# Dissociation Constant Homework Check

1. Jul 3, 2006

### yellowduck

Question:
A solution of hydrofluoric acid contains 2.0g of HF per litre and has a pH of 2.2. What is the dissociation constant for HF?

HF + H2O <-> H3O+ + F-

HF = 2.0g
H30+ = 10^-2.2 = .0063g
F- = H3O = .0063

Ka = [H3O+][F-] / HF
= (.0063)(.0063) / 2.0
=1.98 x 10^-5

Therefore the dissociation constant for HF is 2.0 x 10^-5

Can anyone tell me if I am on the right track?
Thanks

2. Jul 3, 2006

### PPonte

To find $$K_a$$ you need the concentration of $$HF$$ expressed in $$mol.dm^{-3}$$. Convert $$2.0 g.dm^{-3}$$ to $$mol.dm^{-3}$$ using molar mass.

The concentration of $$H_3O^+$$ that you calculated using that expression is molar concentration, so the units are $$mol.dm^{-3}$$.

3. Jul 3, 2006

### yellowduck

My Text mentions nothing about $$mol.dm^{-3}$$
it does say to calculate $$[H_3O^{+}] = 10^{-x}$$
So thats how I got .0063 mol/L

I also have, from the text the formula for calculating the acid dissociation constant $$K_{a}$$

Ka = [H30+][X-] / [HX]

4. Jul 4, 2006

### PPonte

That's right you got $$0.0063 mol/L$$! But you indicated on your previous post:

I am just correcting the units. It is not grams but mol/dm3 or mol/L, since 1 L = 1 dm3.
You, maybe, ask why the units are those. Because you find the pH of a solution from the molar concentration of $$H_3O^+$$. The expression is:
$$pH = - \log\left[ H_3O^{+}_{(aq)} ]$$

Then, using that expression, knowing the value of pH, you can just find the molar concentration of $$H_3O^+$$.
--------
The formula is correct.

Last edited by a moderator: Jul 4, 2006
5. Jul 4, 2006

### yellowduck

Hmm... yes I seem to mess up on the units sometimes.

I would like to do this all in mol/L if possible. (we have been taught to this point only in mol/L)

So does this look better?
HF + H2O <-> H3O+ + F-

HF = 1+19=20 g/mol
2g HF x 1 mol HF / 20g HF = .1 mol HF
So HF = .1 mol/L

H30+ = 10^-2.2 = .0063 mol/L
F- = H3O = .0063 mol/L

Ka = [H3O+][F-] / HF
= (.0063)(.0063) / .1
=4.0 x 10^-4

Therefore the dissociation constant for HF is 4.0 x 10^-4

Thank you very much for all your help. This forum and people who help have been a valuable resource.

6. Jul 5, 2006

### Hootenanny

Staff Emeritus
Looks good to me

7. Jul 5, 2006

### yellowduck

Thank you PPonte and Hootenanny for taking the time to review my work and help me out.

Thanks Again.

8. Jul 5, 2006

My pleasure!