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A 0.023 M solution of a weak acid (HA) has a pH of 4.18. What is the Ka of the acid?

Please help will give 10 points.

1 Answer

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  • 7 years ago

    pH = -log(10 [ H+]

    The mathematical inverse is

    [H+] = 10^(-pH)

    Hence [H+] = 10^(-4.18)

    Weak acid dissociates as HA <====---> H+ + A-

    Since it dissociates in to equal numbers of cations and anions. We can say

    [H+] = [A-]

    Hence the [ A-] = 10^(-4.18)

    The general eq'n for Ka is

    Ka = [H+][A-] / [HA]

    Substituting in the number.

    Ka = 10^-4.18 x 10^-4.18 / 0.023

    Number ' crunching'.

    Ka = 10^-8.36 / 0.023

    Ka = 1.89789 x 10^-7 = 0.000000189789

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