SUMMARY
Citric acid, a triprotic acid, has a pKa3 of 5.41, indicating that at a pH greater than 5.41, it does not exist entirely in its conjugate base form (A3-). At pH 5.41, the concentrations of the second deprotonated form (HA2-) and the fully deprotonated form (A3-) are equal. This relationship is crucial for understanding the behavior of weak acids in solution, as detailed in the referenced resource on acid-base titration indicators.
PREREQUISITES
- Understanding of triprotic acids and their dissociation constants
- Familiarity with pH and its relationship to acid-base equilibria
- Knowledge of weak acid behavior in solution
- Basic grasp of acid-base titration concepts
NEXT STEPS
- Study the dissociation constants of triprotic acids, focusing on citric acid
- Learn about the Henderson-Hasselbalch equation and its applications
- Explore the concept of pH indicators and their role in titrations
- Investigate the implications of buffer solutions in maintaining pH levels
USEFUL FOR
Chemistry students, educators, and professionals involved in analytical chemistry or biochemistry, particularly those interested in acid-base equilibria and titration techniques.