What is Alkalinity?
Introduction | Assignments | Grading |
Alkalinity is defined as the acid neutralizing capability of a system. For a system with only carbonate, the alkalinity is defined by the following equation: In this equation all the inorganic species of carbon that can neutralize a proton are included. The factor of two for carbonate is due to its ability to consume two moles of protons for every mole of carbonate.
1. Show that the alkalinity of a beaker of water exposed to carbon dioxide is equal to zero.
2. What is the alkalinity of a closed beaker with 0.1 M Na2CO3?
3. Borate (B(OH)4-) is a significant component of sea water. Draw the Lewis structure of borate and write an acid base reaction of borate with water. Modify the equation for alkalinity to include borate. Is it reasonable to classify B(OH)4 as a Bronsted-Lowry base? |
Last Updated April 13, 2009
Webmaster: Howard Drossman, hdrossman@ColoradoCollege.edu
©copyright 2009 Colorado College Environmental Science Program