Strong acids and bases

The strong acids and bases you will be expected to know for the exam are:

Strong acids: perchloric, hydrochloric, hydrobromic, hydroiodic, sulfuric (first Ka), and nitric

Strong bases: any very soluble hydroxide can be considered a strong base, so any first-column hydroxide (LiOH, NaOH, KOH, etc). The second-column hydroxides are usually soluble enough to be considered strong (magnesium hydroxide, calcium hydroxide, barium hydroxide), but I don't expect to make any fine distinctions on those, if I want to use a strong base on the exam it will be either NaOH or KOH.

Keys posted...

The answer keys are posted for last year's exam 3.

Someone asked about the pH range for a good buffer (part of #5 on last year's exam). To be able to make a good buffer, the pH of the buffer should be within 1 unit of the pKa of the weak acid component of the buffer. If the pKa of the weak acid is 5.62, then you can make an effective buffer at any pH between 4.62 and 6.62.

Titrations and flood preparation...

We're into titrations and just touched on buffers. More on that after break. The Tuesday SI session after break has been cancelled. To address the potential flood issues, the University has asked all instructors to provide an addendum to the syllabus for each class. The syllabus addenda for Chem 210 and 210L are below. If you have any questions, let me know. Have a good and safe Spring Break.

Chem 210

In the event of class cancellation or campus closure due to flood, material will be presented online using assorted methods (videos, online notes/lectures, etc.). For information, refer to the class blog (http://msumgenchem.blogspot.com/) and/or Dr. Bodwin’s website (www.mnstate.edu/bodwin). There will continue to be Mastering Chemistry assignments, the exams may be rescheduled or reformatted. Dr. Bodwin will remain in contact via email (bodwin@mnstate.edu).

Chem 210L

In the event of class cancellation or campus closure due to flood, material will be presented online using assorted methods (videos, online notes/lectures, etc.). For information, refer to the class D2L page (https://mnstate.ims.mnscu.edu/shared/login.html) and/or Dr. Bodwin’s website (www.mnstate.edu/bodwin). If more than 1-2 weeks are lost to flood, “at home” experiments will be posted and quizzes/assignment will be posted in D2L. Dr. Bodwin will remain in contact via email (bodwin@mnstate.edu).

Acids and Bases...

We're into acids and bases...

There's a new Mastering Chemistry assignment posted due next Friday.