AP Chemistry : Acid-Base Reactions

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for AP Chemistry

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 : P H And Poh Of Strong Acids And Bases

Which of the following is a Lewis base?

Possible Answers:

PH3

CH3CH2CH2CH3

CH2COOH

NH4+

Correct answer:

PH3

Explanation:

A Lewis base is an electron-pair donor. Only PH3 has a pair of nonbonding electrons and can act as a donor. 

Example Question #101 : Reaction Types

Which of the following is the conjugate base of oxalic acid (H2C2O4)?

Possible Answers:

HC2O4+

H2C2O4

(C2O4) 2–

HC2O4–

Correct answer:

HC2O4–

Explanation:

The conjugate base has one less H atoms and one unit greater negative charge because of this. Thus, the correct answer is HC2O4–

Example Question #7 : P H And Poh Of Strong Acids And Bases

Which of the following solutions will have a pH greater than 7?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

HCN, HCl, CH3COOH, and NH4Cl are all acids (NH4+ is the ammonium ion). That only leaves KCN as the correct answer.

Example Question #71 : Acid Base Reactions

BCl3 is a                     .  

Possible Answers:

Arrhenius acid

Lewis acid

Bronsted-Lowry base

Lewis base

Bronsted-Lowry acid

Correct answer:

Lewis acid

Explanation:

A Lewis acid is a species that can accept an electron pair. In the BCl3 molecule, B does not have a complete octet (3 covalent bonds, thus 6 electrons around it rather than 8). Thus, it can accept another electron pair, making it a Lewis acid.

Example Question #1 : P H And Poh Of Strong Acids And Bases

Which of the following compounds is a Lewis acid: HCl, AlCl_3, NH_3, H_2SO_4?

Possible Answers:

H_2SO_4

AlCl_3

NH_3

HCl

H_2O

Correct answer:

AlCl_3

Explanation:

A Lewis acid is a 2-electron acceptor, and a Lewis base is a 2-electron donor.

HCl, while it is acidic, cannot accept two electrons, so it is not a Lewis acid.

AlCl_3 can accept two electrons, so it is a Lewis acid.

NH_3 is a Lewis base.

H_2SO_4, like hydrochloric acid, is acidic, but cannot accept two electrons, so it is not a Lewis acid.

Example Question #10 : P H And Poh Of Strong Acids And Bases

Which of the following salts will result in an acidic solution?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

All of the listed salts will dissolve into ions when in water. When the ions are in solution, they can act as acids or bases by donating or accepting protons. Chloride, bromide, and iodide ions are all conjugate bases of strong acids, so they will not accept protons. Sodium and potassium ions are the conjugate acids of strong bases, which dissociate completely, so they will not accept hydroxide ions.

Ammonium is the conjugate acid of ammonia, a weak base. The ammonium ion can donate a proton to the solution. This will make the solution slightly acidic. As a result, ammonium bromide is a salt that will make an acidic solution.

Example Question #161 : Reactions And Equilibrium

Which of the following salts, when added to water, will result in a basic solution?

Possible Answers:

Sodium fluoride

Ammonium bromide

Potassium chloride

Sodium chloride

Correct answer:

Sodium fluoride

Explanation:

A salt will dissociate completely in an aqueous solution, forming its respective ions. Knowing this, we can make predictions on how the ions will affect the pH of the solution, given their strengths as conjugate acids and bases. Fluoride ions are the conjugate base of hydrofluoric acid, which is a weak acid. As a result, fluoride ions will attach to protons in solution and decrease the proton concentration of the solution. This will make the solution more basic.

Chloride and bromide ions are conjugate bases of strong acids. Since these strong acids would dissociate completely in water, these ions will not associate with hydrogen ions in solution and will not affect the solution pH.

Example Question #101 : Reaction Types

Consider the following chemical reaction.

What phenomena is this responsible for?

Possible Answers:

The violent reaction between baking soda and vinegar

Dry ice

Acid rain

None of the available answers

When an acid and a base are mixed, a violent reaction occurs

Correct answer:

Acid rain

Explanation:

The above reaction describes the reaction that occurs when carbon dioxide dissolves in water and reacts to form carbonic acid, which is responsible for acid rain.

The phenomenon seen by dry ice is simply the sublimation of carbon dioxide. Acids and bases do not usually react in a violent fashion. The reaction between baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) and vinegar (acetic acid) is given below. The production of carbon dioxide gas is responsible for the bubbles seen in this reaction.

Example Question #971 : Ap Chemistry

Which of the following is a pairing between an acid and its conjugate base?

Possible Answers:

PO4, PO3

H3O+, H20

H2O, COOH

H2CO3, CO2

Correct answer:

H3O+, H20

Explanation:

The conjugate base of an acid is the same formula, minus one proton. The only option that fits this description is the one that includes the hydronium ion (H3O+) and water (H2O).

Example Question #171 : Reactions And Equilibrium

Under which classification(s) of acid does  fall?

Possible Answers:

Arrhenius acid

All of these

Brønsted-Lowry acid

Strong acid

Lewis acid

Correct answer:

All of these

Explanation:

Every Lewis acid is also a Brønsted-Lowry acid, and every Brønsted-Lowry acid is an Arrhenius acid; thus, H2SO4 is all three, since it is an Arrhenius acid: (it dissolves in water to produce a proton). Sulfuric acid is also considered a strong acid, as it full dissociates in water.

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