Detemination of dissociation constants of weak acid

Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the determination of dissociation constants (Ka) of weak acids, specifically focusing on the experimental procedure involving ethanoic acid and sodium hydroxide titration. Participants raise questions about the relationship between pH and Ka, the importance of titration volume, the purpose of adding more acid post-titration, and the effectiveness of different buffer solutions.

Discussion Character

  • Experimental/applied
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants inquire about the relationship between pH and Ka, suggesting a need for clarity on how these concepts interrelate.
  • There is a question regarding the necessity of using exactly 25 cm3 of sodium hydroxide solution for the titration.
  • Participants ask about the rationale behind adding an additional portion of ethanoic acid after the titration process.
  • One participant presents two buffer solutions with differing concentrations of ethanoic acid and sodium ethanoate, prompting a discussion on which buffer might be more effective and why.
  • A participant suggests using a pH meter instead of phenolphthalein, indicating a potential improvement in the experimental approach.
  • Another participant notes the need to discuss the relationship between pKa, pH, and the concentrations of the acid and its conjugate base.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

The discussion contains multiple competing views and remains unresolved, particularly regarding the effectiveness of the buffer solutions and the experimental methodology.

Contextual Notes

Participants have not fully established the assumptions underlying the relationship between pH and Ka, nor have they resolved the implications of using different indicators or buffer concentrations.

chiakimaron
Messages
9
Reaction score
0
Procedure:
1. Pipette 25 cm3 of ethanoic acid into a conical flask
2. Titrate against 0.1M sodium hydroxide solution in the burrette, using phenolphthalein as indicator.
3. Pipette further 25 cm3 of ethanoic acid into the solution after titration and mix throughly.

Questions:
1. what is the retionship between pH and Ka
2. Is it important that the titre (volume of sodium hydroxide solution) should be exactly25cm3?
3. What is the purpose of adding a further portion of ethanoic acid to the solution after titration?
4. A student prepare 2 buffer solution
Buffer A : 0.5M ethanoic acid + 0.5M sodium ethanoate salt in equal volume
Buffer B : 5M ethanoic acid + 5M sodium ethanoate salt in equal volume
Do you think which is a good buffer? Why?
5. what discussion can be made on this experiment?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
So...what have you done so far? This isn't a place for you to receive full solutions from other members.
 
Use a pH meter instead of phenolphthalein and the topic title will make more sense.
 
It seems that you are being asked to discuss the relationship between pKa (-log[Ka]), pH, concentration of acid and concentration of it's conjugate base. Hmmmmm.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
3K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
4K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
5K
Replies
3
Views
3K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
3K
Replies
2
Views
3K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 16 ·
Replies
16
Views
4K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
22K