Acid-dissociation constant Arrhenius definitions

The Arrhenius Acid-Base Definition The Acid-Dissociation Constant (KJ Relative Strengths of Acids and Bases... 

Acids and bases are essential substances in home, industry, and the environment. In aqueous solution, water combines with the proton released from an acid to form the hydrated species represented by HgO laq). In the Arrhenius definition, acids contain H and yield HaO in water, bases contain OH and yield OH in water, and an acid-base reaction (neutralization) is the reaction of and OH to form HgO. Acid strength depends on [HaO" ] relative to [HA] in aqueous solution. Strong acids dissociate completely and weak acids slightly. The extent of dissociation is expressed by the acid-dissociation constant, K. Weak acids have values ranging from about 10 to 10 . Many acids and bases can be classified qualitatively as strong or weak based on their formulas. 

Arrhenius Acid-Base Definition Acid-Dissociation Constant (K,)... 

The lower the value of this constant, the larger the deferences in acidity indices (pH) between the standard solutions of strong acids and bases, that results in a wider acid-base range for the solvent. This refers not only to the acid-base equilibria in aqueous solutions but also applies to any donor-acceptor interaction in molecular solvents which are prone to heterolytic dissociation with the formation of acidic and basic particles, as provided by an appropriate definition of acids and bases. It follows from equations (1.1.3) and (1.1.4) that the Arrhenius definition can only be used for the description of acid-base interactions in aqueous solutions, since the reaction between the acid of solvent and the base of solvent can result in the formation only of the solvent molecules. In the case considered, this solvent is water. 

HX-f H20=F H30 -fX-The ion HaO is the oxonium ion (or hy-droxonium ion or hydronium ion). This definition of acids comes from the Arrhenius theory. Such acids tend to be corrosive substances with a sharp taste, which turn litmus red and give colour changes with other indicators. They are referred to as protonic acids and are classified into strong acids, which are almost completely dissociated in water (e.g. sulphuric acid and hydrochloric acid), and weak acids, which are only partially dissociated (e.g. ethanoic acid and hydrogen sulphide). The strength of an acid depends on the extent to which it dissociates, and is measured by its dissociation constant. See also base. 

Arrhenius and Ostwald played very important roles in the early studies on add-base catalysis, one century ago. Arrhenius contributed to the definition of acids and bases, and established the dependence between the rate constants and the temperature. Additionally, he also formulated an electrolytic theory of dissociation that ultimately led to him receiving the 1903 Nobel Prize in Chemistry. Ostwald proposed useful definitions of catalysis and classifications of catalysts, but he was unable to develop a satisfactory theory of these effects. This is not surprising, in view of the very limited knowledge of the mechanisms of catalysis at his time, and of the lack of understanding of how molecular properties can influence the rates of reactions. Nevertheless, his seminal work on catalysis was rewarded by him receiving the 1909 Nobel Prize in Chemistry. 

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