diff --git a/docs/sch4uz.md b/docs/sch4uz.md index 983a281..0c9e7a0 100644 --- a/docs/sch4uz.md +++ b/docs/sch4uz.md @@ -711,7 +711,47 @@ $$\ce{14 = pH + pOH}$$ ### Acid/base dissociation -In a weak +An equilibrium will be reached when a weak acid or base dissociates/ionises in water. The extent that the acid or base has dissociated/ionised can be quantified with **percent dissociation/ionisation**. +$$\text{% ionisation} = \frac{\text{[acid ionised]}}{\text{[original acid]}}\times 100\%$$ + +!!! note + When performing an approximation assumption in an ICE table, the assumption is also calid if the % ionisation is less than 5%. + +The $K_c$ of acid ionisation/dissociation is known as $K_a$, the **acid dissociation constant**. +$$ +\ce{H2O_{(l)} + HX_{(aq)} <=> H3O+_{(aq)} + X-_{(aq)}}$$ +$$K_a = \ce{\frac{[X-][H3O+]}{[HX]}}$$ + +The $K_c$ of base ionisation/dissociation is known as $K_b$, the **base dissociation constant**. +$$\ce{H2O_{(l)} + X_{(aq)} <=> OH-_{(aq)} + HX+_{(aq)}}$$ +$$K_b = \ce{\frac{[HX+][OH-]}{[X]}}$$ + +!!! example + $$\ce{NH3_{(aq)} + H2O_{(l)} <=> NH4+_{(aq)} + OH-_{(aq)}}$$ + $$K_b = \ce{\frac{[NH4+] [OH-]}{[NH3]}}$$ + +!!! warning + $K_a$ and $K_b$ only apply to acids and bases, respectively. Morphine, a base, does not have a $K_a$, but its conjugate acid does. + +At all temperatures: +$$K_a \times K_b = K_w$$ + +### Acid strength + +A **higher** $K_a$ or $K_b$ indicates that the acid or base is **stronger**, increasing percent ionisation. + +**Strong acids/bases** have an effectively infinite $K_a$/$K_b$ in water, so they are all practically equally strong in water (this may not be true in other solvents). + +As $K_a$ and $K_b$ are inversely correlated, an **increase** in $K_a$ leads to a **decrease** in $K_b$. + +The conjugate acid/base of a **strong** acid/base is effectively infinitely weak such that it does not affect pH at all. + +Contrarily, the conjugate of a **weak** acid/base is measurably weak, strong enough to have $K_a$/$K_b$ that affect the pH and act as an acid or base. + +As $p$ indicates negative log, $\ce{pK_{\{a, b\}}}$ is **inversely** correlated with $\ce{K_{\{a, b\}}}$ so that none of the variables can be directly compared without conversion. + +### Acidity of salt solutions + ## Organic chemistry