Ionic Equilibria

EXERCISE [PAGES 61 - 62]

Exercise | Q 1.1 | Page 61

Choose the most correct answer:
The pH of 10-8 M of HCl is ____________
1. 8
2. 7
3. less than 7
4. greater than 7
Solution: The pH of 10-8 M of HCl is less than 7.
Exercise | Q 1.2 | Page 61
Choose the most correct answer:
Which of the following solution will have a pH value equal to 1.0?
1. 50 mL of 0.1M HCl + 50mL of 0.1M NaOH
2. 60 mL of 0.1M HCl + 40mL of 0.1M NaOH
3. 20 mL of 0.1M HCl + 80mL of 0.1M NaOH
4. 75 mL of 0.2M HCl + 25mL of 0.2M NaOH
Solution: 75 mL of 0.2M HCl + 25mL of 0.2M NaOH
Exercise | Q 1.3 | Page 61
Choose the most correct answer:
Which of the following is a buffer solution?
1. CH3COONa + NaCl in water
2. CH3COOH + HCl in water
3. CH3COOH + CH3COONa in water
4. HCl + NH4Cl in water
Solution: CH3COOH + CH3COONa in water
Exercise | Q 1.4 | Page 61
Choose the most correct answer :
The solubility product of a sparingly soluble salt AX is 5.2 × 10-13. Its solubility in mol
dm-3 is ______.
1. 7.2 × 10-7
2. 1.35 × 10-4
3. 7.2 × 10-8
4. 13.5 × 10-8
Solution: The solubility product of a sparingly soluble salt AX is 5.2 × 10-13. Its solubility
in mol dm-3 is 7.2 × 10-7.
Exercise | Q 1.5 | Page 61
Choose the most correct answer :
Blood in the human body is highly buffered at a pH of ________.
1. 7.4
2. 7.0
3. 6.9
4. 8.1
Solution: Blood in the human body is highly buffered at a pH of 7.4.
Exercise | Q 1.6 | Page 61
Choose the most correct answer :
The conjugate base of [Zn(H2O)4]2⊕ is __________.
1. [Zn(H2O)4]2⊕NH3
2. [Zn(H2O)3]2⊕
3. [Zn(H2O)3OH]⊕
4. [Zn(H2O)H]3⊕
Solution: The conjugate base of [Zn(H2O)4]2⊕ is [Zn(H2O)3OH]⊕.
Exercise | Q 1.7 | Page 61
Choose the most correct answer :
For pH > 7 the hydronium ion concentration would be _________.
1. 10-7M
2. < 10-7M
3. > 10-7M
4. 10-7M
Solution: For pH > 7 the hydronium ion concentration would be < 10-7M .
Exercise | Q 2.01 | Page 61
Answer the following in one sentence :
Why cations are Lewis acids?
 Solution: Cations are electron-deficient species and can accept an electron pair.
Hence, cations are Lewis acids.
Exercise | Q 2.02 | Page 61
Answer the following in one sentence :
Why is KCl solution neutral to litmus?
Solution: KCl, being salt of a strong acid (HCl) and a strong base (KOH), does not
undergo hydrolysis. Hence, the KCl solution is neutral to litmus.
Exercise | Q 2.03 | Page 61
Answer the following in one sentence :
How are basic buffer solutions prepared?
Solution: Basic buffer solutions are prepared by mixing aqueous solutions of a weak
base and its salt with strong acid.
Exercise | Q 2.04 | Page 61
Answer the following in one sentence :
The dissociation constant of acetic acid is 1.8 × 10-5. Calculate percent dissociation of
acetic acid in 0.01 M solution.
Solution:
Given :
• Dissociation constant (Ka) = 1.8×10-5,
• Concentration (c) = 0.01 M
To find :
• Percent dissociation
Formulae :
1. Ka = a2c
2. Percent dissociation = α × 100
Calculation :
Exercise | Q 2.05 | Page 61
Answer the following in one sentence :
Write one property of a buffer solution.
Solution:
Properties of buffer solution:
i. When a small amount of strong acid (or strong base) is added to a buffer solution,
there is no significant change in the value of pH.
ii. The pH of a buffer solution is independent of the volume of the solution. Hence, the
dilution of a buffer solution will not change its pH.
iii. The pH of a buffer solution does not change even if it is kept for a long time.

Exercise | Q 2.06 | Page 61

Answer the following in one sentence :
The pH of a solution is 6.06. Calculate its H⊕ ion concentration.
Solution:
Given:
pH of solution = 6.06
To find:
H+ ion concentration
Formula:
pH = -log10[H3O+]
Calculation:
From formula,
pH = -log10[H3O+]
∴ log10[H3O+] = -pH
= -6.06
= -6 - 0.06 + 1 - 1
= (- 6 - 1) + 1 - 0.06

The H+ ion concentration of the solution is 8.710 × 10-7 M.

Exercise | Q 2.07 | Page 61
Answer the following in one sentence :
Calculate the pH of 0.01 M sulphuric acid.
Solution:
Given: Concentration of sulphuric acid = 0.01 M
To find: pH
Exercise | Q 2.08 | Page 61
Answer the following in one sentence :
The dissociation of H2S is suppressed in the presence of HCl. Name the phenomenon.
Solution:
The phenomenon due to which dissociation of H2S is suppressed in the presence of
HCl is known as the common ion effect.
Exercise | Q 2.09 | Page 61
Answer the following in one sentence :
Why is it necessary to add H2SO4 while preparing the solution of CuSO4?
Solution:
i.
The aqueous solution of CuSO4 is turbid due to the formation of sparingly soluble
Cu(OH)2 by hydrolysis as shown below:

ii.
If H2SO4, that is H3O+ ions are added, the hydrolytic equilibrium shifts to the left.
Turbidity of Cu(OH)2 dissolves to give a clear solution. Hence, it is necessary to add
H2SO4 while preparing the solution of CuSO4.
Exercise | Q 2.1 | Page 61
Answer the following in one sentence :
Classify the following buffers into different types :
a. CH3COOH + CH3COONa
b. NH4OH + NH4Cl
c. Sodium benzoate + benzoic acid
d. Cu(OH)2 + CuCl2
Solution:
Buffer Type
i. CH3COOH + CH3COONa Acidic buffer
ii. NH4OH + NH4Cl Basic buffer
iii. Sodium benzoate + benzoic acid
Acidic buffer

iv. Cu(OH)2 + CuCl2 Basic buffer

Exercise | Q 3.01 | Page 62

Answer the following in brief :
What are acids and bases according to Arrhenius theory?
Solution:
According to Arrhenius theory, acids and bases are defined as follows:
i.
Acid: An acid is a substance that contains hydrogen and gives H+ ions in an aqueous
solution.
e.g.

ii.
Exercise | Q 3.02 | Page 62
Answer the following in brief :
What is meant by conjugate acid-base pair?
Solution:
i. The base produced by accepting the proton from acid is the conjugate base of that
acid.
ii. Similarly, the acid produced when a base accepts a proton is called the conjugate
acid of that base.
iii. A pair of an acid and a base differing by a proton is said to be a conjugate acid-base
pair.

Exercise | Q 3.03 | Page 62

Answer the following in brief :
Label the conjugate acid-base pair in the following reaction:

Solution:

Exercise | Q 3.03 | Page 62

Answer the following in brief :
Label the conjugate acid-base pair in the following reaction:

Solution:

Exercise | Q 3.04 | Page 62

Answer the following in brief :
Write a reaction in which water acts as a base.
Solution:

Exercise | Q 3.05 | Page 62

Answer the following in brief :
Ammonia serves as a Lewis base whereas AlCl3 is Lewis acid. Explain.
Solution:
i.
According to Lewis's theory, an acid is a substance that can accept a share in an
electron pair. In the AlCl3 molecule, the octet of Al is incomplete. Therefore, it can
accept an electron pair to complete its octet. Hence, AlCl3 acts as a Lewis acid.
ii.
According to Lewis's theory, a base is a substance that can donate an electron pair. In
the ammonia (NH3) molecule, the nitrogen atom has one lone pair of electrons to
donate. Hence, NH3 acts as a Lewis base.

Exercise | Q 3.06 | Page 62

Answer the following in brief :
Acetic acid is 5% ionised in its decimolar solution. Calculate the dissociation constant of
acid.
Solution:
Given: Percent dissociation = 5%, Concentration (c) = 1 decimolar
To find: Dissociation constant of acid (Ka)
Formulae:
i. Percent dissociation = α × 100
ii. Ka = α2 c
Calculation:
Using formula (i),
Exercise | Q 3.07 | Page 62
Answer the following in brief :
Derive the relation pH + pOH = 14.
Solution:
Relationship between pH and pOH:
The ionic product of water is given as:
Kw = [H3O+][OH–]

Exercise | Q 3.08 | Page 62

Answer the following in brief :
The aqueous solution of sodium carbonate is alkaline whereas the aqueous solution of
ammonium chloride is acidic. Explain.
Solution:
i.
Sodium carbonate (Na2CO3) is a salt of weak acid H2CO3 and strong base NaOH. When
dissolved in water, it dissociates completely.

ii.
The Na+ ions of salt have no tendency to react with OH− ions of water since the possible
product of the reaction is NaOH, a strong electrolyte.
iii.

iv.
As a result of excess OH− ions produced, the resulting solution of Na2CO3 is alkaline.
v.
Similarly, ammonium chloride (NH4Cl) is salt of strong acid HCl and weak base NH4OH.
When NH4Cl is dissolved in water, it dissociates completely as,
Exercise | Q 3.09 | Page 62
Answer the following in brief :
The pH of a weak monobasic acid is 3.2 in its 0.02 M solution. Calculate its dissociation
constant.
Solution:
Given:
pH of weak monobasic acid = 3.2,
Concentration of solution (c) = 0.02 M
To find: Dissociation constant (Ka)
Formula:
i. pH = -log10[H3O+]
ii. Ka = α2c
Calculation:
From the formula (i),
pH = -log10[H3O+]
∴ log10[H3O+] = -3.2
= - 3 - 0.2 + 1 - 1
= (-3 - 1) + 1 - 0.2

Exercise | Q 3.1 | Page 62

Answer the following in brief :
In NaOH solution [OH-] is 2.87 × 10-4. Calculate the pH of the solution.
Solution:
Given: [OH-] = 2.87×10-4 M
To find: pH of the solution
Formulae:
i. pOH = -log10[OH-]
ii. pH + pOH = 14
Calculation:
From formula (i),
pOH = -log10[OH-]
∴ pOH = -log10[2.87 × 10-4] = -log102.87 - log1010-4
= -log102.87 + 4 = 4 - 0.4579
pOH = 3.5421
From formula (ii),
pH + pOH = 14
pH = 14 - pOH = 14 - 3.5421 = 10.4579,
pH of the solution is 10.4579

Exercise | Q 4.01 | Page 62

Answer the following :
Define the degree of dissociation
Solution:
The degree of dissociation (α) of an electrolyte is defined as a fraction of the total
number of moles of the electrolyte that dissociates into its ions when the equilibrium is
attained.
Exercise | Q 4.01 | Page 62
Answer the following :
Derive Ostwald's dilution law for the CH3COOH.
Solution:
i.
Consider an equilibrium of weak acid CH3COOH that exists in solution partly as the
undissociated species CH3COOH and partly H+ and CH3COO– ions. Then

iii.
Suppose 1 mol of acid CH3COOH is initially present in volume V dm3 of the solution. At
equilibrium, the fraction dissociated would be α, where α is the degree of dissociation of
the acid. The fraction of an acid that remains undissociated would be (1 - α).
vi.
If c is the initial concentration of CH3COOH in mol dm–3 and V is the volume in dm3 mol–
1 then c = 1/V. Replacing 1/V in equation (2) by c,

we get
Equation (5) implies that the degree of dissociation of a weak acid (CH3COOH) is
inversely proportional to the square root of its concentration or directly proportional to
the square root of the volume of the solution containing 1 mol of the weak acid.
Exercise | Q 4.02 | Page 62
Answer the following :
Define pH and pOH.
Solution:

i.

The pH of a solution is defined as the negative logarithm to the base 10, of the
concentration of H+ ions in solution in mol dm–3.

pH is expressed mathematically as

pH = -log10[H+] or pH = -log10[H3O+]

ii.

Similarly, pOH of a solution can be defined as the negative logarithm to the base 10, of
the molar concentration of OH− ions in solution.

pOH = -log10[OH-]

Exercise | Q 4.02 | Page 62

Answer the following :
Derive the relationship between pH and pOH.
Solution:

Relationship between pH and pOH:

The ionic product of water is given as:

Kw = [H3O+][OH-]

Now, Kw = 1×10-14 at 298 K

Thus, [H3O+][OH-] = 1.0 × 10-14

Taking the logarithm of both the sides, we write

log10[H3O+] + log10[OH-] = -14

-log10[H3O+] + {-log10[OH-]} = 14

Now, pH = -log10[H3O+] and pOH = -log10[OH-]

∴ pH + pOH = 14

Exercise | Q 4.03 | Page 62

Answer the following :
What is meant by hydrolysis?
Solution:
Hydrolysis of salt is defined as the reaction in which cations or anions or both ions of a
salt react with ions of water to produce acidity or alkalinity (or sometimes even
neutrality).
Exercise | Q 4.03 | Page 62
Answer the following :
A solution of CH3COONH4 is neutral. why?
Solution:
i.
CH3COONH4 is a salt of a weak acid, CH3COOH (Ka = 1.8 × 10–5), and weak base,
NH4OH (Kb = 1.8 × 10–5). When the salt CH3COONH4 is dissolved in water, it undergoes
hydrolysis:
Exercise | Q 4.04 | Page 62
Answer the following :
The dissociation of HCN is suppressed by the addition of HCl. Explain.
Solution:
i. HCN and HCl both dissociate to produce H+ ions which are common to both.
ii. HCN is a weak electrolyte. It dissociates to a little extent.
Exercise | Q 4.05 | Page 62
Answer the following :
Derive the relationship between the degree of dissociation and dissociation constant in
weak electrolytes.
Solution1:
i. Consider 1 mol of weak base BOH dissolved in V dm3 of solution. The base
dissociates partially as

iii. Let the fraction dissociated at equilibrium is α and that remains undissociated is (1 −
α).
vi. If c is the initial concentration of base in mol dm–3 and V is the volume in dm3 mol–
1 then c = 1/V. Replacing 1/V in equation (2) by c,

we get

The degree of dissociation of a weak base is inversely proportional to square root of its
concentration and is directly proportional to square root of volume of the solution
containing 1 mol of weak base.
Solution2:
i. Consider an equilibrium of weak acid HA that exists in solution partly as the
undissociated species HA and partly H+ and A– ions. Then

iii. Suppose 1 mol of acid HA is initially present in volume V dm3 of the solution. At
equilibrium, the fraction dissociated would be α, where α is the degree of dissociation of
the acid. The fraction of an acid that remains undissociated would be (1 − α).
The equation (5) implies that the degree of dissociation of a weak acid is inversely
proportional to the square root of its concentration or directly proportional to the square
root of volume of the solution containing 1 mol of the weak acid.
Exercise | Q 4.06 | Page 62
Answer the following :
Sulfides of the cation of group II are precipitated in acidic solution (H2S + HCl) whereas
sulfides of cations of group IIIB are precipitated in the ammoniacal solution of H 2S.
Comment on the relative values of the solubility product of sulfides of these.
Solution:
Group II and group IIIB cations are precipitated as their sulphides. However, the
solubility product of sulphides of group II cations is lower than group IIIB cations.
Therefore, for the precipitation of cations of group II, only a small concentration of
sulphide ion is required. This is achieved by passing H2S gas in the presence of strong
electrolyte HCl, which has a common ion (H+) with H2S. Due to the common ion effect,
the dissociation of H2S is suppressed and thus, the concentration of S2- ions decreases.
This results only in the precipitation of sulphides of group II while sulphides of the higher
group remain in solution as they require a higher concentration of S2- ions for
precipitation.
Exercise | Q 4.07 | Page 62
Answer the following :
The solubility of a sparingly soluble salt gets affected in the presence of a soluble salt
having one common ion. Explain.
Solution:
i. The presence of a common ion affects the solubility of a sparingly soluble salt.
ii. Consider, the solubility equilibrium of AgCl,

iii. Suppose AgNO3 is added to the saturated solution of AgCl. The salt AgNO3 being a
strong electrolyte dissociates completely in the solution.

iv. The dissociation of AgCl and AgNO3 produce a common Ag+ ion. The concentration
of Ag+ ion in the solution increases owing to complete dissociation of AgNO3.
v. According to Le-Chatelier's principle, the addition of Ag+ ions from AgNO3 to the
solution of AgCl shifts the solubility equilibrium of AgCl from right to left. The reverse
reaction in which AgCl precipitates is favoured until the solubility equilibrium is re-
established.
vi. However, the value of Ksp remains the same since it is an equilibrium constant. Thus,
the solubility of a sparingly soluble compound decreases with the presence of a
common ion in solution.

Exercise | Q 4.08 | Page 62

Answer the following :
The pH of rainwater collected in a certain region of Maharashtra on a particular day was
5.1. Calculate the H+ ion concentration of the rainwater and its percent dissociation.
Solution:
Given: pH of rainwater = 5.1
To find:
i. H+ ion concentration
ii. Percent dissociation
Formula:
i. pH = -log10[H3O+]
ii. Percent dissociation = α × 100
Calculation: From the formula (i),
pH = -log10[H3O+]
∴ log10[H3O+] = -5.1
= -5 - 0.1 + 1 - 1
= (-5 - 1) + 1 - 0.1

Considering that the pH of rainwater is due to the dissociation of a monobasic strong

acid (HA), we have

Exercise | Q 4.09 | Page 62

Answer the following :
Explain the relation between ionic product and solubility product to predict whether a
precipitate will form when two solutions are mixed?
Solution:

Condition of precipitation:

The ionic product (IP) of an electrolyte is defined in the same way as solubility product
(Ksp). The only difference is that the ionic product expression contains a concentration
of ions under any condition whereas the expression of Ksp contains only equilibrium
concentrations. If,

i. IP = Ksp; the solution is saturated and solubility equilibrium exists.

ii. IP > Ksp; the solution is supersaturated and hence precipitation of the compound will
occur.

iii. If IP < Ksp, the solution is unsaturated and precipitation will not occur.