–]y where A y+ and Bx– represent the
positive and negative ions (cations and anions) respectively and the powers x and y represent the
number of these ions in the formula of the electrolyte.

The solubility product of a sparingly soluble salt at a given temperature may be defined as the product
of the molar concentration of its ions, each raised to the power equal to its number of ions present in the
equation, representing the dissociation of one mole of salt.
Applications of solubility product constant:
1. To calculate the solubility of the solute:
We can calculate the solubility by knowing solubility product of a sparingly soluble salt at that particular
temperature.
Before we understand it in detail, let us try to find the solubility product constant of a salt MxNy whose
solubility is ‘s’ moles/litre.

Mx N y  xM y  yN x —————— (1)

x y
 K sp  M y   N x  ——————(2)

From (2) it is clear that, to find Ksp we need to know the concentration of each of the ions present. Let
us find the same.
From (1) it is clear that,
1 mole MxNy  ‘x’ moles of M+y and ‘y’ moles of N–x

If [MxNy]  ‘s’ moles/litre, then [M+y] = ‘xs’ moles/ litre and [N–x] = ‘ys’ moles/litre
Where ‘x’ and ‘y’ are the number of resulting ions respectively. Substituting the values in (2), we get

K sp   xs    ys   x x  y y  s x  y
x y

Thus, if Ksp of a salt is known, its solubility can be found out.

Acids & Bases 317
Let us find Ksp for NaCl, MgCl2, AlCl3 assuming that the solubility of each of the salt is ‘s’ moles/litre.

Salt Equilibrium state Value of x Value of y K sp = x x × yx × s x+y

NaCl NaCl ƒ Na   Cl 1 1 K sp  11  11  s11  s 2

MgCl2 MgCl2 ƒ Mg  2  2Cl  1 2 K sp  11  22  s1 2  4s3

AlCl 3 AlCl3 ƒ Al 3  3Cl 1 3 Ksp  11  33  s1 3  27s 4

Expressions correlating Ksp and solubility (in mol L–1) of some common types of salts are listed below:

Type of Relationship between

Examples
the salt Ksp and s
AB Ksp = (s)(s) = s2 AlPO4, AgCl, AgBr, PbSO4, BaSO 4, ZnS
2 3
AB2 Ksp = (s)(2s) = 4s PbCl2 , HgCl2
2 3
A 2B Ksp = (2s) (s) = 4s Ag2CrO 4, Ag2C2O4 , Ag2SO 4
3 4
AB3 Ksp = (s)(3s) = 27s Fe(OH) 3, Al(OH)3, Cr(OH)3
A 3B2 Ksp = (3s)3 (2s) 2 = 108s5 Ca3(PO4)2, Zn3(PO4 )2
3 4 7
A 3B4 Ksp = (3s) (4s) = 6912s Zr 3(PO 4)4

2. To predict the precipitation of a salt:

The concept of solubility product helps us to predict whether a salt will precipitate or not on mixing the
solutions containing ions under particular conditions. In the solution, the ionic product (KIP), i.e.,
product of concentration of the ions of the salt (raised to appropriate powers) cannot exceed
the value of its solubility product because solubility product is the highest limit of ionic product at a
particular temperature. Thus, if the ionic product exceeds solubility product, excess ions combine with
each other to form precipitate of the salt. So in order to predict whether a salt will precipitate or not,
ionic product of the salt is calculated. If it exceeds the value of solubility product, the salt will be
precipitated, otherwise not. Thus, it can be concluded that precipitation occurs if ionic product is
greater than Ksp and no precipitation occurs if ionic product is less than Ksp.
It is to be noted that the relative values of KIP and Ksp also help in identifying the nature of solution.

Relation between KIP & Ksp Nature of solution

K sp > K IP Unsaturated
K sp = K IP Saturated
K sp < K IP (condition for precipitation) Supersaturated
 318 10th Class Chemistry
3. In qualitative Analysis. (Mixture Analysis).
Precipitation of Sulphides: The sulphides of IIA group cations have very low Ksp value. While sulphides
of IVA group cations have relatively high Ksp values. If S–– concentration is high, than sulphides of IVA
group cations also precipitate in the IIA group. In order to check this, the solution is acidified with HCl
before passing H2S in the IlA group.
 
H2S ‡ˆ ˆˆ ˆ†
ˆˆ 2H  S

 
HCl ‡ˆ ˆˆ ˆ†
ˆˆ H  Cl

The presence of HCl supresses the dissociation of H2S due to the common ion effect of H+ and keeps
S–– concentration low. The ionic products of sulphides of IIA group cations exceed their Ksp values but
not those of IVA group, so sulphides of only IIA group cations precipitates.
Precipitation of Hydroxides.
The hydroxides of IIIA group cations Al3+, Cr3+ and Fe3+ have low Ksp values while hydroxides of
cations of subsequent groups have high Ksp values.
If OH– concentration is high, then hydroxide of subsequent group cation also precipitate in the IIIA
group. In order to check this, NH4Cl is added before adding NH4OH in the IIIA group.
 
NH4OH ‡ˆ ˆˆ ˆ†
ˆˆ NH4  OH

 
NH4Cl ‡ˆ ˆˆ ˆ†
ˆˆ NH4  Cl

The presence of NH4Cl supresses the dissociation of NH4OH due to the common ion effect of NH4
and keeps OH– concentration low.
The ionic products of hydroxide of III group cations exceed their Ksp values but not those of subsequent
groups.
So hydroxides of only IIIA group precipitates.
Preparation of Pure NaCl from Common Salt
A saturated solution of common salt is prepared in water. The suspended impurities are removed by
filteration, HCl is gas is then passed.

NaCls   NaCl  aq. ‡ˆ ˆˆ ˆ†  

ˆˆ Na  aq.  Cl  aq.

ˆˆ H  aq.  Cl  aq.
 
HCls  ‡ˆ ˆˆ ˆ†

[Na+] concentration is very low.

[Cl–] concentration rises. The product [Na+] [Cl–] exeeds Ksp of NaCl. So preceipitation of NaCl
takes place. The soluble impurities remain in the solution.
Salting out of Soap
Acids & Bases 319
Soaps are Na+ or Ksp salt of long chain fatty acid. They are obtained by the hydrolysis of oils or fats
with alkali solution.

CH2OCOR CH2OH
CHOCOR + 3NaOH CHOH + 3RCOONa (Soap)
CH2OCOR (Oil or Fat CH2OH
(Glycerol)

In order to precipitate soap from solution common salt is added.

 
RCOONa s  ‡ˆ ˆˆ ˆ†
ˆˆ RCOONa  aq. ‡ˆ ˆˆ ˆ†
ˆˆ RCOO  aq.  Na  aq.

Na+ concentration rises. The product [RCOO–] [Na+] exceeds Ksp of soaps. So precipitation of soap
takes place.

Common-ion effect on solubility

The common ion presence in the solution decrease the solubility of a given compound e.g. The solubility
of BaSO4 in Na2SO4 solution is smaller than that in an aqueous solution.

Consider saturated solution of AgCl. If a salt having either of the ion common to AgCl say KCl is
added to it, then

 
AgCl g   aq. ‡ˆ ˆˆ ˆ†
ˆˆ Ag  Cl

KCl  aq.  K   Cl 

For AgCl K sp   Ag   Cl  

[Cl–] increases in solution due to presence of KCl and thus to have Ksp constant, [Ag+] will decrease or
AgCl will precipitate out from solution, i.e., solubility of AgCl will decrease with increasing concentration
of KCl in solution.

Let 0.1 M KCl(aq.) solution with AgCl(aq.). If solubility of AgCl is ‘s’ mol litre–1, then,

ForAgCl Ksp = [Ag+][Cl–]

Ksp = s(s + 0.1)

‘s’ being small in comparison to 0.1 and thus may be neglected therefore,

K sp
Ksp = s × 0.1 or SAgCl 
0.1
 320 10th Class Chemistry
where s is solubility of AgCl in presence of 0.1 M KClaq..

x
 In general, A x B y ‡ˆ ˆˆ ˆ† y+
ˆˆ xA + yB
Ksp = [Ay+]x × [Bx–]y ; Ay+ and Bx– represent the positive and negative ions (cations
and anions) respectively and the powers x and y represent the number of these ions
in the formula of the electrolyte.
Warm-up Court

K sp =  xs  ×  ys = x x × y y × s x+y
x y
 If the solubility a salt MxNy is ‘s’ moles/litre, then
 Relation between KIP & Ksp Nature of solution
Ksp > KIP Unsaturated
Ksp = KIP Saturated
Ksp < KIP (condition for precipitation) Supersaturated
 In qualitative analysis, solubility product is helpful
o in prediction of precipitation of sulphides and hydroxides .
o in preparation of pure NaCl from common salt.
o in salting out soap.
o in predicting the solubility of a salt in a solution containing common ion.

F ormative Worksheet
83. Solubility product of BaSO4 is 1 × 10–6 moles2 lit2. What is the solubility of BaSO4?
a) 10–6 M b) 10–5 M c) 10–4 M d) 10–3 M
84. The solubility product of Mg (OH)2 at 25° C is 1.4 × 10–11. What is the solubility of Mg(OH)2 in gram
per litre?
a) 0.0087 g/litre b) 0.0074 g/litre c) 0.0068 g/litre d) 0.0056 g/litre
85. Calculate the solubility of AgCl(s) in

(i) Pure water. (ii) 0.1 M NaCl at 25° C. K sp  AgCl  = 2.8×1010

i ii
a) 4.87 × 10–8 M 5.6 × 10–12M
b) 3.62 × 10–7 M 4.2 × 10–11M
c) 2.68 × 10–6 M 3.6 × 10–10M
d) 1.67 × 10–5 M 2.8 × 10–9M
86. The solubility product of BaSO4 is 1.5 × 10–9. Find out its solubility in
i) pure water and ii) 0.1 M BaCl2.
i ii
a) 4.62 × 10–6 M 2.62 × 10–9M
b) 3.87 × 10–5 M 1.5 × 10–8M
c) 2.54 × 10–4 M 0.86 × 10–7M
d) 1.67 × 10–3 M 0.54 × 10–6M
Acids & Bases 321
87. The solubility product of AgCl in water is 1.5 × 10–10. Calculate its solubility in 0.01M NaCl aqueous
solution.
a) 4.5 × 10–6 M b) 2.6 × 10–7 M c) 1.5 × 10–8 M d) 0.75 × 10–9 M

C onceptive Worksheet
83. Some amount of KCl solution was left in a flask. Several weeks passed and a precipitate was formed
in the flask. The solution over the precipitate is:
a) Dilute b) Super saturated c) Saturated d) Un saturated
84. Identify the true and false statements.
i) If two salts have equal solubility, their solubility products are equal.
ii) BaSO4 is more soluble in water than in dilute H2SO4.
iii) The solubility of a sparingly soluble salt is decreased by the addition of a solute containing
a common ion.
iv) If KI is added to a saturated solution of PbI2, the concentration of Pb+2 ions in the
solution decreases.
i ii iii iv
a) T F F F
b) T F T F
c) F T T T
d) F T F T
85. Solubility product of calcium fluoride, of solubility X is:
a) 4X2 b) 4X3 c) X2 d) X3
86. The number of moles of the substance dissolved in one litre of solution is known as solubility. If solubility
of Ag2CO3 is S moles/litre, the valid expression for the solubility product of Ag2CO3 is_____.

a) 4s2 b) 4s3 c) 2s2 d) 2s3

87. A sample of AgCl was treated with 1.5 M Na2CO3 solution to give Ag2CO3. The remaining solution
contained 0.0026 g of Cl– per litre. Calculate the solubility product of AgCl [Ksp of Ag2CO3 = 8.2 ×
10–2]
a) 3.24 × 10–12 M b) 2.36 × 10–11 M c) 1.71 × 10–10 M d) 0.98 × 10–9 M
322 10th Class Chemistry

25. Hydrolysis of Salts

The process in which the anion or/and cation of a salt in aqueous solution reacts with water to produce
H 3O+ or/and OH– ions is called salt hydrolysis.
Salts are formed by the neutralisation of an acid with a base. The salts ionise in their aqueous
solutions. The hydrolysis process is a reverse reaction of neutralisation. Depending on the strength of
reacting acids and bases, the salts can be divided into four types.
Salts of weak acid and strong base
Sodium acetate (CH3COONa), formed from acetic acid and sodium hydroxide is an example. In
water, it ionises to give Na+ and CH3COO– ions. Acetate ion being a conjugate base of a weak acid is
a strong base. So, it takes up a proton from H2O to form acetic acid and produces OH– ions. Hence,
its aqueous solution is basic i.e., its pH lies above 7. The solution turns red litmus blue.

CH3COO  H2O ‡ˆ ˆˆ ˆ†
ˆˆ CH3COOH  OH


Applying the Law of mass action to the above equilibrium,

CH3COOH OH  CH3COOH OH 

The equilibrium constant, K 
CH3COO  H2O
or K  2 
H O  ----(1)
   CH COO

 3 

As H2O is in excess, [H2O] is constant and K [H2O] = Kh, another constant Kh is called ‘hydrolysis
constant’ of the salt.

CH3COO  H 
The dissociation constant of acetic acid is K a      & K  H  OH 
  
CH3COOH w

on dividing Kw with Ka,

K w OH  CH3COOH


 –––––––––––(2)
Ka CH3COO 
 

From (1) and (2) we have,

Kw
 Kh 
Ka

From the values of Kw and Ka, Kh can be calculated.

The extent of hydrolysis of a salt depends on its anion’s strength. Weaker the acid (K a is smaller),
stronger is its anion and greater is its hydrolysis.
Acids & Bases 323

Other examples of this type of salts are sodium carbonate, potassium carbonate, potassium formate
(HCOOK) etc.
Salts of weak base and strong acid

 Ammonium chloride, a salt of ammonia (weak base) and HCl (strong acid), gives NH4 and Cl– ions in
water. NH4 is a conjugate acid of a weak base and hence stronger. It undergoes hydrolysis to give
H3O+ ions.

NH4  H2O ‡ˆ ˆˆ ˆ†
ˆˆ NH3  H3O


The Cl– ion being a conjugate base of strong acid is weak and its hydrolysis is negligible. As H3O+ ions
are present, the solution is acidic i.e., pH is less than 7 and turns blue litmus red.
The equilibrium constant for the above reaction is:

NH3  H3O 
K
NH4  H2O
 

Since [H2O] is constant, K[H2O] = Kh, the hydrolysis constant.

NH3  H3O 
 Kh  ––––––––(1)
NH4 
 

The dissociation constant, Kb of ammonia of the reaction

ˆˆ NH4  OH is
 
NH3  H2O ‡ˆ ˆˆ ˆ†

NH4  OH 
Kb     & K  H O  OH 
 3  
NH3  w

K w NH3  H3O 


 ––––––––(2)
Kb NH4 
 

Kw
From (1) and (2), we have K h 
Kb

Other examples of this type of salts are MgCl2, FeCl3, Ca(NO3)2, Al2(SO4)3 etc.
Salts of weak base and weak acid
Ammonium acetate is a salt of acetic acid (weak acid) and ammonia (weak base). Since both acid and
base are weak their conjugates CH3COO– and NH4 are strong. Hence, both of them undergo hydrolysis
in aqueous solution.
324 10th Class Chemistry

CH3COO  H2O ‡ˆ ˆˆ ˆ†
ˆˆ CH3COOH  OH


NH4  H2O ‡ˆ ˆˆ ˆ†
ˆˆ NH3  H3O


The nature of the solution depends on the relative strengths of the weak acid and the weak base.
Combining the above equilibria we get

CH3COO  NH4 ‡ˆ ˆˆ ˆ†
ˆˆ CH3 COOH  NH3

CH3COOHNH3 
and K h 
CH3COO  NH4 
  

CH3COO  H 
As we know for CH3COOH ‡ˆ ˆˆ ˆ† CH COO 
 H 
,K      , for
ˆˆ 3 a
CH3COOH

NH4  OH 
NH3  H2O ‡ˆ ˆˆ ˆ† NH
 OH 
,K     and K  H  OH 
ˆˆ   
4 b
NH3  w

We can show that, K h 

Kw

NH3 CH3COOH
K a K b NH4  CH3COO 
  

The solution may be

i) neutral if Ka = Kb ii) acidic, if Ka > Kb
iii) basic, if Ka < Kb.
Other examples of this type of salts include calcium acetate (CH3COO)2Ca; Ammonium carbonate,
CuCO3, Calcium oxalate (CaC2O4) etc.
Salts of strong acid and strong base
NaCl is a salt of HCl (strong acid) and sodium hydroxide (strong base). As both acid and base are
strong their conjugates Cl– and Na+ are weak. Hence, their hydrolysis is negligible and the solution
remains neutral (pH = 7).
Examples : Chlorides, sulphates and nitrates of alkali metals (Na, k etc)
Acids & Bases 325
Warm-up Court
Kw
 The hydrolysis constant for a salt of a weak acid and strong base = K h =
Ka
Kw
 The hydrolysis constant for a salt of a weak base and strong acid = K h =
Kb
Kw
 The hydrolysis constant for a salt of a weak base and weak acid = K h =
Ka × K b
 The hydrolysis of a salt of strong acid and strong base is negligible and the solution remains
neutral.
 The solution may be: i) neutral if Ka = Kb. ii) acidic if Ka > Kb. iii) basic, if Ka < Kb.

F ormative Worksheet
88. The pH of a salt solution is 10. The salt is:
a) NH4Cl b) NaCl c) K2CO3 d) HCOONH4
89. Aqueous solution of a salt obtained from weak acid (Ka = 4 × 10–8) and weak base
(Kb = 9 × 10–10) is:
a) Acidic b) Basic c) Neutral d) Weakly basic
90. Match the items in set - 1 with those in set - 2
Set - 1 (pH) Set - 2 (solution)
i) 7 A) aq. NaNO3
ii) < 7 B) aq. CH3COOK
iii) > 7 C) aq. NH4NO3
i ii iii
a) C A B
b) C B A
c) A C B
d) A B C.
91. The correct increasing order of pH of aqueous solutions of
A) (NH4)2SO4 B) KNO3 C) NaCN is:
a) A < C < B b) A < B < C c) B < C < A d) C < A < B
92. Hydrolysis constant, Kh of ammonium acetate (Ka = 1.8×10–5, Kb = 2×10–5, Kw =10–14) is:
a) 28 × 10–5 b) 2.8 × 10–5 c) 0.28 × 10–10 d) 2.8 × 10–7
93. The hydrolysis constant, Kh of a salt of NaOH and a weak acid (HX) if Ka is 2 × 10–6 is:
a) 5 × 10–8 b) 5 × 10–6 c) 5 × 10–9 d) 2.5 × 10–7
 326 10th Class Chemistry

C onceptive Worksheet
88. Which of the following has highest pH in water?
a) Na2CO3 b) NaCl c) Na2SO4 d) CuCO3
89. Which of the following is correct?
a) In NaCl solution, both Na+ and Cl– undergo hydrolysis.
b) In CH3COOK solution, K+ undergoes hydrolysis.

c) In NH4Cl solution, NH4 undergoes hydrolysis.

d) All are incorrect.
90. Strongest base is:

a) NO3 b) NH4 c) CH3COO– d) Na+

91. An aqueous solution of the following turns blue litmus red.
a) NaCl b) CH3COONH4 c) KCN d) NH4Cl
92. The hydrolysis constant value for CH3COONa is (Ka = 1.8 × 10–5)
a) 0.55 × 10–10 b) 5.5 × 10–10 c) 1.8 × 20–5 d) 1.8 × 10–9
93. Solution of potash alum K2SO4Al2(SO4)3.24H2O is acidic in nature. This is due to hydrolysis of

a) SO24 b) K+ c) Al3+ d) None

26. Indicators
Acids and Bases are the substances that are so frequently used that it is necessary to determine their
concentrations. Acids and Bases react to form salt and water and the reaction is known as neutralisation.
The concentration of acid or base is determined by titration. Titration is a technique to determine
quantitatively the concentration of one substance if that of the other is known.
Indicator:
An indicator is a substance that is used to determine the end point in a titration. End point is one, when
one equivalent of acid reacts with one equivalent of base. The change in colour of the indicator is noted
at the end point.
Equivalence point is the point where the two substances are present in equal milligram equivalent or
equal gram equivalents.
Acid/Base indicators are usually weak organic acids or weak organic bases which show the change
in colour with in a certain pH range.
Acids & Bases 327

27. Theory of Indicators

Two theories have been put forward to explain the colour change of indicators at end point.
1. Ostwald theory :
Since indicator is a weak organic acid or base the unionized molecules possess a colour different from
ions.
In aqueous solutions, they exhibit the following equilibrium.

Acid indicator: HIn  H2O ‡ˆ ˆˆ ˆ† 

ˆˆ H3O  In


HIn is the undissociated indicator molecule and In– is indicator ion.

Base indicator : In  H2O ‡ˆ ˆˆ ˆ† 

ˆˆ HIn  OH


In is the molecule and HIn+ is the ion.

The indicator generally will have one colour in the molecular form and its ion will have different colour.
For example: phenophthalein molecule (HIn) is colourless and the ion (In_) is red. Methyl orange
molecule (In) is yellow and its ion (HIn+) is red.
Depending on the hydrogen ion concentration in the solution the ionisation equilibrium shifts either to
right or to left.
In acid solutions the ionisation of an acid-indicator decreases (equilibrium shifts towards undissociated
molecule) due to excess of hydrogen ions. The indicator will be almost in its molecular form (HIn) and
hence the solution will have the colour of the molecule. In alkaline medium OH ions react with hydrogen
ions and remove them as water. This results in the increase of the ionisation of the indicator (equilibrium
shifts towards ions side). Hence the solution exhibits the colour of the ions (In–). The ionisation of a
base indicator increases in acid medium. The indicator will then be in the HIn+ form in the solution. In
alkaline medium, due to excess of OH ions, the ionisation is suppressed and hence the solution
exhibits the colour of the molecules (In).
2. Quinonoid theory :
The acid base indicators are aromatic organic compounds, which can exist in two tautomeric forms in
equilibrium with one another.

‡ˆ ˆˆ ˆ†
ˆˆ

Benzenoid form Quinonoid form

Quinonoid form has deeper colour than corresponding, benzenoid form.

Phenolphthalein [HPh], is a weak organic acid. The unionized molecules are colourless while on ionization,
it gives colourless H+ and pink coloured Ph– ions.
 328 10th Class Chemistry


HPh ‡ˆ ˆˆ ˆ†
ˆˆ H  Ph
Colourless Pink
acid form conjugate base

Addition of H+ i.e. addition of acid suppresses the ionization of HPh due to the presence of common
ion, H+ ions, and solution remains colourless. When a base like NaOH or KOH is added, OH– added
form unionized water. The removal of H+ moves the equilibrium to right side and the solution is of pink
colour.
Methyl orange [MeOH] : It is a weak base and ionizes as
 
MeOH ‡ˆ ˆˆ ˆ†
ˆˆ Me  OH
yellow red

When a strong base is added to the indicator, it suppresses the ionization and yellow colour is observed.
When a strong acid is added to methyl orange, it enhances the ionization and red colour is observed.
Choice of Indicator depends on :
i) Abrupt change of pH during neutralisation near the equivalence point.
ii) A suitable indicator is one that have a colour change over a pH range that falls with in the steep part of
the titration curve close to the equivalence point.
iii) The solution at the equivalence point is not necessary neutral. It is neutral if the acid and base both are
strong. But if either of the two is weak or both are weak then the salt formed will undergo hydrolysis.
So the pH will depend upon the hydrolysis constant of the salts.
pH range of indicators:
If the indicators is a weak acid, the equilibrium in solution is
 
HIn  H2O ‡ˆ ˆˆ ˆ†
ˆˆ H3O  In

H  In 
The dissociation constant of the indicators, K In    
HIn

H   K In
HIn
  In 
 

 log H    log K In


 log
HIn   log K In 
 log  
In 
 
In
HIn

In 
pH  pK In  log  
HIn
Acids & Bases 329

In 
 
Since pKIn constant, the ratio changes with change in pH of the solution. If the concentration of
HIn
ions [In–] in solution is above 90 percent the solution will naturally exhibit the colour of the indicator
ions. In a similar way if the concentration of unionised indicator molecules is above 90 percent, the
solution exhibits the colour of the molecular form [HIn] only. Therefore when the concentration of ions
[In–] is 91% (i.e., above 90%).

91
pH  pK In  log ; pK In  1
90
where the concentration of molecules [HIn] is 91% (i.e., above 90%),

9
pH  pK In  log ; pK In  1
91
Thus, if pH of the solution is equal to or greater than pKIn + 1 the solution exhibits the colour of the
indicator ions. Similarly if the pH of the solution is equal to or less than pKIn – 1 the solution exhibits the
colour and indicator molecules. Thus, and acid – base indicator can function effectively in the pH range
(pKIn + 1) to (pKIn – 1).
For example the pKIn of phenolphthalein is 9.4, hence it functions effectively in the pH range 8.4 to
10.4. The pH range and colour in acid and alkaline solution of some indicators are given in table.
Colour
Indicator pKIn pH Range
Acid Alkali
Methyl orange Red Yellow 3.7 3.1 – 4.4
Methyl red Red Yellow 5.1 4.2 – 6.3
Litmus Red Blue 6.5 4.6 – 8.3
Bromothymol blue Yellow Bule 7.0 6.0 – 7.6
Thymol blue Yellow Purple 8.9 8.0 – 9.6
Phenolphthalein Colourless Red 9.4 8.3 – 10
Phenol red Yellow Red 7.9 6.8 – 8.4
Acid-base titrations and use of indicators
The process of acid-base titrations is accompanied by a change in pH. A plot between pH of the
solution during titration and the amount of acid (or alkali) added from a burette is called a titration
curve.
Indicators are frequently employed in detecting end points in acid-alkali titrations. Since, on account of
hydrolysis, the pH at the end point depends upon the relative strengths of the acid and the base being
titrated and since different indicators have different pH ranges within which they can be used, the
selection of a proper indicator for a given titration is very important. The pH changes occurring in some
acid-base titrations may be first considered.
1. Titration of a strong acid against strong base:
In the titration of a strong base with a strong acid the pH of the solution in the vicinity of the end point
changes to 3.3 from 10.7. An indicator with colour change pH range in between 3.5 -10.5 can be used
 330 10th Class Chemistry
for this type of titration. Any indicator can be used in the titration of strong acid with strong base.
2. Titration of a weak acid against strong base:
In the titration of a strong base with a weak acid the pH of the solution in the vicinity of the end point
changes to 7.7 from 9.7. An indicator with colour change pH range in between 8.0 to 10.0 can be used
for this type of titration.
The indicators used in the titration of weak acid with strong base are,
1) Phenolphthalein 2) Thymol blue
3. Titration of a weak base against strong acid:
In the titration of a weak base with a strong acid the pH of the solution in the vicinity of the end point
changes to 4.0 from 6.3 An indicator with colour change pH range in between 4.2 - 6.3 can be used for
this type of titration.
The indicators used in the titration of strong acid with weak base are,
1) Methyl orange 2) Methyl red.
4. Titration of a weak acid against weak base:
In the titration of a weak base with weak acid the pH of the solution in the vicinity of the end point
changes to 6.8 from 7.3. which is not a sharp change carrying this type of titration using an indicator is
very difficult. Hence, if, at all a titration is to be done, approximate end point can be determined using
phenol red (pH range 6.8 – 8.4) as indicator.
Universal indicator:
An Acid-base indicator that functions successfully in a considerable portion of the total pH range is
known as universal indicator. Universal indicator is a mixture of several indicators mixed in a fixed
proportion.
The commonly used universal indicator is a mixture of 0.1 gm of phenolphthalein, 0.2gm of methyl red,
0.3gm of methyl yellow, 0.4 gm of bromothymol blue and 0.5gm of thymol blue dissolved in absolute
alcohol and this solution is made alkaline with sufficient amount of NaOH till it becomes a yellow
solution.
The universal indicator gives different colours at different pH values of solutions
pH =2 Red colour
pH =4 Orange colour
pH =6 Yellow colour
pH =8 Green colour
pH = 10 Blue colour
Acids & Bases 331
Warm-up Court
In  
 
 pH of indicator = pH = pK In + log
 
HIn
 Acid base indicator can function effectively in the pH range (pKIn + 1) to (pKIn – 1)
 For the titration of strong acid against strong base all indicators can be used.
 For the titration of weak acid against strong base phenolphthalein can be used.
 For the titration of weak base against strong acid methyl orange and methyl red can be used.

 For the titration of weak acid against weak base phenol red can be used.

F ormative Worksheet
94. In the titration of oxalic acid with NaOH, the indicator used to detect the end point is:
a) Methyl Orange b) Phenol red
c) any acid-base indicator d) Phenolphthalein
95. According to modern theory the colour change of an indicator with a change in the medium is due to :

a) a change in the degree of ionisation b) a change in the structure of the indicator

c) both ‘a’ & ’b’ d) oxidation of indicator molecule.
96. X is a weak base indicator. It is yellow in colour. Its conjugate acid is red in colour. When this is added
to a solution it is turned to red. PH of this solution can be
a) < 7 b) > 7 c) 7 d)  7
97. The ionisation constant KIn of an indicator HIn is 1.0 × 10–6. The colour of the non-ionised form is red
that of the ionised form is yellow. What is the colour of this indicator in a solution whose pH is 4.00?

a) Red b) Yellow c) Pink d) Colourless

98. An acid type indictor HIn differs in colour from it’s conjugate base. (In–). The human eye is sensitive to
colour differences only when the ratio [In–]/[HIn] is greater than 10 or smaller than 0.1 What minimum
change in the pH of the solution to observe a complete colour change (KIn = 1.0 × 10–5).

a) 2 b) 3 c) 4 d) 5
99. The KIn of certain indicator is 2.0 × 10–6. The colour of HIn is green and that of In– is red. A few drops
of the indicator are added to a HCl solution which is then titrated against a NaOH solution. At what pH
will the indicator change colour ?
a) 5.7  1 b) 5.7  2 c) 5.7  3 d) 5.7  4
 332 10th Class Chemistry

C onceptive Worksheet
94. Which of the following gives pink colour when added to a solution of NaOH in water?
a) Methyl orange b) Methyl red c) Phenolphthalein d) Litmus
95. The colour of the indicator ion obtained from Phenolphthalein is:
a) Pink b) Yellow c) Blue d) Green
96. Which of the following indicator can be used for the titration of strong base with weak acid
a) Methyl orange (pKIn = 3.7) b) Bromo thymol blue(pKIn = 7)
c) Thymol blue (pKIn = 8.9) d) Methyl red (pKIn = 4.5)
97. Phenolphthalein can be used in the titration of :
a) NH4OH (vs) HCl b) KOH (vs) H2SO4 c) Ba(OH)2 (vs) HCl d) NaOH (vs) CH3COOH
98. In acid medium methyl orange (Colour change pH range 3.1 to 4.4) is red. Its colour in a solution of pH
= 6 is :
a) Yellow b) Orange c) Pink d) Blue
99. Phenolphthalein is the only suitable indicator for the following titration:
a) H2C2O4 (vs) NH4OH b) HCl (vs) KOH
c) H2C2O4 (vs) KOH d) H2SO4 (vs) NH4OH

28. Buffer solutions

What happens to the pH of a solution when an acid or a base is added to it? The obvious answer is that
there would be a change in the pH. Surprisingly, there are exceptions to this rule.
The fluid that nourishes our body Blood is slightly alkaline in nature, with a pH of 7.3. For the proper
functioning of the body, the pH of blood should not change, as harmful effects are observed with any
variation in pH. In case, the pH is lower than 7.3, the blood cannot efficiently remove CO2 from the
cells, leading to heart failure, diabetes and persistent diarrhea. On the other hand, it is observed that if
the pH is greater than 7.3, the blood cannot release CO2 to the lungs. This leads to a burning sensation
of the limbs and even to fainting. In fact, a pH value outside the range of 7.0–7.8 cannot sustain life. If
the pH increases or decreases, the regulatory mechanism of the body brings back the pH to its original
level. Hence, we observe that blood is a solution which resists change in its pH value.

Such solutions which resist change in their pH value on the addition of small
amounts of acids or alkalis to them are known as BUFFER SOLUTIONS. A buffer
solution also maintains constant pH even on dilution and on exposure to
atmosphere.

The action of resisting change is known as BUFFER ACTION.

Acids & Bases 333
Composition of Buffer Solutions Composition
Not all solutions can act as buffers. For example, the addition of a few drops of an acid or base to
NaCl solution changes its pH, whereas the addition of a few drops of acid/base to a mixture of
CH 3COOH and CH3COONa does not have any effect on it and the pH remains unchanged.
There are two types of buffers. They are
(1) Acidic Buffers (2) Basic Buffers
Acidic Buffer Basic Buffer
Acidic buffer is a mixture of weak acid Basic buffer is a mixture of weak base (say
(say A) and its salt. B) and its salt.
In acidic buffer, the salt is obtained from the weak In basic buffer, the salt is obtained from the
acid (A) and a strong base. weak base (B) and a strong acid.
Let us make a buffer from a weak acid i.e., Let us make a buffer from a weak base i.e.,
CH3COOH. The 2nd component, the salt, is obtained NH4OH. The 2nd component, the salt, is
by the reaction of CH3COOH with a strong base, obtained by the reaction of NH4OH with a
NaOH, as follows : strong acid, HCl, as follows :
CH3COOH + NaOH  CH 3COONa + H2O NH4OH + HCl  NH4Cl + H2O
So, the mixture of CH3COOH and CH3COONa So, the mixture of NH4OH and NH 4Cl forms
forms an acidic buffer. a basic buffer.
Thus, in general, an acidic buffer consists of a weak Thus, in general, a basic buffer consists of a
acid and its salt, obtained from a strong base. weak base and its salt, obtained from a
This composition of an acidic buffer can be strong acid.
sketched as follows: This composition of a basic buffer can be
Acidic Buffer sketched as follows:
Basic Buffer

Weak Acid + Salt

Weak Base + Salt

Obtained from
Obtained from

Weak Acid Strong Base

Weak Base Strong Acid

Example:
Example:
H3 PO4  Na 3PO4
Ca(OH)2 + CaCl2
In the above example, the buffer solution consists In the above example, the buffer solution
H3PO4 and its salt obtained from a strong base consists of a weak base Ca(OH)2 and its salt
NaOH. obtained from a strong acid HCl.
H3 PO4  3NaOH  Na3 PO 4  3H2 O Ca(OH)2 + 2HCl  CaCl2 + 2H 2O
 334 10th Class Chemistry
Working of Acidic and Basic Buffer
i) Working of an acidic buffer: In an acidic buffer, we have the acid and a salt existing in equilibrium as
follows:
 
CH3COOH ‡ˆ ˆˆ ˆ†
ˆˆ CH3 COO  H

 
CH3COONa ‡ˆ ˆˆ ˆ†
ˆˆ CH3COO  Na

Resisting change in pH due to addition of Resisting change in pH due to addition of OH – ions

+
H ions
1. On addition of an acid (HCl), extra H+ 1. On addition of an alkali (NaOH), extra OH– ions
ions are introduced into the buffer are introduced into the buffer solution.
solution. The H + ions furnished by CH 3COOH accept the
–
The base conjugate – CH3COO from the extra OH – ions to form water molecules.
salt (CH 3COONa), accepts the excess
CH3COOH  CH3COO  H 
H+ ions forming undissociated
CH 3COOH molecules. H  OH  H2O
2. The siphoning of the excess H+ ions 2. The siphoning of the OH – ions resist the change in
resist the change in pH. The overall pH. The overall mechanism can be summarised as
mechanism is as follows: follows :
CH3COONa  CH3COO   Na 
HCl  CH3 COO   CH 3 COOH  Cl NaOH  CH3COOH  CH3COO  H2O  Na 

ii) Working of a basic buffer: In a basic buffer, we have the base and the salt existing in equilibrium as
follows:

NH4OH ƒ NH4  OH

NH4Cl ƒ NH4  Cl 

Resisting change due to addition of H+ ions Resisting change due to addition of

OH– ions
1. Upon addition of an acid (HCl), the 1. Upon addition of an alkali (NaOH),
excess H+ ions combine with the OH – ions the excess OH – ions furnished by
furnished by the base NH4OH to form base react with the conjugate acid
water molecules  
NH4 furnished by one salt NH 4Cl
H   OH  H2O (on dissociatbn) as follows :
NH4  OH   NH4 OH
From the acid From NH4OH 2. The siphoning of the excess OH –
added. ions resists the change in pH. The
overall mechanism is shown as :
2. The siphoning of the excess H+ ions
NaOH + NH4  NH4OH + Na+
resists the change in pH. The overall
mechanism is shown as :
HCl + NH4OH  NH4 + H2O + Cl–
Acids & Bases 335
Calculation of pH of a Buffer solution:
i) For acidic buffer solution:
If the weak acid is HA and its salt is BA, then,
 
HA  H2O ‡ˆ ˆˆ ˆ†
ˆˆ H2O  A

BA  B  A 

H3O   A   HA 
or H3O   K a

 Ka 
HA   A   ----------- (i)

But [A–] = [BA], therefore

H3O   K a
HA   K  Acid
BA  a Salt  ---------------- (ii)


Acid 
= – log [H3O+] --------------- (iii) = – log K a 
 Acid  
pH = – log K – log
Salt 
 a Salt 
 

 pH = pK a + log
Salt
 Acid ----------- (iv)
Where pKa = – log Ka , [salt] = concentration of salt and [acid] = concentration of
acid
Substituting the value of [H3O+] from (i) in (iii), we get,

HA   A    Conjugate base

pH = – log Ka – log  A   (or) pH = pKa + log (or) pH = pKa + log  Acid 
  HA 
Note : a) It is interesting to observe that if [salt]/[acid] = 10, pH = pKa +1.
b) If [Acid]/[Salt] = 10, pH = pK a –1. Thus, if the ratio of the conjugate
acid-base pair is changed by 10 times, pH changes by  1.
ii) For basic buffer solutions:
Consider a basic buffer mixture like BOH + BA in a similar manner. Then,

pOH = pK b + log
Salt
Base -------------- (1)
As pH + pOH = 14, then pH can be calculated.
336 10th Class Chemistry
Alternative method:
pH + pOH = 14  pOH = 14 – pH
Also, pKa + pKb = 14  pKb = 14 – pKa
Substituting the above values in (i), we get,

Salt 
14 – pH = 14 – pKa + log Base
 

Salt Base
(or) pH = pKa - log Base or pH = pKa + log Salt
   
Ka is the ionisation constant of the conjugate acid of the base.

Base
Also, pH = pKa + log Conjugate acid
 
Range of pH for Buffer Solution
pH of a buffer solution ranges from pKa – 1 to pKa + 1.
Buffer Capacity:
The buffer capacity tells us about the ability of a solution to resist a change in pH.
It is defined as the ratio of the number of moles of acid or base added per litre to the change of one unit
in pH. To bring a given change in pH, more amount of acid or base is added, the solution has greater
resistance towards change in pH and hence, greater buffer capacity.

No. of moles of acid (or) base added per litre of the buffer
Buffer capacity =
Change in pH

Condition for maximum buffer capacity for a given buffer solution:

When the components of the buffer solution are equimolar, the buffer capacity is maximum.
i.e., [salt] = [acid] or [base].
pH when buffer capacity is maximum:

salt 
pH of acidic buffer solution is = pKa + log
acid
When buffer capacity is maximum [salt] = [acid]

 pH  pK a  log
salt   pK  log 1  pK Q log1  0
acid a a

When buffer capacity is maximum pH = pKa.

Acids & Bases 337
Warm-up Court

 Acidic buffer is a mixture of weak acid and its salt with a strong base.

 Basic buffer is a mixture of weak base and its salt with a strong acid.
Conjugate base or pH = pK a + log
 Salt
 pH acidic buffer = pH = pK a + log
 Acid  Acid
Salt
 pH of basic buffer = pOH = pK b + log
 Base
 pH of buffer solution ranges from pKa – 1 to pKa + 1

No. of moles of acid (or) base added per litre of the buffer
 Buffer capacity =
Change in pH

F ormative Worksheet
100. Which of the following mixture is not a buffer solution?
a) 100m l of 0.5 N - CH3COOH + 100 ml of 0.05 N - NaOH
b) 100ml of 0.5 N - NH4OH + 100 ml of 0.5N - HCl
c) 100ml of 0.5 N - NH4OH + 10 ml of 0.5 N - H2SO4
d) 100ml of 0.5 N - NH4OH + 200 ml of 0.5N - HNO3
101. Consider the buffer system of hydrofluoric acid, HF, and it salt, NaF.

HF ‡ˆ ˆˆ †ˆ H+ + F–.

a) What is the purpose of the buffer system?

b) Why is a salt of the acid needed?
c) How does the buffer react when some H+ is added?
d) How does the buffer react when some OH– is added?
102. Which of the following is an example of a basic buffer?
a) NH4OH + NH4Cl b) CH3COOH + CH3COONa
c) CH3COONH4 + CH3COOH d) CH3COONH4 + NH4OH
103. Analyse the -following buffer solutions and determine the acids and bases from which the salt has been
formed.
a) HCN + KCN b) Al(OH)3 + AlCl3
c) CH3COOH + CH3COONa d) NH4OH + (NH4)2SO4
 338 10th Class Chemistry
104. A certain acidic buffer solution has equal concentrations of acid and the salt in it. The Ka for the acid is
10–9. Determine the pH of the buffer solution.
a) 8 b) 9 c) 10 d) 11

C onceptive Worksheet
100. Which of the following mixture is not a buffer solution?
a) 100ml of 0.5NH4Cl and 100 ml of 0.6N–NH4OH
b) 100 ml of 0.6 N - HCN and 100ml of 0.4 N-NaOH
c) 100ml of 0.2N NH4OH and 100ml of 0.2N-CH3COOH
d) 100 ml of 0.4N-HCl and 100 ml of 0.4N NaOH
101. NH4OH and NH4NO3 constitute which type of buffer?
a) Acidic b) Basic c) Neutral d) None
102. Chronic lung diseases such as emphysema and asthma or injury to the respiratory center can cause
hypoventilation and an elevation in the CO2 level of the blood.
a) Would the blood become more acidic or basic?
b) Would you expect to see a blood pH above or below 7.45?
c) Why would a sodium bicarbonate solution be given intravenously?
103. Which of the following cannot act as a buffer?
a) NaH2PO4 + H3PO4 b) CH3COOH + CH3COONa
c) NH4Cl + HCl d) Na2HPO4 + H3PO4
104. Calculate the pH of buffer solution containing 0.1 moles of acetic acid and 1 mole of sodium acetate per
litre(pKa = 4.8).
a) 7.8 b) 6.6 c) 5.8 d) 4.2

Summative Worksheet
1. Assertion(A): The strength of the acid is explained by the degree of ionisation of the acid.
Reason(R) : Any acid having degree of ionisation of 30% (or) above is a strong acid.
a) Both Assertion and reason are correct and reason is the correct explanation of assertion.
b) Both assertion and reason are correct and reason is not the correct explanation of assertion.
c) Assertion is correct, reason is incorrect.
d) Assertion is incorrect, reason is correct.
Acids & Bases 339
2. The following are some statements about H2S. Which of them are correct?
(i) It is a mineral acid.
(ii) It is an oxyacid.
(iii) It is dibasic.
(iv) It reacts with NaOH and form Na2SO4.
a) i and ii are correct. b) ii and iii are correct.
c) i and iii are correct. d) iii and iv are correct.
3. Which of the following statements are true about HNO3.
i) It is a monobasic acid and ionises in one step.

ii) It forms an equilibrium: HNO3 + H2O ‡ˆ ˆˆ ˆ†

ˆˆ H3O+ + NO3

iii) HNO3 and NO3 differ by H+ ion.

iv) HNO3 and H3O+ are acids.
a) i, ii, iii are correct and iv is incorrect. b) i, ii, iv are correct and iii is incorrect.
c) ii, iii, iv are correct and i is incorrect. d) All are correct.
4. Assertion(A) : Acid anhydrides dissolve in water to form acids.
Reason(R) A non-metallic oxide which dissolves in water to form acid is called an acid
anhydride.
a) Both assertion and reason are correct and reason is the correct explanation of assertion.
b) Both assertion and reason are correct and reason is not the correct explanation of assertion.
c) Assertion is correct, reason is incorrect.
d) Assertion is incorrect, reason is correct.
5. Which of the following base ionises in aqueous solution to produce three hydroxyl ions per molecule?

a) NaOH b) Cu(OH)2 c) Fe(OH)3 d) KOH

6. Which of the following base, is not an alkali?
a) NaOH b) Cu(OH)2 c) Zn(OH)2 d) Ca(OH)2
7. The degree of dissociation of an alkali in an aqueous solution is given by:

Number of dissociated alkali molecules

a)
Total number of alkali molecules  100

Number of dissociated alkali molecules

b)  100
Total number of alkali molecules
 340 10th Class Chemistry

Number of dissociated alkali molecules

c)
Total number of alkali molecules

d) None
8. The gas that is evolved during the process of heating Metallic Carbonates is: (except Na2CO3, K2CO3)

a) CO b) CO2 c) O2 d) H2
9. Modified Arrhenius theory is applicable to:
a) Aqueous solutions b) Non-aqueous solutions
c) Both d) None
10. Identify the substance which acts as a base according to modified Arrhenius theory.
a) SO3 b) NH3 c) CN– d) C2H4
11. HCl gas cannot acts as an acid in:
a) Polar solvents b) Highly polar solvents
c) NH3 liquid d) Non-polar solvents
12. Weakest base is:

a) C2H5O– b) NO3 c) F– d) CH3COO–

13. Which of the following is an amphiprotic ion?
a) Chlorate ion b) Acetate ion c) Sulphate ion d) Bicarbonate ion
14. Which of the following is an aprotic solvent?
a) Hydro fluoric acid b) Aniline
c) Benzene d) Glacial acetic acid
15. Statement A: Bronsted acids function as an acid in the presence of any solvent.
Statement B: Bronsted bases function as a base in the presence of any solvent.
a) A is true, B is false. b) A is false, B is true.
c) A and B are true. d) A and B are false.
16. The gaseous phase neutralisation reaction can be explained, only on the basis of:
a) Arrhenius theory b) Lowry - Bronsted theory
c) Lewis theory d) All the above
17. The acid-base theory failed to explain the relative strength of acids and bases is:
a) Bronsted b) Arrhenius c) Lewis d) All
18. A) Lewis concept cannot explain the acidic nature of H2SO4.
Acids & Bases 341
B) Bronsted Lowry theory can explain the acidic nature of CO2.
C) H2SO4 in HClO4 can act as a base.
a) Only A is wrong b) Only B is wrong c) Only C is wrong d) All are wrong
19. Carbanions are:
a) Lewis bases b) Lewis acids c) Bronsted acids d) Arrhenius acids
20. Which of the following is not a Lewis base?
a) C6H5NH2 b) C2H5OH c) NH3 d) SnCl4
21. Different seasons have different temperatures. Does Kw depend on season and hence on the
temperature?
22. Find the pH of the solution formed by the addition of 36.5 g of HCl and 40 g of NaOH.
a) 5 b) 6 c) 7 d) 8
23. i) The pH of 10–1M HCl is 1, while that of 10–1M CH3COOH is 2. T/F
ii) pOH of 10–1 M of NH4OH solution is 1. T/F
i ii
a) T F
b) T T
c) F T
d) F F
24. The pH of 0.002 M - H2SO4 solution is:
a) 2 b) 2.3979 c) 2.6021 d) 2.699
25. 8gm of NaOH is present in 250 ml of a solution, the pH of the solution is:
a) 13.9 b) 10.5 c) 3.4 d) 0.1
26. The pH of a solution is 4.0 what should be the change in the hydrogen ion concentration of the solution
if its pH is to be increased to 5.0
a) Halved b) Doubled

c) Decreases to ½ of its original concentration. d) Decreased by 110 times its original.

27. 5.6 grams of KOH (molwt. = 56) is present in 1 litre of solution. Its pH is :
a) 1 b) 13 c) 14 d) 0
28. A solution of pH 9 is one thousand times as basic as a solution of pH.
a) 4 b) 7 c) 10 d) 6
29. The pH of 0.1 M solution of CH3COOH if it ionises to an extent of 1% is:
a) 1 b) 2 c) 3 d) 4
 342 10th Class Chemistry

30. When 1ml of 0.1M HCI is added to 1 litre of water the pH of water becomes,
a) 4 b) 8 c) 3 d) 6
31. pOH of a solution is 9. The solution is ________
a) Acidic b) Basic c) Neutral d) None
32. Given [OH–] = 10–2M, find the nature of solution.
a) Acidic b) Basic c) Neutral d) None
33. If the [H+] is 10–6M, then the solution is:
a) strongly acidic b) weakly acidic c) strongly basic d) weakly basic
34. If the [OH–] = 10–6M, determine the nature of the solution.
a) Acidic b) Basic c) Neutral d) None
35. Which of the following cases is true when an acid solution is diluted? (more than one choice is possible)

i) pH decreases ii) pOH decreases iii) pH increases iv) pOH increases

a) i and ii b) ii and iii c) iii and iv d) i and iv
36. i) The pH value of a solution is equal to the negative power to which 10 must be raised in order to
express H+ ion concentration i.e., [H+] = 10–pH. Is this statement true?
ii) The pOH value of a solution is equal to the negative power to which 10 must be raised in order to
express OH– ion concentration i.e., [OH–] = 10–pOH. Is this statement true?
i ii
a) F F
b) T F
c) F T
d) T T
37. i) If pOH = 12, find [H+]

ii) If pH = 12, find [OH–].

i ii
a) 10–2 M 10–12 M
b) 10–12 M 10–2 M
c) 10–2 M 10–2 M
d) 10–12 M 10–12 M
Acids & Bases 343

38. i) Diluting an acidic solution increases its pH. T/F

ii) Concentrated basic soltuions have greater pH. T/F
i ii
a) F F
b) T F
c) F T
d) T T
39. pH decreases by 2 units. Describe the resulting change in [H+].
a) Decreases by 10 times b) Increases by 10 times
c) Decreases by 100 times d) Increases by 100 times
40. i) Increase of pH by 1 unit dilutes the solution 10 - fold. T/F
ii) Tripling the concentration of a basic solution leads to decrease of pH by 3 units.T/F
i ii
a) T F
b) T T
c) F T
d) F F
41. If pH changes by 0.5 units, then [H+] becomes _______ times the original.

a) 2 times b) 4 times c) 8 times d) 10 times

42. Dilution of an acidic solution makes its concentration ¼th of original. Describe the change in the resulting
pH.
a) Increases by 0.6021 b) Decreases by 0.6021
c) Remains constant d) None
43. 1 litre of a buffer solution contains 0.01M NH4Cl and 0.1M NH4OH. The value of pKb is 6. Find the
pH of the solution.
a) 9 b) 5 c) 8 d) 6
44. Calculate the pH of a solution containing a mixture of 20ml of 0.1 M NH4OH and 2ml of 0.1 M NH3
solution (pKb of NH4OH = 4.8).
a) 8.2 b) 7.6 c) 6.8 d) 5.2
45. Calculate the pH of a buffer solution obtained by mixing 50ml of 0.1 M sodium acetate and 25ml of
CH3COOH. pKa of CH3COOH is 4.8.
a) 7.8 b) 6.6 c) 5.8 d) 4.8
 344 10th Class Chemistry
46. A given acidic buffer solution has maximum buffer capacity. Its dissociation constant is 10–6. Then its
pH is ___________.
a) 8 b) 7 c) 6 d) 5
47. 0.002 mole of acid is added to a litre of buffer solution. This decreases the pH of the buffer by 0.02.
Then the buffer capacity is:
a) 0.2 b) 0.1 c) 0.6 d) 0.4
48. 5 moles of acid is required to change the pH of 1 litre of buffer by 2 units. Find buffer capacity.
a) 5 b) 3.5 c) 2.5 d) 15
49. The ionisation constant of acetic acid is 2 × 10–5 The pH of buffer containing acetic acid and sodium
acetate is 4.7. The acid and salt ratio in the buffer is:
a) one : one b) Ten : one c) one : ten d) two : one
50. What should be the ratio of acetic acid to sodium acetate for preparing a buffer of pH 4? pKa of acetic
acid is 4.74.
a) 5.495 b) 4.623 c) 3.749 d) 2.654
51. A buffer contains 0.1 M solution of each of NH4OH and NH4Cl. What is the change in pH if 0.02
moles of HCl is added per litre of the buffer? Assume that there is no volume change. pKb of NH4OH
= 4.74.
a) 0.25 b) 0.18 c) 0.09 d) 0.04
52. Calculate the pH of a buffer solution obtained by mixing 20ml of 0.2M CH3COOH and 10ml of 0.4M
sodium acetate (pKa of CH3COOH = 4.8).
a) 7.8 b) 6.6 c) 5.8 d) 4.8
53. Which of the following is not a Lewis base?
a) C6H5NH2 b) C2H5OH c) NH3 d) SnCl4
54. A given acid buffer solution of pH = 6, has maximum buffer capacity. Find the dissociation constant of
the acid.
a) 10–9 b) 10–8 c) 10–7 d) 10–6
55. (i) Calculate the pH of a buffer solution containing 0.1 M each of acetic acid and sodium
acetate. (pKa = 1.8 × 10–5)
(ii) Calculate the change in pH when, 0.01 moles of HCl is added to 1 litre of the above
solution?
(iii) Calculate the change in pH when, 0.01 moles of NaOH is added to 1 litre of the above
solution?
(Assume that no volume change occurs on the addition of HCl or NaOH)
Acids & Bases 345
i ii iii
a) 6.530 0.087 0.095
b) 5.620 0.098 0.087
c) 4.745 0.087 0.087
d) 3.454 0.074 0.068
56. The solubility product of SrF2 in water is 8 × 10–10. Calculate its solubility in 0.1 M NaF aqueous
solution.
a) 8 × 10–8 M b) 6.5 × 10–8 M c) 4.2 × 10–6 M d) 3.6 × 10–5 M
57. Which of the aqueous solutions is/are acidic?
a) CH3COONa b) FeSO4 c) (NH4)2SO4 d) K2SO4
58. Anionic hydrolysis takes place in the aqueous solution of
a) CH3COONH4 b) KCN c) K2CO3 d) All the above
59. Assertion (A) : Aqueous solution of CH3COOK is basic.
Reason (R) : Anion of weak acid undergoes hydrolysis.
a) Both assertion and reason are correct and reason is the correct explanation of assertion.
b) Both assertion and reason are correct but reason is not the correct explanation of assertion.
c) Assertion is correct and reason is incorrect.
d) Assertion is incorrect and reason is correct.
60. Phenol red can be used in the titration of :
a) Weak Acid Vs Strong Base b) Strong Acid Vs Strong Base
c) Strong Acid Vs Weak Base d) Weak Acid Vs Weak Base
61. A solution of sodium bicarbonate in water turns :
a) phenolphthalein colourless b) methyl orange yellow
c) methyl orange red d) blue litmus red
62. The alkali not suitable for volumetric determination of HCl using phenolphthalein as an indicatior is:

a) NaOH b) Ba(OH)2 c) KOH d) NH4OH

63. When the following, when added to 20ml of 0.1M CH3COOH + 20 ml of 0.1 M CH3COONa, its pH
of the solution does not change
a) 10 ml of 0.1M CH3COOH b) 10 ml of 0.1M CH3COONa
c) 10 ml of water d) All the above
 346 10th Class Chemistry
64. A solution consists of a mixture of H2S and Na2S with a pH of 9. On 10–fold dilution, the pH ________.

a) Increases b) Decreases
c) Remains constant d) None
65. When a few drops of methyl orange is added to water. The colour developed is:
a) Yellow b) Pink c) Orange d) Blue

H OTS W orksheet
1. Match the following :
a) Ammonium hydroxide 1) Manufacture of soap
b) Sodium hydroxide 2) As antacid
c) Calcium hydroxide 3) Fire extinguisher
d) Magnesium hydroxide 4) To remove grease stains
e) Aluminium hydroxide 5) Alkaline batteries
f) Potassium hydroxide 6) Temporary softening of hard water
2. You are required to prepare lead sulphate from lead carbonate. Briefly explain how do you do this ?
3. A solution P has pH value 13, a solution Q has pH value 6, and a solution R has pH value 2.
i) Which solution will liberate NH3 from (NH4)2SO4 .
ii)Which solution is a strong acid.
iii) Which solution contains ions as well as molecules.
4. Find the pOH of 0.00005 M of H2SO4 aqueous solution.
5. 0.0049g H2SO4 is used to prepare 500ml of aqueous solution. Find pH and pOH.

6. What is the pH of a solution whose CH3O = 5×10–4g ions/litre.

7. Concentration of acid solution is x.10–y, the pH and pOH of solution is ?

8. 0.00004g NaOH is mixed with water to prepare 4litres of aqueous solution. Find pH?
9. The dissociation constant of a weak acid HA is 10–9, the pH of its 0.001M solution is?
10. The pOH of a centimolar solution of weak monobasic acid HA is 6. The dissociation constant is ?
11. 0.0002 g CH3COOH acid is used to prepare 5litres of aqueous solution. Its equilibrium constant is 10–
9
. Find the degree of dissociation ?
12. pH of the solution is 5.699. Its hydrogen ion concentration is ?

13. The CH3O in pure water at 900C is 10–6g ion/litre. The Kw of water at 900C is ?
Acids & Bases 347
14. 0.04M NaOH of 100ml is mixed with 0.0004M H2SO4 of 200ml. Find the pH of the solution ?
15. pH of an aqueous solution of NaCl is 7 while that for a solution of CH3COONa is greater than 7. Why
?
16. 0.02 moles of NH4OH is mixed with 0.0365g HCl in 2lt aqueous solution. Find pOH value and pH ?
17. The hydrolysis constant of strong base - weak acid solution is 10–8. What is Ka of the weak acid ?
18. A weak base dissociation constant is 10–11. Find the salt hydrolysis constant of salt produced with
strong acid ?
19. A weak acid (Ka = 2×10–6) and a weak base (Kb = 5×10–7) form a salt. Calculate the hydrolysis
constant ?
20. The 0.005M monobasic acid has a pH of 5. What is the degree of dissociation ?
21. Weight percentage of acetic acid solution is 0.3% in aqueous state, and its dissociation constant is 10–
9
. Find the degree of dissociation and pH value (density is 1.2g/ml)
22. 2g of NaOH is dissolved in centimolar nitric acid aqueous solution of 800ml.
i) Determine the nature of solution ii) Molarity of solution
iii) H+ or OH– concentration iv) pH value and pOH value
23. Calculate the pH of 0.002M acetic acid solution, if it is 2.3% ionised at this dilution ?
24. The value of Kw is 6.22 ×10–14 at a certain temperature. Calculate the i) [H+] of water
ii) pH and pOH of water
25. Two acids A1 and A2 have their dissociation constants as 0.00018 and 0.0037 respectively at 250C.
What would be the relative dilution of the acids so that the solutions become isohydric.
26. The dissociation constant of a weak acid is 1×10–5. What is the pH of solution, when equimolar
concentrations of this acid and its salt are mixed ?
27. Calculate the pH value of a buffer solution containing 0.4 moles of acetic acid and 0.6moles of potassium
acetate per litre. The dissociation constant of acetic acid is 1.84×10–5moles/litre.
28. How would you prepare a buffer solution of pH 4.70 using acetic acid and sodium acetate ? [K a =
2.0×10–5].
29. Find the pH and pOH of a buffer solution made by mixing 20ml of 0.1M NH4OH and 10ml of 0.8M
NH4Cl solution. pH of buffer solution is 8.2. What is the pKa of the NH4OH ?
30. Degree of dissociation of millinormal solution is 0.000428. Find its salt dissociation constant ?
31. What will be the relative strengths of the two acids having dissociation constant as 2.1×10–4 and 1.8×10–
5
.
32. A weak acid and a weak base whose dissociation constants are 1×10 –5 and 4×10–8 form a salt.
Calculate the hydrolysis constant ?
33. The hydrolysis constant of strong base - weak acid salt solution is 10–9. What is Ka of the weak acid
?
 348 10th Class Chemistry
34. The hydrolysis constant of NH4Cl solution is 0.2×10–8. What is the concentration of the weak base ?
35. The hydrolysis constant of XA salt solution is 0.4×10–9. If its base and the salt are used to prepare the
buffer solution, its pH = 8. Find the ratio of base and salt used to prepare it ?

IIT JEE Worksheet

1. The ionic product of water is 1.96  10–14 at 350C, what is its value at 100C?
A) 1.96  10–14 B)3.92  10–14 C) 2.95  10–15 D)1.96  10–13
2. 75 ml of 0.2M HCl is mixed with 25 ml of 1M HCl. To this solution 300 ml of distilled water is added.
What is the pH of the resultant solution?
A) 1 B)2 C) 4 D) 0.2
3. At 900C, the concentration of H3O+ in pure water is 10–6 mole/lit. What is the value of Kw at this
temperature?
A) 10–6 B) 10–8 C) 10–14 D) 10–12
4. The pH of NaOH solution is 12. What is the amount in grams of NaOH present in this solution?
A) 40 B) 4 C) 0.4 D) 20
5. The pH of an aqueous solution of H2O2 is 6.0. Some chlorine is bubbled through this solution. The pH
of the resulting solution will be
A) 6 B) 7 C) less than 6 D) more than 7
6. The pH of a solution is increased from 3 to 6. Its H+ ion concentration will be
A) reduced to half B) doubled
C) reduced by 1000 times D) increased by 1000 times
7. The dissociation constant of a weak monobasic acid Ka is 1  105. The pH of 0.1M of that acid would
be
A) 3 B) between 2 to 3 C) 1 D) 5
8. Which one of the following is not a base?
A) N2H4 B) NH2OH C) (CH3)3N D) HN3
9. The pH of the aqueous solution containing 0.49 g of H2SO4 in one litre is
A) 2 B) 1 C) 1.7 D) 0.3
10. The pH of 0.1N sodium hydroxide is
A) 12 B) 2 C) 1 D) 4
11. Urine normally has a pH of 6.0. If a patient eliminates 1.3 litres of urine per day, how many moles of H+
ions does he urinate?
A) 1.3  10–3 B) 1.3  10–6 C) 1.3  10–7 D) 1.3  10–6
Acids & Bases 349
12. pH of a solution is 5. Its hydrogen ion concentration is decreased by 100 times. The solution will then
be
A) Neutral B) Acidic C) Basic D) more acidic
13. The number of hydroxide ions produced by one molecule of Na2CO3 on hydrolysis is
A) 4 B) 2 C) 3 D) 0
14. The ionic product of water is 10–14. The hydrogen ion concentration present in 0.1M NaOH solution is
A) 10–11 moles / litre B) 10–13 moles / litre C) 10–1 moles / litre D) 10–4 moles / litre
15. The pH of 0.05 MH2SO4 is
A)5 B) 1.3010 C) 2.6990 D) 1
16. The dissociation constant of a weak acid HA is 1  10–5. Its concentration is 0.1M. pHof that solution
is
A) 1 B) 2 C) 3 D) 5
17. The pH of 0.005 M H2SO4 is
A) 2.5 B) 4.5 C) 2.0 D) 1.0
18. Nature of a 0.1 M solution of sodium bisulphate is
A) acidic B) alkaline C) neutral D) None
19. The ionic product of water [H+] [OH–] at 250C is
A) 10–7 B) 10–12 C) 10–14 D) 10–13
20. The pH of 0.001M aqueous solution of sodium hydroxide will be
A) 5 B) 7.5 C) 9 D) 11
350 10th Class Chemistry