Question & Answer: What is pH when 0.5 m HAC (acetic acid k_a = 1.8 times 10^-5) is allowed to go to…..

What is pH when 0.5 m HAC (acetic acid k_a = 1.8 times 10^-5) is allowed to go to equilibrium? HAC + H_2O = AC^- + H_3O^+

Expert Answer

Answer

HAC dissociates as:

HAC + H2O —–> H3O+ + Ac-

Don't use plagiarized sources. Get Your Custom Essay on
Question & Answer: What is pH when 0.5 m HAC (acetic acid k_a = 1.8 times 10^-5) is allowed to go to…..
GET AN ESSAY WRITTEN FOR YOU FROM AS LOW AS $13/PAGE
Order Essay

0.5               0 0

0.5-x         x. x

Ka = [H+][Ac-]/[HAC]

Ka = x*x/(c-x)

Assuming x can be ignored as compared to c

So, above expression becomes

Ka = x*x/(c)

so, x = sqrt (Ka*c)

x = sqrt ((1.8*10^-5)*0.5) = 3*10^-3

since c is much greater than x, our assumption is correct

so, x = 3*10^-3 M

so.[H+] = x = 3*10^-3 M

use:

pH = -log [H+]

= -log (3*10^-3)

= 2.52

Answer: 2.52

Still stressed from student homework?
Get quality assistance from academic writers!