Question

For which of the solutions of weak bases listed below is the x is small approximation most likely to work when finding the poh of the solutions? 0.010 m co32− , kb = 1.8 × 10−4 1.0 m hco3−, kb = 2.3 × 10−8 0.00010 m hco3−, kb = 2.3 × 10−8 0.0010 m c2h5nh2, kb = 5.6 × 10−4

Answer 1

The x is small approximation is most likely to work for a weak base solution when the concentration of the weak base is relatively low. In the given solutions of weak bases, the 0.00010 M HCO3^- with Kb = 2.3 × 10^-8 is the most likely solution for the x is small approximation to work.

Step-by-step explanation:

When finding the pOH of a solution for a weak base, the x is small approximation is most likely to work when the concentration of the weak base is relatively low. The x is small approximation is based on the assumption that the dissociation of the weak base is negligible compared to the initial concentration of the weak base. In other words, if the concentration of the weak base is small, then the amount of the weak base that dissociates can be considered negligible, and the x is small approximation can be used to determine the pOH.

Based on the given solutions of weak bases, the most likely solution for the x is small approximation to work is the 0.00010 M HCO3^-, with Kb = 2.3 × 10^-8. Since the concentration is very small, the dissociation of the weak base can be assumed to be negligible, and the x is small approximation will provide an accurate estimation of the pOH.