High School Chemistry : Definitions of Acids and Bases

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for High School Chemistry

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Example Questions

Example Question #11 : Acid Base Chemistry

What is a triprotic acid?

Possible Answers:

An acid that donates an electron pair

An acid with one ionizable hydrogen

An acid with three ionizable hydrogens

An acid with two ionizable hydrogens

An acid that accepts an electron pair

Correct answer:

An acid with three ionizable hydrogens

Explanation:

Acids have hydrogen ions and balanced charges. "Tri" tells us that the acid has three potential hydrogen ions. Once ionized, a hydrogen turns into a proton, hence, protic. An example of a triprotic acid is phosphoric acid 

Example Question #12 : Acid Base Chemistry

What is a monoprotic acid?

Possible Answers:

Any acid with more than 2 ionizable hydrogens

An acid with three ionizable hydrogens

An acid with two ionizable hydrogens

A really weak base

An acid with one ionizable hydrogen

Correct answer:

An acid with one ionizable hydrogen

Explanation:

Acids have hydrogens that can dissociate into solution. In this case, the word "mono" tells us that there is only one potential hydrogen ion in that acid; so only one hydrogen ion can be ionized from that acid. A diprotic acid, such as  has two ionizable hydrogens.

Example Question #13 : Acid Base Chemistry

What is a polyprotic acid?

Possible Answers:

An acid that increases the concentration of hydrogen ions in a solution

An acid with one ionizable hydrogen

An acid with two ionizable hydrogens

An acid with three ionizable hydrogens

Any acid with more than two ionizable hydrogens

Correct answer:

Any acid with more than two ionizable hydrogens

Explanation:

By definition, a polyprotic acid is one that has more than two ionizable hydrogens.

Example Question #14 : Acid Base Chemistry

Which of the following substances are amphoteric?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Remember: amphoteric means that the substance can act as either an acid or a base. Using the Bronsted-Lowry definition of acids and bases (acids donate hydrogens and bases accept hydrogens) we find that  is the only compound that can give up a hydrogen (and be left with ), or accept a hydrogen (and become ).

Example Question #15 : Acid Base Chemistry

According to the Arrhenius definition __________.

Possible Answers:

bases increase the concentration of hydroxide ions in a solution

bases accept electron pairs

acids are hydroxide donors

acids increase the concentration of hydroxide ions in a solution

acids accept electron pairs

Correct answer:

bases increase the concentration of hydroxide ions in a solution

Explanation:

According to the Arrhenius definition, bases increase the concentration of hydroxide ions in a solution.

Example Question #16 : Acid Base Chemistry

According to the Arrhenius definition, acids __________.

Possible Answers:

Acids are proton acceptors

Acids are hydrogen donors

Acids are hydroxide donors

Acids increase the concentration of hydroxide ions in a solution

Acids increase the concentration of hydrogen ions in a solution

Correct answer:

Acids increase the concentration of hydrogen ions in a solution

Explanation:

According to the Arrhenius definition, acids increase the concentration of hydrogen ions in a solution.

Example Question #14 : Acid Base Chemistry

What is the Bronsted-Lowry definition of acids?

Possible Answers:

Acids are electron pair donors

Acids are electron pair acceptors

Acids are hydrogen donors

Acids are hydrogen acceptors

Acids are amphoteric

Correct answer:

Acids are hydrogen donors

Explanation:

According to the Bronsted-Lowry definition, acids are hydrogen donors.

Example Question #422 : High School Chemistry

What is the definition of a Bronsted-Lowry base?

Possible Answers:

Electron pair acceptors

Hydrogen donors

Electron pair donors

Hydrogen acceptors

Increases the concentration of hydrogen ions in a solution

Correct answer:

Hydrogen acceptors

Explanation:

According to the Bronsted-Lowry definition, bases are hydrogen acceptors.

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