Chapter 23.5, Problem 23.5P

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

Position of equilibrium for the given acid-base reaction has to be predicted.

Concept introduction:

According to the explanations by Bronsted-Lowry, if a species loses a proton then it is an acid whereas if a species receives one proton, then it is base.

If a base receives one proton, then the formed species is a conjugate acid whereas an acid lose one proton, then the formed species is a conjugated base.

Mixture of acid and base undergoes equilibrium reaction and it’s ${\text{pk}}_{\text{a}}$ values determine their direction of reaction.

Weak acids are more stable and less reactive, so equilibrium follows the direction of formation weak acids in a reaction.

Lesser the ${\text{pk}}_{\text{a}}$ value of compound will be more acidic. So the equilibrium follows the direction of compounds having high ${\text{pk}}_{\text{a}}$ value than to the compounds of low ${\text{pk}}_{\text{a}}$ value.