Acids and bases

Acids: When water is mixed with an acid, the acid donates an H+ ion to the water creating a hydronium ion (H3O+).  Here is a generic equation where the hydrogen dissociates one at a time where HA is the acid:

HA + H2O ⇌ H3O+ + A-

Example: HCl + H2O ⇌ 

For the following, write the equation for the dissociation of the acid.  Acids dissociate only one H+ at a time. You may need to add more equations until all of the hydrogens have dissociated.

  1. HNO2 + H2O ⇌ H3O^+ + NO2^-

Acid Name: Nitrous Acid

  1. H2SO4 + H2O ⇌ 2H3O^+ + SO4^-2

Acid Name: Sulfuric acid

  1. HF + H2O ⇌ H3O^+ + F-

Acid Name: hydrofluoric acid

  1. H3PO4 + H2O ⇌ 3H3O^+ + PO4^-3

Acid Name: Phosphoric acid

  1. H2S + H2O ⇌ 2H2O^+ + S^-

Acid Name: Hydrosulfic acid

  1. HClO2 + H2O ⇌ H3O^+ + ClO2^-

Hint:  Dissociate only one Hydrogen from the acid.

Acid Name:

Bases: When water is mixed with a base, then the base accepts a hydrogen ion (H+) from the water creating a hydroxide ion (OH-).

B- + H2O ⇌ OH- + HB

Example: NH3 + H2O ⇌

For the following, write the equation for the formation of the base. 

  1. NO2- + H2O ⇌ HNO2 + OH

  2. Br- + H2O ⇌ HBr + OH

  3. CO32- + 3H2O ⇌ H2CO3 + 3OH

  4. SO42- + 2H2O ⇌ H2SO4 + 2OH

  5. PO43- + 3H2O ⇌ H3PO4 + 3OH

  6. ClO2- + 2H2O ⇌ H2ClO + 2OH

Last update: June 5, 2023
Created: June 5, 2023