AP Chemistry : Reactions and Equilibrium

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for AP Chemistry

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Example Questions

Example Question #63 : Acid Base Reactions

Which of the following can act as a Lewis base?

Possible Answers:

NH2NH2

BF3

HF

CH3COOH

Correct answer:

NH2NH2

Explanation:

A Lewis base is an electron-pair donor. N atoms have a valence of 5, and in the NH2NH2 compound, it is only bonded to another N atom and 2 H, so it's only using 3 of its 5 valence electrons to form these bonds. Thus, each nitrogen has a pair of unbonded electrons and can act as a Lewis base.

Example Question #64 : Acid Base Reactions

In the following equation, which is the conjugate base of HClO4?

HClO4 + H2O → ClO4– + H3O+

Possible Answers:

HClO4

H2O

ClO4–

none of the above

H3O+

Correct answer:

ClO4–

Explanation:

The conjugate base of an acid will be the same compound, short one H atom. ClO4– is the only one that meets this criterion.

Example Question #71 : Acid Base Reactions

Which of the following is a Lewis base?

Possible Answers:

CH3CH2CH2CH3

CH2COOH

PH3

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 #72 : Acid Base Reactions

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

Possible Answers:

H2C2O4

HC2O4+

(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 #73 : Acid Base Reactions

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 #4 : P H And Poh Of Strong Acids And Bases

BCl3 is a                     .  

Possible Answers:

Lewis base

Bronsted-Lowry base

Bronsted-Lowry acid

Lewis acid

Arrhenius 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:

AlCl_3

NH_3

HCl

H_2O

H_2SO_4

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 #3 : 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 #961 : Ap Chemistry

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

Possible Answers:

Ammonium bromide

Potassium chloride

Sodium fluoride

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 #74 : Acid Base Reactions

Consider the following chemical reaction.

What phenomena is this responsible for?

Possible Answers:

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

Dry ice

The violent reaction between baking soda and vinegar

None of the available answers

Acid rain

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.

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