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| Home > JCE Print > Journal of Chemical Education > Issues >
2000
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July
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Chemistry for Everyone
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Applications and Analogies
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Weak vs Strong Acids and Bases: The Football Analogy
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Todd P. Silverstein
Chemistry Department, Willamette University, Salem, OR 97301-3922
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July 2000
Vol. 77 No. 7
p. 849
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| Abstract |
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An important topic in any introductory chemistry course is that of
acids and bases. Students generally have no trouble learning the
Brønsted-Lowry definition of an acid as a proton donor and a base as
a proton acceptor. Problems often arise, however, when chemistry teachers
attempt to explain the difference between weak and strong acids, and
between weak and strong bases. For acids in aqueous solution, discussing
complete in contrast to partial ionization works well for those with a
strong grasp of the equilibrium concept, but for many students it does
not seem to do the trick. Partial ionization may not evoke much in the
mind of a "visual learner". Accordingly, I have developed a football
analogy for acids and bases in which acids are compared to quarterbacks,
whose job is to get rid of the ball (H+). A strong acid, like
an excellent quarterback, delivers the ball effectively; a weak acid,
like a poor quarterback, is often left holding the ball. Furthermore,
bases may be likened to wide receivers, whose job is to catch and hold
onto the ball (H+). A strong base, like an excellent wide
receiver, holds onto the ball; a weak base, like a poor receiver, often
drops the ball. The concept of throwing and catching a ball is easy to
visualize and the analogy to acids and bases can help even students
unfamiliar with the mores of the gridiron to comprehend the mores of
aqueous protons.
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| More Information |
 Citation |
Silverstein, Todd P. J. Chem. Educ. 2000 77 849.
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Keywords |
Acid-Base Chemistry; Introductory / High School Chemistry; Aqueous Solution Chemistry; Water / Water Chemistry
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History |
Created:
Last Updated: |
June 2, 2000
April 15, 2005
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| Home > JCE Print > Journal of Chemical Education > Issues >
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