Chapter 13, Problem 106E

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation: The stepwise $K_{\text{a}}$ reactions for citric acid $\left({\text{H}}_3{\text{C}}_6{\text{H}}_5{\text{O}}_7\right)$ are to be stated.

Concept introduction: An acid that is capable of donating three ${\text{H}}^{\text{+}}$ ions per molecule on undergoing dissociation in an aqueous solution is known as a triprotic acid.

At equilibrium, the equilibrium constant expression is expressed by the formula,

$K_{\text{a}}=\frac{\text{Concentration}\text{of}\text{products}}{\text{Concentration}\text{of}\text{reactants}}$