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In an exactly.200M solution of benzoic acid, a monoprotic acid, the [H+] = 3.55 × 10–3M. What is the Ka for benzoic acid?

User Yau
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1 Answer

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Simplified form of the chemical equation.

Call BH the benzoic acid and B- the benzoate anion

BH = B- + H+

stoichiometry

Mo- x moles ---> xmol of B- and + xmol of H+

Where Mo is the initial concentration (before reaching the equilibrium) of BH and M0 - x is the concentration at equilibrium.

Ka = [x]^2 / [Mo - x]

[x] = [H+]

Unfortunately, It is not 100% clear if the 0.200M is the concentration at equilibrium or the initial concentration of BH.

I think it is the first. But else, you can do the numbers with the same procedure changing the denominator of Ka expression.

Then, ka = [H+]^2 / 0.200 = (3.55*10^-3)^2 / 0.200 = 0.0000630125 = 6.30*10^-5

Observe that if you suppose that the concentration of the solution at equillibrium is 0.2 - x instead 0.2, the result is very similar, because

ka = (3.55*10^-3)^2 / (0.2 - 0.00355) = 6.41 * 10^-5.

I still believe that the statement means that 0.200 is the concentration at equillibrium.

Then, my answer is 6.30*10 ^-5
User Konstantin Kolinko
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