(Image removed from quote.)
Hi! I think I'm just a wreck right now but if someone could explain this to me I would really appreciate it! Like I thought because strong acids ionise more H+ ions, that means they would need more base (i.e more OH ions) to neutralise but I guess not
The NaOH drives the reaction to completion.
Recall that only the reaction between a weak base and an weak acid is reversible, i.e. it goes into equilibrium. The presence of at least one of a strong acid, or a strong base, will force the reaction to go to the end.
This is because, in the case that both substances are partially ionised (weak), there's only so many H
+ and OH
- to react. So this system will stabilise out. Whereas if you have something strong, the NaOH here, the presence of the OH
- ions will continuously drive the equilibrium (by LCP) so that the reaction ultimately goes to completion.
We note that the concentration of NaOH and both the volume AND concentration of the acids have been fixed. So the fact that we have all those OH
- there from the NaOH will drive the reaction regardless of the acids. Hence, if the same outcome is to be achieved, the last thing to be fixed is the volume of NaOH.
is petroleum an example of a fossil fuel?
Yes