Name: ________________________

Bronsted Lowry acid base

eqilibria
Class: ________________________

Date: ________________________

Time: 70 minutes

Marks: 67 marks

Comments:

Page 1 of 18
Q1.
This question is about Brønsted–Lowry acids.

(a) Give the meaning of the term Brønsted–Lowry acid.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(1)

(b) What is meant by the term strong when describing an acid?

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(1)

(c) At 298 K, 25.0 cm3 of a solution of a strong monoprotic acid contained 1.45 × 10−3
mol of hydrogen ions.

Calculate a value for the pH of this solution.

Give your answer to 2 decimal places.

pH ___________________
(2)

(d) Calculate the pH of the solution formed after the addition of 35.0 cm3 of 0.150 mol
dm−3 NaOH to the original 25.0 cm3 of monoprotic acid.

The ionic product of water Kw = 1.00 × 10−14 mol2 dm−6 at 298 K.

Give your answer to two decimal places.

pH ___________________
(5)

(e) A buffer solution is made when 1.50 g of sodium hydroxide are added to 1.00 dm3 of
a 0.150 mol dm−3 solution of a weak acid HA.

For HA, the acid dissociation constant, Ka = 1.79 × 10−5 mol dm−3.

Calculate the pH of this buffer solution.

pH ___________________
(6)
(Total 15 marks)

Q2.
Nitric acid (HNO–3) is a strong acid. Ethanoic acid (CH3COOH) is a weak acid.

(a) Write an equation to show how ethanoic acid behaves as a weak acid in its reaction
with water.

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Page 2 of 18
 (1)

(b) When pure ethanoic acid reacts with pure nitric acid, ethanoic acid acts as a base.

Write an equation for this reaction.

___________________________________________________________________
(1)

(c) Two beakers, A and B, each contain 100.0 cm–3 of 0.0125 mol dm−3 nitric acid.

(i) Calculate the pH of the solution formed after 50.0 cm–3 of distilled water are
added to beaker A.
Give your answer to 2 decimal places.

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________
(2)

(ii) Calculate the pH of the solution formed after 50.0 cm3 of 0.0108 mol dm−3
aqueous sodium hydroxide are added to beaker B.
Give your answer to 2 decimal places.

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

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______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________
(4)

(d) A third beaker, C, contains 100.0 cm3 of 0.0125 mol dm−3 ethanoic acid.
The acid dissociation constant Ka for ethanoic acid has the value 1.74 × 10−5 mol
dm−3 at 25 °C.

(i) Write an expression for Ka for ethanoic acid and use it to calculate the pH of
the ethanoic acid solution in beaker C.
Show your working. Give your answer to 2 decimal places.

Ka ___________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

Calculation _____________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

Page 3 of 18
 ______________________________________________________________
(4)

(ii) Aqueous sodium hydroxide is added to beaker C until the pH of the solution
becomes 4.84.

Name the salt formed in the reaction of ethanoic acid with sodium hydroxide.

______________________________________________________________
(1)

(iii) Calculate the value of in the solution with the pH of 4.84.

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________
(3)

(e) Explain why chloroethanoic acid is a stronger acid than ethanoic acid.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(2)

(f) Explain why data books do not usually contain values of Ka for strong acids.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

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___________________________________________________________________
(2)
(Total 20 marks)

Q3.
This question is about several Brønsted–Lowry acids and bases.

(a) Define the term Brønsted–Lowry acid.

Page 4 of 18
 ___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(1)

(b) Three equilibria are shown below. For each reaction, indicate whether the
substance immediately above the box is acting as a Brønsted–Lowry acid (A) or a
Brønsted–Lowry base (B) by writing A or B in each of the six boxes.

(i) CH3COOH + H2 O CH3COO– + H 3 O+

(1)

(ii) CH3NH2 + H2 O CH3NH3+ + OH–

(1)

(iii) HNO3 + H2SO4 H2NO3+ + HSO4 –

(1)

(c) A 25.0 cm3 sample of 0.0850 mol dm–3 hydrochloric acid was placed in a beaker.
Distilled water was added until the pH of the solution was 1.25.

Calculate the total volume of the solution formed. State the units.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(3)

(d) At 298 K, the value of the acid dissociation constant (Ka) for the weak acid HX in
aqueous solution is 3.01 × 10–5 mol dm–3.

(i) Calculate the value of pKa for HX at this temperature.

Give your answer to 2 decimal places.

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

Page 5 of 18
 (1)

(ii) Write an expression for the acid dissociation constant (Ka) for the weak acid
HX.

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________
(1)

(iii) Calculate the pH of a 0.174 mol dm–3 solution of HX at this temperature.

Give your answer to 2 decimal places.

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________
(3)

(e) An acidic buffer solution is formed when 10.0 cm3 of 0.125 mol dm–3 aqueous
sodium hydroxide are added to 15.0 cm3 of 0.174 mol dm–3 aqueous HX.
The value of Ka for the weak acid HX is 3.01 × 10–5 mol dm–3.

Calculate the pH of this buffer solution at 298 K.

Give your answer to 2 decimal places.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

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___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

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Page 6 of 18
 ___________________________________________________________________
(6)
(Total 18 marks)

Q4.
Ammonia and ethylamine are examples of weak Brønsted–Lowry bases.

(a) State the meaning of the term Brønsted–Lowry base.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(1)

(b) (i) Write an equation for the reaction of ethylamine (CH3CH2NH2) with water to
form a weakly alkaline solution.

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________
(1)

(ii) In terms of this reaction, state why the solution formed is weakly alkaline.

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________
(1)

(c) State which is the stronger base, ammonia or ethylamine. Explain your answer.

Stronger base _______________________________________________________

Explanation _________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(3)

(d) Give the formula of an organic compound that forms an alkaline buffer solution
when added to a solution of ethylamine.

___________________________________________________________________
(1)

(e) Explain qualitatively how the buffer solution in part (d) maintains an almost constant
pH when a small amount of hydrochloric acid is added to it.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

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Page 7 of 18
 ___________________________________________________________________
(2)
(Total 9 marks)

Q5.
When iron(II) sulfate is used for killing weeds in lawns, it is often mixed with the fertiliser
ammonium sulfate. Ammonium sulfate also makes the soil acidic.

(a) Write an equation to show how the ammonium ion behaves as a Brønsted–Lowry
acid in water.

___________________________________________________________________
(1)

(b) Compounds such as ammonium sulfate react on warming with sodium hydroxide
solution as shown in the equation below.

(NH4)2SO4 + 2NaOH Na2SO4 + 2NH3 + 2H2O

Use this information to describe a simple test, other than smell, to show that
ammonia is evolved. State what you would observe.

Test _______________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

Observation _________________________________________________________
(2)
(Total 3 marks)

Q6.

Summarised directions for recording responses to multiple completion

questions

A B C D
(i), (ii) and (iii) (i) and (iii) correct (ii) and (iv) correct (iv) alone correct
correct only only only

Brønsted-Lowry acid-base reactions include

(i) OH− + CH3Cl → CH3OH + Cl−

(ii) NH3 + HCl → NH + Cl−

(iii) KF + PF5 → K+ + PF

(iv) H2O + H2O → H3O+ + OH−

(Total 1 mark)

Q7.

Page 8 of 18
In which one of the following reactions is the role of the reagent stated correctly?

Reaction Role of reagent

A TiO2 + 2C + 2Cl2 → TiCl4 + 2CO TiO2 is an oxidising agent

B HNO3 + H2SO4 → H2NO + HSO HNO3 is a Brønsted-Lowry acid

C CH3COCl + AlCl3 → CH3CO+ + AlCl AlCl3 is a Lewis base

D 2CO + 2NO → 2CO2 + N2 CO is a reducing agent

(Total 1 mark)

Page 9 of 18
Mark schemes

Q1.
(a) Proton donor
1

(b) Completely ionises to give H+ ions in water

1

(c) 0.058 mol dm−3

1

1.24
1

(d) Amount of NaOH = 5.25 × 10−3

1

Since 1:1 reaction amount of OH− ions in excess

= 5.25 × 10−3 − 1.45 × 10−3 mol

= 3.80 × 10−3 moles OH−

1

[OH−] = 3.80 × 10−3 × 1000/60 = 0.0633

1

Kw = [H+][OH− so H+ = = 1.58 × 10−13

1

pH = 12.80
1

(e) Amount of OH− added 1.5 / 40 = 0.0375 mol

1

Use of 1:1 ratio to calculate amount of A− formed = 0.0375 mol

1

Amount of weak acid initially = 1 × 0.15 = 0.150 mol so amount of weak acid after
addition of NaOH = 0.150 − 0.0375 = 0.1125
If M3 incorrect can only score max of 3 marks
1

[H+] = Ka [HA]/[A−] or [H+] = 1.79 × 10−5 × 0.1125/0.0375

1

= 5.37 × 10−5
1

pH = 4.27
1
[15]

Q2.

Page 10 of 18
(a) CH3COOH + H2O ⇌ CH3COO- + H3O+

OR

CH3COOH ⇌ CH3COO- + H+
Must show ⇌
Allow CH3CO2H, CH3CO2-
Ignore state symbols
1

(CH3COOH + HNO3 → CH3COOH2+ + NO3-)

IGNORE ⇌
(b)

Allow CH3CO2H, CH3CO2H2+, CH3C+(OH)2

1

(c) (i) ( new [HNO3] = [H+] = × 0.0125 )

M1 [H+] = 8.3(3) × 10-3 (mol dm-3)

OR

new[HNO3] =
1

M2 pH = − log M1 OR 2.08
Must be 2dp
Allow correct pH conseq to their [H+] concentration
1

(ii) M1 mol NaOH (= 50 × 10-3 × 0.0108) = 5.40 × 10-4

1

M2 Subtraction of M1 from moles of HNO3 (1.25 × 10-3 or conseq from 1c(i))

Excess mol H+ = 7.10 × 10-4

M2 allow ecf for subtraction of mol
If no subtraction, no further marks
1

M3 [H+] = = 4.73 × 10-3

M3 if no use of volume, no further marks (pH=3.15)
If incorrect volume used, can score M4
1

M4 pH = -log M3 OR 2.32
M4 Allow 2.33 Must be 2 dp
1

(d) (i) M1 Ka =
Penalise ( ) once here Not [H+][A-] / [HA]

Page 11 of 18
 If Ka expression wrong – Allow correct pH conseq to their
[H+] concentration M4 only
1

M2 Ka = or with numbers or with HA

1

M3 [H+] = [ √(1.74 ×10-5 × 0.0125)] = 4.66 ×10-4

Mark for answer
1

M4 pH = 3.33
Must be 2dp
Allow correct pH conseq to their [H+] concentration
(pH = 3.83 can score M1, M2 and M4)
1

(ii) Sodium ethanoate

Ignore formula
Allow sodium acetate
1

(iii) M1 [H+] = 1.45 × 10-5

Accept 1.445 × 10-5 or 1.4 × 10-5
1

M2

If M1 incorrect CE=0
Inclusion of 0.0125 in calculation can only score M1
1

M3 1.2(0)
Ignore units
1.4 × 10-5 gives 1.24
1

(e) M1 (Electronegative) chlorine withdraws electrons

Allow Cl has negative inductive effect
1

M2 Stabilises/reduces charge on COO-

OR weakens O-H bond

OR makes O-H more polar

Ignore chloroethanoic acid dissociates more readily
Mark independently
1

(f) M1 Strong acids (almost) completely dissociated/ionised

Page 12 of 18
 OR not an equilibrium

OR equilibrium lies far to the right

Cannot have Ka value for a reaction not in equilibrium scores
both marks
1

M2 Ka value for strong acids tends to infinity/is very large

OR can’t divide by zero in Ka
1
[20]

Q3.
(a) Proton donor or H+ donor
Allow donator
1

(b) (i) BB
Both need to be correct to score the mark
1

(ii) AA
Both need to be correct to score the mark
1

(iii) BA
Both need to be correct to score the mark
1

(c) M1 [H+] = 10–1.25 OR 0.05623

1

M2 mol HCl = (25 × 10–3) × 0.0850 (= 2.125 × 10–3)

Mark for Working
1

M3 vol = 0.0378 dm3 or 37.8 cm3

allow 0.0375 – 0.038 dm3 or 37.5 – 38 cm3

Units and answer tied
Lose M3 if total given as (25 + 37.8) = 62.8 cm3
Ignore “vol added = 12.8 cm ” after correct answer
3

(d) (i) 4.52

Must be 2dp
1

(ii) Ka = ignore = but this may score M1 in (d)(iii)

Must have all brackets but allow ( ) Allow HA etc
NO mark for 10–pKa

Page 13 of 18
 1

(iii) M1 Ka = or with numbers

Allow [H+] = √(Ka × [HA]) for M1
1

M2 [H+] = (√(3.01 ×10–5 × 0.174) = √(5.24 ×10–6) )

= 2.29 ×10–3 - 2.3 ×10–3
Mark for answer
1

M3 pH = 2.64 (allow more than 2dp but not fewer)

Allow 1 for correct pH from their wrong [H+]
If square root forgotten, pH = 5.28 scores 2 for M1 and M3
1

(e) M1 mol OH– = (10.0 × 10-3) × 0.125 = 1.25 × 10–3

Mark for answer
1

M2 orig mol HX = (15.0 × 10–3) × 0.174 = 2.61 × 10×3

Mark for answer
1

M3 mol HX in buffer = orig mol HX – mol OH –

Mark for answer

= 2.61 × 10–3 – 1.25 × 10–3 = 1.36 × 10–3

Allow conseq on their (M2 – M1)

([HX] = 1.36 × 10–3/25 × 10–3 = 0.0544)

If no subtraction, max 3 for M1, M2 & M4 (pH = 4.20)
If [H+] = [X–] & √used, max 3 for M1, M2 & M3 (pH = 2.89)
1

M4 mol X– in buffer = mol OH– = 1.25 × 10–3

([X–] = 1.25 × 10–3/25 × 10–3 = 0.05)

May be scored in M5 expression
1

M5 [H+]

If use Ka = no further marks

= OR

(= 3.27 × 10–5)
If either value of HX or X– used wrongly or expression upside
down, no further marks

Page 14 of 18
 1

M6 pH = 4.48 or 4.49 (allow more than 2dp but not fewer)

Do not allow M6 for correct calculation of pH using their [H+]
- this only applies in (d)(iii) - apart from earlier AE
1
[18]

Q4.
(a) Proton acceptor
1

(b) (i) CH3CH2NH2 + H2O CH3CH2NH3+ + OH–

allow eq with or without
allow C2H5NH2 and C2H5NH3+ (plus can be on N or H or 3)
allow RHS as C2H5NH3OH
1

(ii) Mark independently of (b)(i)

Allow
Ethylamine is only partly/slightly dissociated
OR
Ethylamine is only partly/slightly ionized

reaction/equilibrium lies to left or low [OH–] OR little OH– formed

OR little ethylamine has reacted

Ignore “not fully dissociated” or “not fully ionized”
Ignore reference to ionisation or dissociation of water
1

(c) M1 Ethylamine
If wrong no marks in (c)
1

M2 alkyl group is electron releasing/donating

OR alkyl group has (positive) inductive effect

1

M3 increases electron density on N(H2)

OR increased availability of lp

OR increases ability of lp (to accept H(+))

Mark M3 is independent of M2
1

(d) CH3CH2NH3Cl
Or any amine hydrochloride

allow name (ethylammonium chloride or ethylamine hydrochloride) or other halide

for Cl
or a strong organic acid

Page 15 of 18
 NOT NH4Cl
1

(e) Mark independently of (d)

Extra H+ reacts with ethylamine or OH–

Or makes reference to Equilibrium (in (b)(i)) with amine on
LHS
1

OR CH3CH2NH2 + H+ CH3CH2NH3+

OR H+ + OH– H2 O

Equilibrium shifts to RHS

OR ratio [CH3CH2NH3+]/[ CH3CH2NH2] remains almost constant

1
[9]

Q5.
(a) NH4+ → NH3 + H+
Accept multiples.
Accept NH4+ + H2O → NH3 + H3O+
Ignore state symbols, even if incorrect.
1

(b) Test indicator / conc HCl

Do not accept ‘smell’.
Do not accept precipitation reactions of aqueous ammonia.
1

Observation colour for an alkali / white fumes

If wrong test then lose second mark.
1
[3]

Q6.
C
[1]

Q7.
D
[1]

Page 16 of 18
Examiner reports

Q2.
Question (a) was generally well done, but a large number of students did not include a
reversible sign in their equation for dissociation of the weak acid. Part (b) differentiated
well as weaker students failed to show how ethanoic acid could act as a base and accept
a proton.

Part (c)(i) was more straightforward but some students failed to calculate the
concentration of the acid correctly and just used a number of moles. Part (c)(ii)
differentiated well: many students realised a subtraction was needed in the calculation,
but then failed to use the total volume to convert the amount, in moles, of H + ions to a
concentration to calculate the pH.

Part (d)(i) was completed very well with most students gaining either 3 or 4 marks. In part
(d)(iii) a significant number incorrectly used the original amount in moles of acid (0.0125)
in their ratio. Even some of the strongest students struggled with the maths skills required
and a frequent wrong answer was the inverse of 1.20 due to incorrect rearrangement. A
significant number did not work out the hydrogen ion concentration and so lost M1 when
they couldn’t complete the rest of the calculation.

Part (e) differentiated well with full descriptions seen in about a third of the answers and
one mark gained by another third. In part (f) the first mark proved very accessible but the
second proved trickier; many students showed poor maths skills and thought that Ka
would equal 1 or zero.

Q3.
Part (a) was well known, but part (b) was much less well understood. In part (c), most
students scored the first two marks but then failed to use their answers correctly to
calculate the total volume. Some who did not read the question fully, added 25 cm3 to their
correct answer and so lost the final mark.

In part (d)(iii), a significant number could not correctly rearrange the simplified expression
for Kc. A mark was allowed, in this part only, for a correct calculation of pH using their
value of [H+] even if this was not the correct concentration.

In part (e), most scored the first two marks, but many then failed to recognise that, on
adding alkali, the number of moles of acid would have decreased. Others were unable to
rearrange the Ka expression correctly or attempted to use the equation Ka = [H+]2/[HX].

Moles and concentration were often confused and many responses were also badly
presented with little explanation. Such omission makes it difficult for examiners to award
marks in an extended calculation if the answer is wrong.

Q4.
Almost all students scored the mark in part (a), but in the rest of the parts of this question,
there was less good understanding of the chemistry of weak bases and the operation of
basic buffers. There were many incorrect answers in part (b)(i) where ammonia and
ethanol were often given as the products of the reaction. This led to wrong answers to part
(b)(ii). A number of students wrote ‘inductive effect’ in part (c) without any mention of what
this applied to; the final mark was, however, often scored. Part (d) proved to be very
difficult and although, in part (e), many students recognised that the added H + ions would
react with OH– ions in the solution, a large number failed to explain how the buffer would

Page 17 of 18
 respond to this reaction.

Q5.
In this Question most candidates could write a correct equation but a test for ammonia
was unknown to the majority of candidates. A number showed some ingenuity in
suggesting one of the reactions with a transition metal ion from Task 1 but failed to
appreciate that their test would be anything but simple.

Page 18 of 18