Acid-Base Equilibria: Chemistry, Lessons.

Bronsted-Lowry Acids and Bases

Upon completion of this lesson, the pupil shall be expected to master the following chemical principles: Identification of Chemical Agents: The pupil shall identify acids, bases, and their respective conjugate pairs in strict accordance with the Brønsted-Lowry theory. Formulation of Reactions: The pupil shall compose formal equations representing the ionization of acidic and basic substances. Calculations of Aqueous Equilibrium: By employing the ion-product constant for water, the pupil shall determine the precise concentrations of hydronium and hydroxide ions within a solution. Observation of Amphiprotism: The pupil shall describe with accuracy the dual behavior of amphiprotic substances, which may act as either acid or base as circumstances dictate.

pH and pOH

Upon completion of this section, the pupil shall be expected to achieve the following competencies: Classification of Aqueous Solutions: The pupil shall explain the methods by which a solution is characterized as acidic, basic, or neutral in nature.Expression of Ionic Concentrations: The pupil shall express the concentrations of hydronium and hydroxide ions through the formal application of the $pH$ and $pOH$ scales. Mathematical Relating of Scales: The pupil shall perform the necessary calculations to relate pH and pOH values to one another.

Relative Strengths of Acids and Bases

Upon completion of this section, the pupil shall be expected to demonstrate the following scholarly proficiencies: Assessment of Chemical Potency: The pupil shall assess the relative strengths of acidic and basic substances by means of their respective ionization constants. Rationalization of Structural Trends: The pupil shall provide a rational account of the variations in acid-base strength as they relate to the underlying molecular structure of the matter. Execution of Equilibrium Computations: The pupil shall carry out the requisite mathematical calculations pertaining to the equilibrium of weak acid and base systems.

Hydrolysis of Salt Solutions

Upon completion of this section, the pupil shall be expected to demonstrate the following scholarly proficiencies: Prediction of Saline Character: The pupil shall determine by theoretical deduction whether the dissolution of a given salt in water will result in an acidic, basic, or neutral solution. Computation of Ionic Species: The pupil shall calculate with mathematical precision the concentrations of the various chemical species existing in equilibrium within a salt solution. Explanation of Metallic Hydrolysis: The pupil shall describe the chemical process—namely, the interaction between water and certain metallic cations—that imparts an acidic character to their solutions.

Polyprotic Acids

Upon completion of this section, the pupil shall be expected to demonstrate the following scholarly proficiency: Extension of Equilibrium Principles: The pupil shall extend the previously established laws of chemical equilibrium to encompass those acids and bases capable of donating or accepting more than one proton.

Buffers

Upon completion of this section, the pupil shall be expected to demonstrate the following scholarly proficiencies:Description of Buffering Agents: The pupil shall describe the chemical composition and the stabilizing function of acid–base buffers, specifically their capacity to resist changes in acidity or alkalinity. Computation of Buffer Equilibria: The pupil shall calculate the pH of a buffer solution with mathematical exactitude, both in its initial state and following the introduction of supplementary quantities of acid or base.

Acid-Base Titrations

Upon completion of this section, the pupil shall be expected to demonstrate the following scholarly proficiencies: Interpretation of Titration Curves: The pupil shall interpret the graphical representations of pH variation, known as titration curves, for systems involving both strong and weak acids and bases.Computation of pH Stages: The pupil shall calculate with mathematical rigor the pH of a sample at critical junctures of the titration process, including the initial state, the buffer region, the equivalence point, and the state of excess titrant. Explanation of Indicator Function: The pupil shall explain the chemical function of acid-base indicators, which are themselves weak organic acids or bases that undergo a visible change in color upon the gain or loss of a proton.