The Ka of a monoprotic weak acid is 5.25 × 10-3. What is the percent ionization of a 0.136 M solution of this acid?
PLEASE EXPLAIN
Let the weak acid be HA
HA dissociates as:
HA -----> H+ + A-
0.136 0 0
0.136-x x x
Ka = [H+][A-]/[HA]
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 ((5.25*10^-3)*0.136) = 2.672*10^-2
since x is comparable c, our assumption is not correct
we need to solve this using Quadratic equation
Ka = x*x/(c-x)
5.25*10^-3 = x^2/(0.136-x)
7.14*10^-4 - 5.25*10^-3 *x = x^2
x^2 + 5.25*10^-3 *x-7.14*10^-4 = 0
This is quadratic equation (ax^2+bx+c=0)
a = 1
b = 5.25*10^-3
c = -7.14*10^-4
Roots can be found by
x = {-b + sqrt(b^2-4*a*c)}/2a
x = {-b - sqrt(b^2-4*a*c)}/2a
b^2-4*a*c = 2.884*10^-3
roots are :
x = 2.422*10^-2 and x = -2.947*10^-2
since x can't be negative, the possible value of x is
x = 2.422*10^-2
% ionization = (x*100)/c
= 2.422*10^-2*100/0.136
= 17.8 %
Answer: 17.8 %
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