What is the effect of adding a strong acid to a reaction at equilibrium involving a weak base?
Practice Questions
1 question
Q1
What is the effect of adding a strong acid to a reaction at equilibrium involving a weak base?
Shifts equilibrium to the right
Shifts equilibrium to the left
No effect on equilibrium
Increases reaction rate
Adding a strong acid increases the concentration of H+ ions, which can react with the weak base, shifting the equilibrium to the left to favor the formation of reactants.
Questions & Step-by-step Solutions
1 item
Q
Q: What is the effect of adding a strong acid to a reaction at equilibrium involving a weak base?
Solution: Adding a strong acid increases the concentration of H+ ions, which can react with the weak base, shifting the equilibrium to the left to favor the formation of reactants.
Steps: 6
Step 1: Understand that a reaction at equilibrium has both reactants and products present in certain concentrations.
Step 2: Identify that a weak base is a substance that does not completely dissociate in water and can accept protons (H+ ions).
Step 3: Recognize that adding a strong acid increases the concentration of H+ ions in the solution.
Step 4: Realize that the added H+ ions can react with the weak base, forming its conjugate acid.
Step 5: Apply Le Chatelier's Principle, which states that if a system at equilibrium is disturbed, it will shift to counteract the disturbance.
Step 6: Conclude that the reaction will shift to the left (toward the reactants) to reduce the concentration of the added H+ ions, favoring the formation of reactants.
