Finding pH of an Acid with Added OH-: Ka and the Quadratic Equation

AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on calculating the pH of a weak acid solution and how it changes upon the addition of hydroxide ions (OH-). Initially, the pH of a 0.1 molar solution of the weak acid (HA) with a dissociation constant (Ka) of 10^-8 is calculated, yielding a pH of 4.5. When 0.01 moles of OH- are added, the new equilibrium is established, leading to a recalculation of the pH. The resulting concentration of hydroxide ions is determined to be 9x10^-8, which corresponds to a neutral pH of 7. The discussion raises questions about the interpretation of ion concentrations and the appropriate formulas for calculating pH, particularly in relation to the contributions of both hydroxide and hydrogen ions. The conversation emphasizes the need for clarity in calculations and the relationship between pH, pOH, and ion concentrations.
fish
Messages
49
Reaction score
0
__________HA <------> H+ + A-
initial (mol) .1 ________ 0 ___ 0
change __ -x _______ +x ___ +x
final _____.1-x _______ x ___ x

Ka = 10^-8
find pH of .1 mol acid
since ka X 100 = 10^-6 < .1 can use initial concentration: .1-x = .1

Ka = [H+][A-]/[HA]
10^-8=x^2/.1
x=[H+]= 3.16x10^-5
pH = 4.5

now add .01 mols of OH- and see how it changes the pH

Ka=x[3.16x10^-5 + .01]/(.1 - .01)
10^-8 = .01x/.09
x=9x10^-8

-log(9x10^-8) = pH of 7 (also a pOH of 7)

what is the 9x10^-8 ion concentration representing, the [OH-] or [H+] ions?

if it's the [OH-] then shouldn't it be 14-pOH = pH
14-7=7

is this formula the best way find the pH in this case?
Ka=x([H+] + [OH-])/([HA] - [OH-])
 
Chemistry news on Phys.org
A little confused- can you give some indication as to volume/amount. I don't know if I am reading that right but you seem to have derrived pH from moles rather than mol dm-3- I'm a little tired at the moment so I don't know though.
 
now add .01 mols of OH- and see how it changes the pH

Ka=x[3.16x10^-5 + .01]/(.1 - .01)
10^-8 = .01x/.09
x=9x10^-8

I'm not quite sure what you did here could you post the actual problem and then explain what you did above
 
what is the 9x10^-8 ion concentration representing, the [OH-] or [H+] ions?

to answer this question the 9*10^-8 represents both the OH- and the H+ since your pH is 7 those two concentrations have to be equal
 
Okay i got it see if you follow me

your going to take 14-4.5=pOH then take 10^-pOH=[OH-] + the [.01] your adding, that equals .01 then take the -log.01=pOH 14-pOH=pH
 
It seems like a simple enough question: what is the solubility of epsom salt in water at 20°C? A graph or table showing how it varies with temperature would be a bonus. But upon searching the internet I have been unable to determine this with confidence. Wikipedia gives the value of 113g/100ml. But other sources disagree and I can't find a definitive source for the information. I even asked chatgpt but it couldn't be sure either. I thought, naively, that this would be easy to look up without...
I was introduced to the Octet Rule recently and make me wonder, why does 8 valence electrons or a full p orbital always make an element inert? What is so special with a full p orbital? Like take Calcium for an example, its outer orbital is filled but its only the s orbital thats filled so its still reactive not so much as the Alkaline metals but still pretty reactive. Can someone explain it to me? Thanks!!
Back
Top