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Weak bases

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Intro to Chemistry

Definition

Weak bases are substances that partially ionize in water, producing a relatively small number of hydroxide ions ($OH^-$). They have a higher $pH$ compared to strong acids but do not completely dissociate in solution.

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5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

  1. Weak bases have a $K_b$ (base dissociation constant) value less than 1, indicating partial ionization.
  2. Common examples include ammonia ($NH_3$) and methylamine ($CH_3NH_2$).
  3. The $pH$ of weak base solutions is typically between 7 and 10.
  4. In chemical reactions, weak bases often react with weak acids to form buffers.
  5. Titration curves for weak bases show a gradual slope rather than a sharp change.

Review Questions

  • What distinguishes a weak base from a strong base?
  • Give two examples of common weak bases and their chemical formulas.
  • Describe the behavior of weak bases in aqueous solutions in terms of ionization.

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