In: Chemistry
The pH of 0.30 M solution of HCN is 5.20. Calculate the Ka value for HCN.
Let a be the dissociation of the weak acid,HA
HA <---> H + + A-
initial conc. c 0 0
change -ca +ca +ca
Equb. conc. c(1-a) ca ca
Dissociation constant , Ka = ca x ca / ( c(1-a)
= c a2 / (1-a)
In the case of weak acids α is very small so 1-a is taken as 1
So Ka = ca2
==> a = √ ( Ka / c )
Given c = concentration = 0.30 M
pH = 5.20
- log[H+] = 5.20
[H+] = 10-5.20
= 6.31x10-6 M
[H+] = ca = 6.31x10-6 M
a = (6.31x10-6 M ) / 0.30
= 2.10x10-5
So Ka = ca2
= 0.30 x (2.10x10-5)2
= 1.33x10-10