Chapter 7, Problem 13DQ

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation: The basic nature of conjugate base of a weak acid and the reason of no change in pH of an aqueous solution even in the presence of ${\text{Cl}}^{\text{-}}$ ions needs to be explained.

Concept Introduction: An acid is the substance that gives H+ or ${\text{H}}_{\text{3}}{\text{O}}^{\text{+}}$ ions in its aqueous solution. On the basis of acid dissociation, acids can be classified as strong and weak acid. A strong acid is ionized completely and gives the respective ions.

  ${\text{HA}}_{\text{(aq)}}{\text{ + H}}_{\text{2}}{\text{O}}_{\text{(l) }}\stackrel{}{\to }{\text{H}}_{\text{3}}{\text{O}}^{\text{+}}{}_{\text{(aq)}}{\text{+A}}^{\text{-}}{}_{\text{(aq)}}$

On the contrary, a weak acid ionized partially and reaches to equilibrium.

  ${\text{HA}}_{\text{(aq)}}{\text{ + H}}_{\text{2}}{\text{O}}_{\text{(l) }}\rightleftharpoons {\text{H}}_{\text{3}}{\text{O}}^{\text{+}}{}_{\text{(aq)}}{\text{+A}}^{\text{-}}{}_{\text{(aq)}}$