What Went Wrong in My Ethanoic Acid and NaOH Titration Calculation?

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The discussion centers on a titration calculation involving ethanoic acid and NaOH, where the user miscalculated the pH after neutralizing 50% of the acid. They initially used the acid dissociation constant (Ka) but arrived at an incorrect pH value of 3.03. It was pointed out that at half titration, the concentrations of acetic acid and acetate are equal, leading to a pH of 4.74, which aligns with the Henderson-Hasselbalch equation. The importance of considering the presence of acetate and correctly applying equilibrium constants was emphasized. The user acknowledged the mistake and the clarification provided.
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Homework Statement


Screen Shot 2016-07-05 at 5.12.39 PM.png


Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution


If 50% of the acid has been neutralised, then there is 0.05 M of acetic acid left.Using Ka
$$ 1.8*10^-5 = \frac {x^2}{0.05-x} $$
I get x = 0.00094
-log(0.00094) =3.02687 =pH
This is not one of the answers provided. I think I interpreted the question wrong. Can someone explain to me what I did wrong?

Cheers!
 
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You can't ignore acetate presence.

Hint: at half titration [CH3COOH] = [CH3COO-]
 
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I see, then the equilibrium is:

$$ 1.8*10^{-5} = \frac {(0.05+x)*x} {0.05-x}$$

Therefore, pH = 4.74

Answer is B.

Thanks again!
 
Much easier to solve using Henderson-Hasselbalch equation. Not to mention the fact you should remember at half titration pH=pK.
 
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I see, thanks a lot!
 
TT0 said:
If 50% of the acid has been neutralised, then there is 0.05 M of acetic acid left.Using Ka
$$ 1.8*10^-5 = \frac {x^2}{0.05-x} $$
I get x = 0.00094
-log(0.00094) =3.02687 =pH
This is not one of the answers provided. I think I interpreted the question wrong. Can someone explain to me what I did wrong?

Cheers!

If you had written the equation for the equilibrium constant out explicitly in terms of chemical species you would probably not gone wrong in the way you did.
 
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