MCAT Basics (from MedSchoolCoach) Acids and Bases
Sep 2, 2025
Dive into the fascinating world of acids and bases, where foundational chemistry meets biology. Discover the role of indicators in titrations and the critical nature of buffers in keeping our body's pH in check. Learn how to calculate pH, differentiate between strong and weak acids, and utilize ICE tables for problem-solving. The podcast also explores the blood buffer system's function in homeostasis and offers essential strategies for mastering these concepts for the MCAT.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Three Complementary Acid-Base Definitions
- Acids and bases have three useful definitions: Arrhenius, Brønsted–Lowry, and Lewis, each highlighting different behaviors.
- Recognize Lewis acids by electron deficiency or expanded valence shells and Lewis bases by lone pairs.
Strong vs Weak: Know The Six Strong Acids
- Strong acids/bases fully dissociate while weak ones establish equilibria described by Ka or Kb.
- Memorize the six strong acids (HI, HBr, HCl, HClO4, H2SO4, HNO3) for quick MCAT work.
Calculate pH From Stoichiometry
- For strong acids, compute [H+] from stoichiometry then pH = -log[H+].
- Remember pH can be negative with very concentrated acids.