Lesson Plan

Lesson: The Base Dissociation Constant

Aim :

To study the dissociation of a weak base.

Learning Outcomes :

At the end of the lesson, students will be able to :

1. define strong and weak bases.

2. define base dissociation constant, Kb.
3. calculate Kb, the concentration of OH- and the pH of a base.
4. compare the strength of bases using Kb and pKb values.

Assumed prior knowledge :

Students should already be familiar with :

1. the Brønsted-Lowry theory of acids and bases.
2. the term conjugate acid.
3. the definition of a strong base.
4. the definition of pH.

5. the term degree of dissociation, α.

Underlying Principles

1. Making the invisible, visible.

2. Enabling students to know what to look for.

Time taken to complete the activities : 80 minutes

Differentiation

Questions in the student notes are designed to enable all students to complete the activity.
The pop-up answers are provided for the students to view when they have considered their
responses. Worksheet questions include questions that require recall, understanding and
application of the new concepts learned.

© 2003 Ministry of Education Malaysia. All Rights Reserved. Page 1 of 4

Development of Lesson :

No. Steps Strategy Resources

1 Set Induction. • Teacher to quiz students to ensure that

(Ascertaining prior they have the necessary background
knowledge and knowledge.
introducing lesson
topic for the day).

2 Student Activity Teacher to go through Activities 1 - 4 with • Courseware

the students.

• Activity 1 : Strong and weak bases

Students get to compare the difference

between a strong and a weak base in
terms of their degree of dissociation in
water.

• Activity 2 : Degree of dissociation, α

Students are led to discover how the

degree of dissociation of a base changes
with increased dilution.

• Activity 2 : Base dissociation constant,

Kb

Students are shown how the base

dissociation constant, Kb is derived from
the equilibrium constant of its dissociation
reaction in water. They are also shown
how to calculate the pH and the Kb value
of a weak base.

• Activity 4 : pKb
Students are taught the definition of pKb.

3 Evaluation • Students to answer questions in the • Worksheet

student worksheet on their own.

4 Extension activity • Students to go through the extension • Websites

activities on their own. • Reference
books.

© 2003 Ministry of Education Malaysia. All Rights Reserved. Page 2 of 4

Worksheet answers

1. Strong and weak bases

1.1 No.
The degree of ionisation of a 0.01 mol dm−3 NH3 solution is higher. The degree of
ionisation of a weak base increases with dilution.

2. Degree of dissociation, α

2.1 [OH-] = cα
= 0.05 x 3.7 x 10-4

pOH = -lg[OH-]
= 1.75 x 10−3 mol dm−3

pH = 14 – 4.8
= 9.2

3. Base dissociation constant, Kb

+
3.1 a. C5H5N + H2O C5H5NH + OH-

+
b. Kb = [C5H5NH][OH-]
[C5H5N]

c. [OH-] = √ Kbc = √1.5 x 10

-9
x 0.10 = 1.2 x 10-5 mol dm-3

1
3.2 a. [NH3] =
x

b. pOH = 14 – 10.50 = 3.50

[OH-] = 3.16 x 10-4 mol dm-3

c. [OH-] = √ Kb c

[3.16 x 10-4 ] √
= 1.81 x 10-5
x
1
x

x = 181 cm3

© 2003 Ministry of Education Malaysia. All Rights Reserved. Page 3 of 4

4. pKb

4.1 pKb = -lg Kb

Kb = 7.4 x 10-10 mol dm-3

[OH-] = √ Kbc
= √ 7.4 x 10-10 x 0.20

= 1.2 x 10-5 mol dm-3

© 2003 Ministry of Education Malaysia. All Rights Reserved. Page 4 of 4