Weak acid and base equilibria, salt solutions and molecular structure

Learning objectives

Write Ka and Kb expressions, calculate pH and percent ionization for a weak acid or base, and state the assumption used in the approximation

Relate Ka and Kb for a conjugate pair through Kw, and convert between Ka, pKa and acid strength

Predict whether an aqueous salt solution is acidic, basic or neutral by identifying which ion is the conjugate of a weak acid or weak base, and support the prediction with an equation

Explain trends in acid strength using molecular structure: the electronegativity and size of the atom bonded to hydrogen in binary acids, and the number of terminal oxygen atoms in oxyacids

Justify a claim about relative acid strength using experimental evidence such as pH, percent ionization or conductivity of solutions of equal concentration