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Homework Help: Percent dissociation

  1. Jan 31, 2007 #1

    Gott_ist_tot

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    Here is what should be an easy problem that I am somehow messing up

    1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data
    Calculate the percent dissociation of 0.063 M Hydrobromous acid, HBrO. Do not solve the quadratic equation even if the percent dissociation is high.


    2. Relevant equations



    3. The attempt at a solution

    I looked up K_a and found it to be 2.3*10^-9. After doing an equilibrium chart I got that x^2 = (2.3*10^9)(0.63). Therefore, x = 1.20 * 10^-5. I then divided this by 0.063 and multiplied by 100. I got 0.02% as a final answer. This does not sound right due to the hint and I was told it was wrong (online homework.

    For the equilibrium table I just assumed that
    HBrO + H2O <--> H3O + BrO.

    Thanks for any help. I don't know why I am having so much trouble with this one.
     
    Gott_ist_tot, Jan 31, 2007
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  3. Jan 31, 2007 #2

    Gokul43201

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    There's a couple typos in there, but the method looks okay, and I get a similar answer. Also, it's strange that they do not give you a value of the Ka to use. Reported values are notoriously different. I've just looked and found several values between 2.0 and 2.5 (times 10-9M). Also, the software that checks your homework might require some specific number of sig figs (you've only got one).
     
    Gokul43201, Jan 31, 2007
  4. Jan 31, 2007 #3

    Gott_ist_tot

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    Yeah, it was sig figs. 0.019. Thanks. Sorry for to use you guys for such a problem.
     
    Gott_ist_tot, Jan 31, 2007
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