CHM2046 Discussion Class Worksheet 5 (February 7, 2017)

Student Name___________________________________________________ Section #__________

1. Write out the equilibrium reaction for the SO32 / HSO3 buffer system, and then label each of the
following statements regarding a SO32 / HSO3 buffer as TRUE or FALSE. If FALSE, explain why.
First, write out the equilibrium reaction for the SO32 / HSO3 buffer system here:
HSO3(aq) + H2O H3O+(aq) + SO32(aq)

Then label each of the following TRUE or FALSE and explain why if false:

(a) the desired buffer pH should be within 1 pH unit from the pKa of H2SO3
FALSE because the pH should be within 1 pH unit from the pKa of HSO3
(b) a relatively high [SO32] increases the ionization of HSO3
FALSE because a high [SO32] will cause the Q of the reaction to be > K, resulting in a decreased
ionization of HSO3
(c) incoming strong acid like HCl(aq) will be consumed by reaction with SO32
TRUE
(d) the optimal buffer will exhibit a ratio of [SO32] / [HSO3] either greater than 10 or less than 0.10
FALSE the ratio should be less than 10 or greater than 0.10
(e) one possible way to prepare this buffer would be a calculated mixture of SO32(aq) and OH(aq)
FALSE these are both Brnsted-Lowry bases
(f) one possible way to prepare this buffer would be a calculated mixture of HSO32(aq) and OH(aq)
TRUE
(g) one possible way to prepare this buffer would be a calculated mixture of SO32(aq) and HCl(aq)
TRUE
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Use the following information to help you answer questions 23 below.
The Ka of H2B = 1.0 x 105 and the Ka of HB = 1.0 x 107 at 25C.

2. Which of the following buffer systems would you most optimally choose to prepare a buffer of
pH = 6.50 ? (1) B2 / H2B (2) B2 / HB (3) HB / H2B (4) HB / HB2 (5) B2 / HB2

3. You have 0.500 g of Na2B (molar mass = 100 g/mol) available to prepare a buffer solution. Into which of
the following aqueous stock solutions would you dissolve the 0.500 g of Na2B in order to prepare 500. mL
of a buffer solution with pH = 6.70 at 25C ? (Assume constant volume during dissolution).
(1) 0.02 M HB (2) 0.02 M H2B (3) 0.03 M HB (4) 0.03 M H2B (5) 0.04 M H2B
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4. Predict the pH of the solution produced when equal volumes of 0.10 M NaCN and 0.10 M HNO3 are
mixed at 25C. (Ka of HCN = 4.0 x 1010) (Hint: what are the new concentrations of ions after mixing?)

pH = 5.35
HCN + H2O H3O+ + CN-
Ka= x^2/.05

HCN + H2O CN- + H3O+

5. Predict the resulting pH if 20.0 mL of 0.100 M NaOH is added to 20.0 mL of 0.100 M (NH4)2SO4
at 25C. (Ka of NH4+ = 5.6 x 1010 and Kb of NH3 = 1.8 x 105). (Hint: Write out a balanced equation for the
reaction first. After the reaction is over, do any remaining ions affect pH? How?)

pH = 9.25
OH- + NH4+ NH3 + H2O
.002 .004 0
-.002 -.002 .002
.002 .002
pH= pKa + log [ NH3/NH4+]

6. Indicate which of the following are (or are not) potential Lewis acids, and why:
NH4+, H2O, H3O+, BeCl2, Ni2+, CH3NH2, CO32

BeCl2, Ni2+ only because these are the only two species above that can have a new coordinate covalent
bond attached to them (i.e., these are the only two species with an empty valence orbital to use for such a
bond). This is a very important concept in CHM2046 (Lewis acids).
7. Which of the following is not a Lewis acid-base reaction?
(1) Ni2+(aq) + 6H2O(l) Ni(H2O)62+(aq)
(2) BF3(g) + F(aq) BF4(aq)
(3) Ca2+(aq) + 2F(aq) CaF2(s)
(4) H+(aq) + H2O(l) H3O+(aq)
(5) SO3(g) + H2O(l) H2SO4(aq)

8. Consider the following reaction and select the false statement below:
SO2(aq) + H2O(aq) H2SO3(aq)
(1) this is a Lewis acid-base reaction
(2) a pi () bond between the S atom and an O atom in SO2 is broken
(3) a coordinate covalent sigma () bond between the S atom in SO2 and the H atom in H2O is formed
(4) a proton (H+) is transferred from the H2O to an O atom in SO2
(5) the product, H2SO3, is a potential Brnsted-Lowry acid that can further react with H2O

Answer option (3) is the false statement. Ive gone over the exact mechanism for this type of reaction in
class, and it is also covered at the end of Chapter 18 in their textbook. They need to know this stuff.

9. Consider the mechanism for the following reaction and select the false statement below:
CO2(aq) + OH(aq) HCO3(aq)
(1) this is a Lewis acid-base reaction
(2) a pi () bond between the C atom and an O atom in CO2 is broken to result in an empty orbital on the
C atom
(3) a coordinate covalent sigma () bond is formed between the C atom in CO2 and the O atom in OH
(4) a proton (H+) is transferred from the OH to an O atom in CO2
(5) the product, HCO3, can serve as a potential Brnsted-Lowry acid or a Brnsted-Lowry base

This is almost the exact same question as #8 but in this case no proton is transferred, so answer option (4)
is the false statement.