Chapter 8, Problem 57P

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

The reason for change in pH of HCl solution due to addition of sodium acetate solution should be explained.

Concept Introduction:

For a general acid dissociation reaction as follows:

$\text{HA}\underset{}{\rightleftarrows }{\text{H}}^{+}+{\text{A}}^{-}$

The expression for acid dissociation constant will be:

$K_{\text{a}}=\frac{\left[{\text{A}}^{-}\right]\left[{\text{H}}^{+}\right]}{\left[\text{HA}\right]}$

The pH of solution can be calculated by taking negative log of concentration of hydrogen ion or,

$\text{pH}=-\log \left[{\text{H}}^{+}\right]$.