Solve Acid-Base Equilibrium: Calculate Ka of HA

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the ionization constant (Ka) of a weak monoprotic organic acid (HA) based on experimental data from a titration with NaOH. Participants explore the calculations involved in determining the moles of acid, molecular weight, and concentrations at equilibrium, while addressing discrepancies between their results and an answer key.

Discussion Character

  • Homework-related
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Post 1 presents a detailed homework statement with calculations for moles of acid, molecular weight, moles of unreacted HA, and [H3O+] at a specific pH, leading to a calculated Ka value of 1.1 * 10^-10.
  • Post 2 requests clarification on the values used for [H+], [A-], and [HA] in the Ka calculation.
  • Post 3 reiterates the formula for Ka and the values used, indicating [H+] and [A-] are both 2.2 * 10^-6, while [HA] is calculated as 0.0027 mol/0.050 L.
  • Post 4 challenges the assumption that [H+] equals [A-], suggesting that this assumption may lead to errors in the calculation, and notes the importance of considering the total volume change due to added NaOH.
  • Post 5 acknowledges a mistake regarding the contribution of [A-] ions from the neutralization process.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the correct value of Ka, with one participant questioning the assumption that [H+] equals [A-] and another recognizing an oversight in their calculations. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the correct approach to calculating Ka.

Contextual Notes

There are limitations in the assumptions made about the concentrations of species at equilibrium and the impact of volume changes during the titration process, which may affect the calculations.

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Homework Statement


1) A 0.682-gram sample of an unknown weak monoprotic organic acid, HA, was dissolved in sufficient water to make 50 milliliters of solution and was titrated with a 0.135-molar NaOH solution. After the addition of 10.6 milliliters of base, a pH of 5.65 was recorded. The equivalence point (end point) was reached after the addition of 27.4 milliliters of the 0.135-molar NaOH.

(a) Calculate the number of moles of acid in the original sample.
Done. 3.70 * 10^-3 mol HA
(b) Calculate the molecular weight of the acid HA.
Done. 184.37 g/mol
(c) Calc the number of moles of unreacted HA remaining in solution when the pH was 5.65.
done. 0.0027 mol
(d) Calculate the [H3O+] at pH = 5.65.
done. 2.2 * 10^-6
(e) Calculate the value of the ionization constant, Ka, of the acid HA.
I am using an ICE chart, with the equation HA <-> H+ + A-
The initial concentration for HA I used was 0.0027 mol/ 0.050 L
the initial concentration for H+ was 2.2 * 10 ^-6, which is also equal to the concentration of A-.
However, when I plug in these values into the equilibrium expression, Ka = ([H+][A-])/[HA], I get 1.1 * 10^ -10, and the answer key says that the correct answer is 1.4 * 10 ^-6.

Am I doing something wrong here, or is the answer key wrong?
 
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Show your work on e). What values of [H+], [A-] and [HA] did you use?
 
Ka = \frac{[H+][A-]}{[HA]}

[H+] = 2.2 * 10^-6 (got this from pH 5.65)
[A-] = 2.2 * 10^-6
[HA] = 0.0027 mol/ 0.050 L
 
If you write out all of the equations you have and plug them into each other, you'll see that [H+] is not equal to [A-]. Your assumption that they are equal is throwing you off.

Also don't forget that the volume of the entire solution changed because you added the NaOH solution.
 
thanks.
I forgot about all the [A-] ions that came into the system as a result of the neutralization of the weak acid with NaOH.
 

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