IB DP Chemistry Topic 8.4 Strong and weak acids and bases SL Paper 1

Question

For equal volumes of \({\text{1.0 mol}}\,{\text{d}}{{\text{m}}^{ – 3}}\) solutions of hydrochloric acid, HCl(aq), and methanoic acid, HCOOH(aq), which statements are correct?

I.     HCl dissociates more than HCOOH

II.     HCl is a better electrical conductor than HCOOH

III.     HCl will neutralize more NaOH than HCOOH

A.     I and II only

B.     I and III only

C.     II and III only

D.     I, II and III

▶️Answer/Explanation

A

HCl is strong acid and HCOOH is a weak acid. HCl dissociates more than HCOOH and it is a better electrical conductor than HCOOH.

 Both strong acids and weak acids require equal moles of alkali for neutralization.

Question

When equal volumes of four \({\text{0.1 mol}}\,{\text{d}}{{\text{m}}^{ – 3}}\) solutions are arranged in order of increasing pH (lowest pH first), what is the correct order?

A.     \({\text{C}}{{\text{H}}_{\text{3}}}{\text{COOH}} < {\text{HN}}{{\text{O}}_{\text{3}}} < {\text{C}}{{\text{H}}_{\text{3}}}{\text{C}}{{\text{H}}_{\text{2}}}{\text{N}}{{\text{H}}_{\text{2}}} < {\text{KOH}}\)

B.     \({\text{HN}}{{\text{O}}_{\text{3}}} < {\text{C}}{{\text{H}}_{\text{3}}}{\text{COOH}} < {\text{C}}{{\text{H}}_{\text{3}}}{\text{C}}{{\text{H}}_{\text{2}}}{\text{N}}{{\text{H}}_{\text{2}}} < {\text{KOH}}\)

C.     \({\text{C}}{{\text{H}}_{\text{3}}}{\text{C}}{{\text{H}}_{\text{2}}}{\text{N}}{{\text{H}}_{\text{2}}} < {\text{HN}}{{\text{O}}_{\text{3}}} < {\text{C}}{{\text{H}}_{\text{3}}}{\text{COOH}} < {\text{KOH}}\)

D.     \({\text{KOH}} < {\text{C}}{{\text{H}}_{\text{3}}}{\text{C}}{{\text{H}}_{\text{2}}}{\text{N}}{{\text{H}}_{\text{2}}} < {\text{C}}{{\text{H}}_{\text{3}}}{\text{COOH}} < {\text{HN}}{{\text{O}}_{\text{3}}}\)

▶️Answer/Explanation

B

KOH is a strong base, it has highest pH. {\text{C}}{{\text{H}}_{\text{3}}}{\text{C}}{{\text{H}}_{\text{2}}}{\text{N}}{{\text{H}}_{\text{2}}} is weaker base it has second highest pH. {\text{C}}{{\text{H}}_{\text{3}}}{\text{COOH}} is a weak acid, it has third highest pH and \({\text{HN}}{{\text{O}}_{\text{3}}} being strong acid will have lowest pH. 

Question

Which list contains only strong acids?

A.     \({\text{C}}{{\text{H}}_{\text{3}}}{\text{COOH, }}{{\text{H}}_{\text{2}}}{\text{C}}{{\text{O}}_{\text{3}}}{\text{, }}{{\text{H}}_{\text{3}}}{\text{P}}{{\text{O}}_{\text{4}}}\)

B.     \({\text{HCl, HN}}{{\text{O}}_{\text{3}}}{\text{, }}{{\text{H}}_{\text{2}}}{\text{C}}{{\text{O}}_{\text{3}}}\)

C.     \({\text{C}}{{\text{H}}_{\text{3}}}{\text{COOH, HN}}{{\text{O}}_{\text{3}}}{\text{, }}{{\text{H}}_{\text{2}}}{\text{S}}{{\text{O}}_{\text{4}}}\)

D.     \({\text{HCl, HN}}{{\text{O}}_{\text{3}}}{\text{, }}{{\text{H}}_{\text{2}}}{\text{S}}{{\text{O}}_{\text{4}}}\)

▶️Answer/Explanation

D

\({\text{HCl, HN}}{{\text{O}}_{\text{3}}}{\text{, }}{{\text{H}}_{\text{2}}}{\text{S}}{{\text{O}}_{\text{4}}}\) are strong acids. 

\({\text{C}}{{\text{H}}_{\text{3}}}{\text{COOH, }}{{\text{H}}_{\text{2}}}{\text{C}}{{\text{O}}_{\text{3}}}{\text{, }}{{\text{H}}_{\text{3}}}{\text{P}}{{\text{O}}_{\text{4}}}\) are weak acids.

Question

Which of the following are weak acids in aqueous solution?

I.     \({\text{C}}{{\text{H}}_{\text{3}}}{\text{COOH}}\)

II.     \({{\text{H}}_{\text{2}}}{\text{C}}{{\text{O}}_{\text{3}}}\)

III.     HCl

A.     I and II only

B.     I and III only

C.     II and III only

D.     I, II and III

▶️Answer/Explanation

A

Weak acids are acids that do not entirely ionize in solution or have a low concentration of the H+ ion. Example-Oxalic acid, Acetic acid, Carbonic acid.

Strong acids are those that ionize entirely in solution or have a large concentration of the H+ ion. Example-Sulfuric acid, Hydrochloric acid.

\({\text{C}}{{\text{H}}_{\text{3}}}{\text{COOH}}\) and \({{\text{H}}_{\text{2}}}{\text{C}}{{\text{O}}_{\text{3}}}\) are weak acids as do not entirely ionize in solution or have a low concentration of the H+ ion.

Question

An example of a strong acid solution is perchloric acid, \({\text{HCl}}{{\text{O}}_{\text{4}}}\), in water. Which statement is correct for this solution?

A.     \({\text{HCl}}{{\text{O}}_{\text{4}}}\) is completely dissociated in the solution.

B.     \({\text{HCl}}{{\text{O}}_{\text{4}}}\) exists mainly as molecules in the solution.

C.     The solution reacts only with strong bases.

D.     The solution has a pH value greater than 7.

▶️Answer/Explanation

A

Strong acid releases H+ in water and is completely dissociated in the solution.

\({\text{HCl}}{{\text{O}}_{\text{4}}}\) will form H+ and ClO4 ions.

Strong acids can react with weak bases also. 

The solution would be acidic and have a pH value less than 7.

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