In: Chemistry
What is the pH of a 0.50 M solution of nitrous acid with a Ka of 4.0 x 10^-4?
Nitrous acid = HNO2
HNO2 H+ + NO2-
IC 0.5 0 0
EC 0.5-x x x
ka = 4.0 x 10-4
Now,
ka = [H+][OH-]/[HNO2]
4.0 x
10-4 = x2 / (0.50-x)
2.0 x 10-4 – (4.0 x 10-4) x = x2
x2 + (4.0 x 10-4) x - (2.0 x 10-4) x = 0
Solving the quadratic equation, we get
x= 0.0139 and x= -0.0143
Neglecting the negative value of x, we get
x = 0.0139
x = [H+] = [NO2-] 0.0139 M
pH = -log[H+] = -log(0.0139 ) = 1.86