2.1 Fundamental Concepts and Definitions

OVERVIEW

The main goal of this module is to learn several definitions important to further discussions of acid-base chemistry.

KEY CONCEPTS

1. The Bronsted and Lewis definitions of acids and bases
2. The meanings of the terms: amphoteric, polyprotic, monoprotic, diprotic, conjugate acid, conjugate base.
3. How the strength of an acid or base differs from its concentration, and how the strength is measured by the ionization constant.
4. The definition and significance of pK_A and pK_B.
5. The concept of the self-ionization of water and K_w.