Work through the list without notes. If you cannot do a statement, follow its link, then come back. Guide = study guide; Practice = practice questions.
Understanding
- I can explain that acid strength depends on how stable the conjugate base is with its negative charge. (Guide: “The one question to ask”)
- I can name the six common strong acids and the strong bases (group 1 and heavier group 2 hydroxides). (Guide: “The common strong acids and strong bases”; Practice Q1)
- I can recognise carboxylic acids as weak acids, and nitrogen bases and carboxylate ions as weak bases. (Guide: “The common strong acids and strong bases”; Practice Q4)
- I can explain why a stronger acid has a weaker conjugate base. (Guide: Worked example 2; Practice Q6)
Skills
- I can find the acidic hydrogens in a structure and say how many protons a molecule can donate. (Guide: “Which hydrogens are acidic?”; Practice Q2)
- I can rank acids that differ in the electronegativity of a central atom. (Guide: Worked example 1)
- I can rank acids that differ in the number of nearby electronegative atoms (inductive effect). (Guide: “Inductive effects”; Practice Q3)
- I can use resonance structures of a conjugate base to explain why an acid is stronger. (Guide: Figure 1; Practice Q5)
- I can calculate Kb from Ka for a conjugate pair and use it to compare base strengths. (Guide: Worked example 2; Practice Q4, Q6)
Reasoning
- I can explain why acid strength increases across a period but HF is the weakest hydrohalic acid down group 17. (Practice Q7)
- I can explain at particle level why NaOH is a strong base but NH₃ is a weak base. (Practice Q6)
- I can write a structure-strength argument that names the feature, states its effect on the conjugate base and links that to acid strength. (Practice Q5, Q7)
All ticked? Move on to Topic 8.7, pH and pKa, or return to the course roadmap.