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A solution of benzoic acid (C6H5COOH) that is 0.20 M has a pH of 2.45. What is Ka for benzoic acid?

User Babanana
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1 Answer

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It is important that we know the dissociation reaction of the compound. For this case it would be:

C6H5COOH = C6H5COO- + H+

Benzoic acid is a weak acid which means it does not completely dissociates into ions. The pH is calculated by the equation:

pH = -0.5 log Ka
2.45 = -0.5 log Ka
Ka = 1.2589x10^-5

User Jim K
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