Writing Reactions: Acid/Base Balanced Reactions

  • Thread starter Thread starter d.tran103
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Reactions
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around writing balanced acid-base reactions, specifically identifying which reactant acts as the acid and which as the base. Participants explore the principles behind these classifications and the implications for writing balanced equations.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • One participant presents the reaction HF(aq) + H2O(l) and identifies HF as the acid and H2O as the base, questioning how to determine the products H3O+(aq) and F-(aq) and whether the states of matter affect the reaction.
  • The same participant also presents NH3(aq) + H2O(l) and expresses uncertainty about how to predict the products NH4+(aq) and OH-(aq).
  • Another participant suggests that understanding the structure and properties of elements and compounds is necessary to predict reactions effectively.
  • There is a repeated inquiry about whether identifying the acid or base should be based on the strength of the acids and bases involved.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express uncertainty about the process of determining which reactant behaves as an acid or base, and there is no consensus on how to approach writing balanced reactions or the role of reactant states in this context.

Contextual Notes

Participants do not clarify specific assumptions regarding the definitions of acids and bases or the criteria for determining their strengths, leaving these aspects unresolved.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be useful for students learning about acid-base reactions, particularly those seeking to understand the principles of writing balanced chemical equations in the context of their coursework.

d.tran103
Messages
39
Reaction score
0
Okay, I'm reviewing how to write reactions to determine which reactant should behave as the acid and which should behave as the base. I haven't seen this material in over a year and am actually trying to help someone out with a class. I know the ionic charge should balance on both sides.

1) HF(aq) + H2O(l) <---> H3O+(aq) + F-(aq)
I know that the acid is HF and its conjugate base is F-, while H2O is the base and H3O is its conjugate acid. My problem here is knowing how to write the balanced reaction. How am I supposed to know that it yields H3O+(aq) + F-(aq)? For example, I could see it going to OH- + H2F+ as well. Does the state (gas,solid,liquid, etc.) have any importance?

2) NH3(aq) +H2O(l)<--->NH4+(aq)+OH-(aq)
H2O is the acid and OH- is its conjugate base. NH3 is the base and NH4+ is its conjugate acid. I'm having the same problem here. How do I know what NH3 and H2O is supposed to yield?

Thanks!
 
Chemistry news on Phys.org
Do I have to figure out which reactant will behave as the base or acid first? And would this be based off of strong/weak acids/bases?
 
You need to study structure and properties of various elements and compounds. Once you know how a particular element/compound behaves you can predict reactions
 
d.tran103 said:
Do I have to figure out which reactant will behave as the base or acid first? And would this be based off of strong/weak acids/bases?

Yes & yes.
 
Okay thanks!
 

Similar threads

How does a buffer actually work?
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Chemistry Understanding how to calculate pH of a buffer solution
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
Chemistry How to take into account autoprotolysis in weak base solution?
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
3K
Chemistry Book seems to say that we can have weak acid and weak conjugate base
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
How do I find conversions for a reaction with phosphoric acid?
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
How Do I Solve Double Displacement Reactions for Chemistry Homework?
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
3K
Chemistry How to calculate pH at equivalence point using this alternative?
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
Can someone help me out with understanding inorganic chem?
  • · Replies 17 ·
Replies
17
Views
3K
A question about the special case of calcium hydroxide
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
3K
Chemistry Comparing methods of computing pH at equivalence point in titration
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K