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General Chemistry: Acids, Bases & Solutions

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Acid-Base Chemistry

DefinitionAcidBase
ArrheniusProduces H⁺ in waterProduces OH⁻ in water
Brønsted-LowryProton (H⁺) donorProton (H⁺) acceptor
LewisElectron pair acceptorElectron pair donor
pH = −log[H⁺]   |   pOH = −log[OH⁻]   |   pH + pOH = 14
Ka × Kb = Kw = 1.0 × 10⁻¹⁴   |   pKa + pKb = 14

Buffers

Henderson-Hasselbalch: pH = pKa + log([A⁻]/[HA])
Key Point: Buffers work best within ±1 pH unit of pKa. Maximum capacity when [HA] = [A⁻].
Weak acid–strong base titration curve
Weak acid–strong base titration curve

Solutions

Colligative Properties

Depend on number of solute particles, not identity:

PropertyEquationEffect of solute
Boiling point elevationΔTb = iKbmBP increases
Freezing point depressionΔTf = iKfmFP decreases
Osmotic pressureΠ = iMRTCreates osmotic pressure
Vapor pressure loweringP = χ_solvent × P°VP decreases (Raoult's law)
Key Point: van't Hoff factor (i): NaCl → i ≈ 2, CaCl₂ → i ≈ 3, glucose → i = 1

Electrochemistry

Galvanic (voltaic) cell
Galvanic (voltaic) cell
E°cell = E°cathode − E°anode   |   ΔG° = −nFE°
Key Point: AN OX, RED CAT. Anode = oxidation (−), Cathode = reduction (+) in galvanic cells.

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