Chapter 9, Problem 9.DE

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

The ${\text{pK}}_{\text{a}}$ of the weak acid has to be calculated.

Concept Introduction:

Consider a weak-acid equilibrium reaction,

$\text{HA}\stackrel{{\text{K}}_{\text{a}}}{\rightleftharpoons }{\text{H}}^{\text{+}}{\text{+A}}^{\text{-}}$

The acid dissociation constant ${\text{K}}_{\text{a}}$ can be given as,

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

A weak acid is one that doesn’t undergo completion.

The negative logarithm of an equilibrium constant is called as $\text{pK}$.

The ${\text{pK}}_{\text{a}}$ of weak acid is the negative logarithm of ${\text{K}}_{\text{a}}$ and can be given as,

${\text{pK}}_{\text{a}}\text{=-log}{\text{K}}_{\text{a}}$

The value of acid dissociation constant ${\text{K}}_{\text{a}}$ decreases with increase in ${\text{pK}}_{\text{a}}$.

To calculate the ${\text{pK}}_{\text{a}}$ of the weak acid