In: Chemistry
A solution contains 1.5M sodium acetate. The pKa of acetic acid (a weak acid) is 4.76. Calculate the fraction and percentage of the molecules existing in the unionized state.
CH3COO- + H2O --------------> CH3COOH + OH-
1.5 0 0
1.5 - x x x
Ka = x^2 / 1.5 - x
1.74 x 10^-5 = x^2 / 1.5 - x
x = 5.1x 10^-3
[OH-] = 5.1 x 10^-3 M
% un ionized = (5.1 x 10^-3 / 1.5 ) x 100
= 0.34 %