Comparing concentration with strength
I can use the pH scale to work out concentration differences between solutions relating to their pH, and discuss the differences between strong and weak acids.
Comparing concentration with strength
I can use the pH scale to work out concentration differences between solutions relating to their pH, and discuss the differences between strong and weak acids.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- pH is a logarithmic scale (as hydrogen ion concentration increases by a factor of 10, the pH decreases by 1).
- For a given concentration, a stronger acid contains more H⁺ ions.
- Titration curves can be used to show the change in pH to allow chemists to pinpoint a more accurate end point.
- A strong acid is completely ionised in aqueous solution, a weak acid only partially ionises.
- Titration curves show how the pH changes throughout a neutralisation reaction.
Keywords
Hydrogen ion - A positively charged ion formed when a hydrogen atom loses an electron (H⁺).
PH - The measure of the hydrogen ion (H⁺) concentration of a solution.
Concentration - The amount of solute dissolved in a certain volume of solution.
Strong acid - An acid which fully dissociates to form H⁺ ions in aqueous solution.
Weak acid - An acid which partially dissociates to form H⁺ ions in aqueous solution.
Common misconception
Pupils often confuse the chemistry meaning of strong/weak and concentrated/dilute due to the use of these words in everyday conversation.
Clear definitions of the words are required with practice opportunities to recognise/describe whether the substances are strong or weak acids and if concentrated or dilute.
To help you plan your year 10 chemistry lesson on: Comparing concentration with strength, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 10 chemistry lesson on: Comparing concentration with strength, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
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Explore more key stage 4 chemistry lessons from the Making salts unit, dive into the full secondary chemistry curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Licence
Lesson video
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Starter quiz
6 Questions
Exit quiz
6 Questions
a positive ion formed when a hydrogen atom loses an electron
the measure of hydrogen ion concentration in a solution
the amount of solute dissolved in a certain volume of solution
an acid that fully dissociates to form H⁺ ions in aqueous solution
an acid that partially dissociates to form H⁺ ions in aqueous solution