× Didn't find what you were looking for? Ask a question
Top Posters
Since Sunday
G
4
K
3
m
2
c
2
r
2
p
2
s
2
s
2
b
2
c
2
R
2
c
2
New Topic  
nveck777 nveck777
wrote...
Posts: 12
Rep: 0 0
11 years ago
Assuming the weak acid still dissociates a significant amount and contributes to the pH.

How would I go about solving a question like this (just need process, numbers don't matter)?
Read 364 times
4 Replies

Related Topics

Replies
wrote...
11 years ago
All the acids have a pH of less than 7. The pH of the solution would be somwhere between 0-7 depending upon the amount of the strong acid and weak acid mixed
wrote...
11 years ago
Strong acids have a ph of 1-3 and weak acids ph 6-7 after seven base series starts
wrote...
11 years ago
Keep in mind that drink water is a 7 on the pH scale. 7 Is neutral
pH scale goes from 1 - 14 with 1 being the strongest possible acid and 14 being the strongest possible base. If you've got a weak acid whose dissociation contributes to the pH it would probably be a 4 or a 5 on the pH. Any smaller number is too strong and a bigger number would not contribute that much to the pH.
wrote...
11 years ago
Without numbers it is difficult to give anything but general advice.

First consider the strong acid - It is taken that this dissociates completely , so it is easy to get the [H+] from the molarity of the acid in the final solution.

In general , the [H+] from the weak acid is discounted because it makes no contribution to the [H+] in the final solution . But you present a case where this contribution has to be taken into account.This presents a complication.
I will have to resort to using numbers in order to explain this easily.

Let us assume that you want to calculate the [H+] of a solution consisting of equal volumes of 0.5M HCl and 0.5M weak acid HW which has Ka = 8.5*10^-2. Note the comparatively high Ka - this will indicate that it is a medium weak acid and will dissociate to contribute a reasonably high concentration of H+ ions.
If you mix equal volumes of these two solutions you will have : [HCl ] = 0.25M  and [HW] = 0.25M

We know that HCl will completely dissociate , and from the HCl [H+] = 0.25M

Now the weak acid HW. This will partially dissociate:
 HW ? H+ + W-

The [H+] in a solution containing ONLY  HW can be calculated from the Ka equation:
 Ka = [H+]² / [HW]
Note that [HW] is the concentration of the undissociated acid HW in solution. In this case you may not use the short cut and take [HW] = 0.25.
 I assume that you know how to calculate [H+] in this case. This is only part of the general explanation - there is no need to do this calculation . As long as you understand that this is the equation that will give you [H+] of the acid solution.

But what is the situation if you add HCl to this solution , as you require in your question . The additional H+ from the HCl dissociation causes the equilibrium
HW ? H+ + W-
 to shift to the left. The concentration  of H+ from HW is reduced.
How to calculate this:

Let the [H+] from HW = A
The total [H+] in the solution = 0.25 + A ( that is from the HCl plus the HW.)
The [HW] in the solution =( 0.25 - A ) This accounts for the reduced concentration of HW from dissociation .

But the Ka of HW remains at 8.5*10^-2
Substitute:
 8.5*10^-2 = ( 0.25+A)² / (0.25-A)
simplify and solve for A
8.5*10^-2 =  0.0625 + 0.5A + A² / (0.25 - A)
0.02125 - 0.085A  = 0.0625 +0.5A + A²
A² + 0.5A + 0.0625 - 0.02125 + 0.085A = 0
A² + 0.0585A - 0.04125 = 0

Solve quadratic for A : + Root = 0.176

You have [H+] from dissociation of HW = 0.176M added to [H+] from HCl = 0.25M :
Total [H+] = 0.426
pH = -log 0.426
pH = 0.37
New Topic      
Explore
Post your homework questions and get free online help from our incredible volunteers
  420 People Browsing
Related Images
  
 271
  
 248
  
 5914
Your Opinion
Who will win the 2024 president election?
Votes: 10
Closes: November 4