Acids, Bases, and pH
Here are lecture notes, tutorials, definitions, study guides, tables, self-quizzes and other resources to make those acid-base and pH problems easier.
Acid and Base Definitions
Learn Arrhenius, Bronsted-Lowry, and Lewis definitions of acids and bases. Lists of properties of acids and bases and common examples are provided.
Learn Arrhenius, Bronsted-Lowry, and Lewis definitions of acids and bases. Lists of properties of acids and bases and common examples are provided.
Formulas of Common Acids & Bases
Here are the names and formulas of some of the common acids and bases. Learn how to apply prefixes and suffixes to name the acids and bases.
Here are the names and formulas of some of the common acids and bases. Learn how to apply prefixes and suffixes to name the acids and bases.
Strength of Acids and Bases
Learn about strong and weak acids and bases. Get definitions and examples of each type.
Learn about strong and weak acids and bases. Get definitions and examples of each type.
Balancing Redox Reactions
Get step-by-step instructions for balancing redox reactions for conservation of mass and charge in electrochemistry.
Get step-by-step instructions for balancing redox reactions for conservation of mass and charge in electrochemistry.
Salt Formation Chemistry
Learn about the chemistry behind salt formation, including neutralization and hydrolysis reactions.
Learn about the chemistry behind salt formation, including neutralization and hydrolysis reactions.
Titration Basics - Acids Bases and Buffers
Grasp the basic chemical concepts of titration, a technique used to determine the molarity of an acid or a base.
Grasp the basic chemical concepts of titration, a technique used to determine the molarity of an acid or a base.
Acid-Base Indicators
Learn what an acid-base indicator is and how it works. A table is provided with names of indicators, pH indicator ranges, indicator concentrations in water or alcohol, and colors.
Learn what an acid-base indicator is and how it works. A table is provided with names of indicators, pH indicator ranges, indicator concentrations in water or alcohol, and colors.
Amino Acid Structures
These are the structures for the twenty natural amino acids, plus the general structure for an amino acid.
These are the structures for the twenty natural amino acids, plus the general structure for an amino acid.
Basics of Acids and Bases Quiz
How well do you understand the basic concepts of acids, bases, and pH? Here's a ten question multiple choice and true/false quiz you can take to test yourself.
How well do you understand the basic concepts of acids, bases, and pH? Here's a ten question multiple choice and true/false quiz you can take to test yourself.
Calculating pH
Here is an example of an acid/base problem to calculate the pH of an aqueous solution where the concentration of H[sup]+[/sup] is known.
Here is an example of an acid/base problem to calculate the pH of an aqueous solution where the concentration of H[sup]+[/sup] is known.
Calculating pH of a Strong Acid
Here is an example of an acid/base problem to calculate the pH of a strong acid.
Here is an example of an acid/base problem to calculate the pH of a strong acid.
Calculating pH of a Strong Base
Here is an example of an acid/base problem to calculate the pH of a strong base.
Here is an example of an acid/base problem to calculate the pH of a strong base.
Calculating pH of a Weak Acid
Here is an example of an acid/base problem to calculate the pH of a weak acid solution of known concentration.
Here is an example of an acid/base problem to calculate the pH of a weak acid solution of known concentration.
Colored Soap Bubbles
Make brightly colored pink and blue soap bubbles that won't stain clothing or surfaces.
Make brightly colored pink and blue soap bubbles that won't stain clothing or surfaces.
Disappearing Ink Instructions
Learn how to make blue or red ink that will disappear after exposure to air. Tips for restoring the color and an explanation of the acid-base chemistry of the reaction are also included.
Learn how to make blue or red ink that will disappear after exposure to air. Tips for restoring the color and an explanation of the acid-base chemistry of the reaction are also included.
Do You Add Sulfuric Acid to Water or Water to Sulfuric Acid?
It's important to add sulfuric acid to water and not water to concentrated sulfuric acid. Here's an explanation of why you don't want to make a mistake and some mnemonics that might help you remember how to play it safe in the chemistry lab.
It's important to add sulfuric acid to water and not water to concentrated sulfuric acid. Here's an explanation of why you don't want to make a mistake and some mnemonics that might help you remember how to play it safe in the chemistry lab.
Baggie Chemistry - Experiment with Chemical Reactions
Introduce students to chemical reactions and experimentation using common materials and baggies.
Introduce students to chemical reactions and experimentation using common materials and baggies.
Chemistry Fun with Pennies
Use pennies, nails, and a few simple household ingredients to explore some of the interesting properties of metals. Clean the pennies chemically, make verdigris, and plate the nails with copper.
Use pennies, nails, and a few simple household ingredients to explore some of the interesting properties of metals. Clean the pennies chemically, make verdigris, and plate the nails with copper.
Home and Garden pH Indicators
Here's a list of common household substances and garden plants that can be used as pH indicators. Many of the active molecules, expected color changes, and pH ranges are listed.
Here's a list of common household substances and garden plants that can be used as pH indicators. Many of the active molecules, expected color changes, and pH ranges are listed.
Effect of Acids and Bases on the Browning of Apples
Perform an experiment to observe the effects of acids, bases, and water on the rate of browning of cut apples or other produce.
Perform an experiment to observe the effects of acids, bases, and water on the rate of browning of cut apples or other produce.
How to Make Red Cabbage pH Indicator
Make your own pH indicator solution! Red cabbage juice indicator is easy to make, exhibits a wide range of colors, and can be used to make your own pH paper strips.
Make your own pH indicator solution! Red cabbage juice indicator is easy to make, exhibits a wide range of colors, and can be used to make your own pH paper strips.
Neutralizing an Acid with a Base
This example demonstrates the method used to calculate the amount of an acid of known concentration needed to neutralize a base of known concentration.
This example demonstrates the method used to calculate the amount of an acid of known concentration needed to neutralize a base of known concentration.
pH of Common Chemicals
Here's a table of the pH of several common chemicals. You can use the list to set up color ranges for pH indicators or simply to learn more about acids and bases.
Here's a table of the pH of several common chemicals. You can use the list to set up color ranges for pH indicators or simply to learn more about acids and bases.
pH of Household Products Quiz
Do you know whether common household products are acids or bases? Here's your chance to test your knowledge. Can you answer all ten multiple choice questions correctly?
Do you know whether common household products are acids or bases? Here's your chance to test your knowledge. Can you answer all ten multiple choice questions correctly?
Poinsettia pH Paper
You can make pH indicator from poinsettia flowers, then use the indicator to make your own pH paper test strips.
You can make pH indicator from poinsettia flowers, then use the indicator to make your own pH paper test strips.
Red Cabbage pH Paper
Learn how to make your own pH indicator test strips using red cabbage. This is a fun, safe, and easy chemistry project that you can do at home.
Learn how to make your own pH indicator test strips using red cabbage. This is a fun, safe, and easy chemistry project that you can do at home.
Titration Curves
Titration is a technique used in analytical chemistry to determine the concentration of an unknown acid or base. For all acids, the shape of the graph plotting pH against volume of base titrated fits the same general shapes.
Titration is a technique used in analytical chemistry to determine the concentration of an unknown acid or base. For all acids, the shape of the graph plotting pH against volume of base titrated fits the same general shapes.
Water - Wine - Milk - Beer Chemistry Demo
Here's a color change chemistry demo in which a solution seems to change from water to wine to milk to beer simply be being poured into the appropriate beverage glass.
Here's a color change chemistry demo in which a solution seems to change from water to wine to milk to beer simply be being poured into the appropriate beverage glass.
Water into Wine Demonstration
Turn a clear liquid into a red liquid, then back to clear again. This demonstration is commonly called turning water into wine or blood, and can be used to demonstrate acid-base indicators.
Turn a clear liquid into a red liquid, then back to clear again. This demonstration is commonly called turning water into wine or blood, and can be used to demonstrate acid-base indicators.
What Is the Difference Between Baking Powder & Baking Soda?
Learn about the difference between these two common cooking ingredients, the effect of substitutions, and find out how you can use baking soda to make your own baking powder.
Learn about the difference between these two common cooking ingredients, the effect of substitutions, and find out how you can use baking soda to make your own baking powder.
What Is the Strongest Acid?
Do you know what the strongest acid is? I'll give you a hint. It's not hydrochloric acid nor is it sulfuric acid.
Do you know what the strongest acid is? I'll give you a hint. It's not hydrochloric acid nor is it sulfuric acid.
Why Cut Apples Pears Bananas and Potatoes Turn Brown
Learn why apples, pears, bananas, potatoes, and other fruits and vegetables turn brown when they are cut or damaged.
Learn why apples, pears, bananas, potatoes, and other fruits and vegetables turn brown when they are cut or damaged.
Acids and Bases
Ohio State University provides this test bank for acids and bases. There are separate self-quizzes for several mini-concepts, which are then graded. Correct answers only (not explanations) are provided.
Ohio State University provides this test bank for acids and bases. There are separate self-quizzes for several mini-concepts, which are then graded. Correct answers only (not explanations) are provided.
Acids and Bases
Arrhenius, Bronsted-Lowry, Lewis concepts. From ChemWeb.
Arrhenius, Bronsted-Lowry, Lewis concepts. From ChemWeb.
Acids and Bases Problem Set
Their tutorials carefully explain their example problems. From the University of Arizona.
Their tutorials carefully explain their example problems. From the University of Arizona.
Acid-Base Chemistry
Definitions, explanations, and introduction to titrations. From the Shodor Education Foundation and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Definitions, explanations, and introduction to titrations. From the Shodor Education Foundation and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Acid-Base Equilibria Tutorial
Interactive tutorial allows changing reaction conditions and visualizing changes in proton dissociation. From Abby Parrill, Michigan State University.
Interactive tutorial allows changing reaction conditions and visualizing changes in proton dissociation. From Abby Parrill, Michigan State University.
Acid/Base Tutorials
Principles of titration. From Shane L. Phillips, California State University at Stanislaus.
Principles of titration. From Shane L. Phillips, California State University at Stanislaus.
Acids, Bases, and pH
Brief explanation of some key points. From Anthony Carpi, John Jay College, City University of New York.
Brief explanation of some key points. From Anthony Carpi, John Jay College, City University of New York.
Chemical Equilibria – Acid/Base
Strong and weak acid/base explanations. From Liina Ladon, Towson University.
Strong and weak acid/base explanations. From Liina Ladon, Towson University.
Chemical Equilibrium
Graphing the behavior of mono- and polyprotic acids. From Henry Bungay, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
Graphing the behavior of mono- and polyprotic acids. From Henry Bungay, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
Difference Between Acids & Bases Using Different Indicators
This is a laboratory exercise in which students determine on their own how to classify acids and bases using litmus paper, pH paper, and indicator solution. It is intended for the 7th-8th grade level.
This is a laboratory exercise in which students determine on their own how to classify acids and bases using litmus paper, pH paper, and indicator solution. It is intended for the 7th-8th grade level.
Explanation of Acid-Base Problems
Calculating pH from concentrations of acids/bases. From ChemTutor.
Calculating pH from concentrations of acids/bases. From ChemTutor.
Notes on Acids and Bases
Short descriptions with examples and a Java applet that calculates [H+] and pH. From Gwen Sibert, Roanoke Valley Governor's School.
Short descriptions with examples and a Java applet that calculates [H+] and pH. From Gwen Sibert, Roanoke Valley Governor's School.
pH - Acid/Base Tutorial
Terminology, calculations, titrations, and buffers. From Anthony J. Frisby, Thomas Jefferson University.
Terminology, calculations, titrations, and buffers. From Anthony J. Frisby, Thomas Jefferson University.
Solving an Acid Base Problem
S.E. Van Bramer at Widener University presents this approach to solving acid base problems. He provides detailed instructions for identifying each species, writing out a list of all species present, dealing with the strong acid and strong base, and buffer problems.
S.E. Van Bramer at Widener University presents this approach to solving acid base problems. He provides detailed instructions for identifying each species, writing out a list of all species present, dealing with the strong acid and strong base, and buffer problems.