CH 223 Chapter Guides

Chapter Guide Three: Overview | Resources | Practice


  Overview of Chapter Guide Three

We will extend the investigations of Chapter 14 Part I to the concept of titrations, or how acids and bases interact when placed together. Scientists use a variety of equations to determine the pH after certain volumes of titrant have been added, and we'll learn how to accomplish this goal. Along the way we will learn about the common ion effect and how it relates to buffers. Chapter 14 Part II takes Chapter 14 Part I a step further by exploring in detail the interactions of acids and bases together. A titration is when a solution of strong acid is added slowly to a solution of unknown base; bases can also be added to acids. We shall explore in detail the different types of interactions possible, and we will be able to plot the pH for many titrations as a function of titrant volume in order to determine the unknown acid (or base) strength, Ka, molar mass, etc. We will also explore the concept of buffers and delve into the powerful Henderson-Hasselbalch equation.

For a complete list of important concepts, see the Chapter 14 Part II Study Guide.


  Resources for Chapter Guide Three

For this module, you should read Chapter 14 Part II in your textbook.

The following screencasts might prove useful to you as you study this chapter.

The Chapter Fourteen Part II lecture notes which accompany this lesson will be helpful to you when going through this section. These are Web versions of the lecture notes I use in my "normal" CH 223 class and should let you see what is important to me in this chapter. You can also view the Lecture Notes in presentation software: Keynote, PowerPoint

A variety of handouts are available from Chapter Fourteen Part II. Feel free to explore all of them or just

Once you have mastered the concepts listed above, check out the Chapter Fourteen Part II Concept Guide for a series of worked problems relating to this chapter. They will help you to ensure the mastery of the knowledge from this chapter.

Finally, test yourself (and get extra-credit in the bargain!) on the following chemistry concepts. If you get 9 out of 10 correct (or some multiple thereof), submit the information to me to receive extra credit.

  1. Titrations of Weak Acids
  2. Properties of Buffers
  3. Composition of Buffers

  Practice the Concepts of Chapter Guide Three

Please complete problem set #3 to further explore buffers and titrations. Problem set #3 covers several questions from Chapter 14 Part II and it can be found here. We will discuss problems like these during recitation, so come prepared to ask and answer questions.

For additional practice, try completing practice problem set #3 (with answers included at the end) and/orthe non-assigned problems in Chapter 14 Part II (and Chapter 14 Part I). Answers to many of those problems are listed in the back of your textbook.

If you need assistance on these problems, you have several options. You can visit the AVID / Learning Success Center located above the MHCC library on the Mt. Hood Community College campus; they have tutors available to help you with your chemistry homework. You can also contact me if you have any questions.

Test your mastery of the subject matter by trying the self quiz for Chapter 14 Part II. This is an ungraded test that you can use to gauge your comfort level with these concepts. This sample Quiz #3 (answers) (which was given during a previous year's CH 223 class) will help you understand the kind of questions that will be asked on the quiz.


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