Chapter 16, Problem 16.30QP

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

From the diagrams given in the problem statement,

• The diagram representing a solution of a weak diprotic acid has to be identified.
• Which of the diagrams; represent chemically implausible situations has to be explained.

Concept Information:

Acid ionization constant ${\text{K}}_{\text{a}}$:

Acids ionize in water.  Strong acids ionize completely whereas weak acids ionize to some limited extent.

The degree to which a weak acid ionizes depends on the concentration of the acid and the equilibrium constant for the ionization.

The ionization of a weak acid $\text{HA}$ can be given as follows,

  ${\text{HA}}_{\text{(aq)}}\to {\text{ H}}^{\text{+}}{}_{\text{(aq)}}{\text{+A}}^{\text{-}}{}_{\text{(aq)}}$

The equilibrium expression for the above reaction is given below.

  $K_a=\frac{[{\text{H}}^{\text{+}}{\text{][A}}^{\text{-}}\text{]}}{[\text{HA]}}$

Where

  $K_a$ is acid ionization constant,

  $[{\text{H}}^{\text{+}}\text{]}$  is concentration of hydrogen ion

  $[{\text{A}}^{\text{-}}\text{]}$  is concentration of acid anion

  $[\text{HA]}$ is concentration of the acid

Diprotic and polyprotic acids:

Acids having two or more hydrogen atoms are termed as diprotic or polyprotic acids.  These acids lose one proton at a time by undergoing successive ionizations.

For diprotic acids, the successive ionization constants are designated as $K_{a1}and{K}_{a2}$

For triprotic acids, the successive ionization constants are designated as $K_{a1},K_{a2}and{K}_{a3}$