Chemistry: Molecular Approach (4th Edition)

Published by Pearson
ISBN 10: 0134112830
ISBN 13: 978-0-13411-283-1

Chapter 16 - Section 16.6 - Finding the [H3O+] and pH of Strong and Weak Acid Solutions - For Practice - Page 739: 16.6

Answer

The pH of that acetic acid solution is equal to 3.28

Work Step by Step

1. Draw the ICE table for this equilibrium: $$\begin{vmatrix} Compound& [ HC_2H_3O_2 ]& [ C_2H_3{O_2}^- ]& [ H_3O^+ ]\\ Initial& 0.0150 & 0 & 0 \\ Change& -x& +x& +x\\ Equilibrium& 0.0150 -x& 0 +x& 0 +x\\ \end{vmatrix}$$ 2. Write the expression for $K_a$, and substitute the concentrations: - The exponent of each concentration is equal to its balance coefficient. $$K_a = \frac{[Products]}{[Reactants]} = \frac{[ C_2H_3{O_2}^- ][ H_3O^+ ]}{[ HC_2H_3O_2 ]}$$ $$K_a = \frac{(x)(x)}{[ HC_2H_3O_2 ]_{initial} - x}$$ 3. Assuming $ 0.0150 \gt\gt x:$ $$K_a = \frac{x^2}{[ HC_2H_3O_2 ]_{initial}}$$ $$x = \sqrt{K_a \times [ HC_2H_3O_2 ]_{initial}} = \sqrt{ 1.8 \times 10^{-5} \times 0.0150 }$$ $x = 5.2 \times 10^{-4} $ 4. Test if the assumption was correct: $$\frac{ 5.2 \times 10^{-4} }{ 0.0150 } \times 100\% = 3.5 \%$$ 5. The percent is less than 5%. Thus, it is correct to say that $x = 5.2 x 10^{-4} $ 6. $$[H_3O^+] = x = 5.2 \times 10^{-4} $$ 7. Calculate the pH: $$pH = -log[H_3O^+] = -log( 5.2 \times 10^{-4} ) = 3.28 $$
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