# Water solubility of benzoic acid

1. May 20, 2008

### phyzmatix

[SOLVED] Water solubility of benzoic acid

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data
At $$25^{0}C$$ a saturated solution of benzoic acid with $$K_{a}=6.4 x 10^{-5}$$ (can't get this thing to display a simple multiplication sign in the equation) has a pH = 2.80. Calculate the water solubility of benzoic acid in moles per litre.

2. Relevant equations
We know $$pH = -log[H^{+}]$$

3. The attempt at a solution
I can't find examples of similar problems in any of my textbooks, but was thinking for the balanced reaction of benzoic acid, we have

$$C_{6}H_{5}OOH \rightarrow C_{6}H_{5}OO^{-} + H^{+}$$

and calculating $$[H^{+}]$$ from the above equation gives $$1.584 x 10^{-3}mol/L$$

Does this mean that (from the balanced equation) the water solubility is equal to this value? Or is there some intermediate steps I was supposed to follow?

Thanks peeps.

Last edited: May 20, 2008
2. May 20, 2008

### chemisttree

Write the expression for Ka and plug in what you know.

3. May 21, 2008

### phyzmatix

Hi chemisttree!

I thought of that, but don't understand how that will help (I'm not saying you're wrong, I'd just like an explanation)...I thought that, if I substitute the values into the expression for Ka, I can calculate the concentration of $$C_{6}H_{5}OOH$$ at equilibrium, but that doesn't tell me how much of it was dissolved in the water. My understanding of the terminology is that the water solubility is the maximum amount of the substance that can be dissolved in water. Is that right? Which basically means that it's the difference between the initial concentration (whatever that is) minus what's left over at equilibrium, i.e. the change in concentration which is $$1.585x10^{-3}$$ (assuming that the initial concentration of $$H^{+}$$ is 0.

4. May 21, 2008

### chemisttree

Assume that [CH3COOH] in the Ka expression is that amount which is dissolved... ignore the solid stuff. You know [H+] and you therefore know [CH3COO-].

5. May 21, 2008

### phyzmatix

*PING!*

Thank you very much for your time! Obviously my understanding of the chemistry underlying this problem was the limiting reagent here