225k views
1 vote
Hich of the following identifies the four species that are present in an aqueous solution of the weak acid H₂C₂O₄H₂C₂O₄, from the highest to the lowest concentration at equilibrium?

a. H₃O > HC₂O₄ > C₂O₄₂ > H₂C₂O₄
b. H₃O > C₂O₄ > HC₂O₄ > H₂C₂O₄
c. H₂C₂O₄ > HC₂O₄ > C₂O₄ > H₃O
d. H₂C₂O₄ > H₃O > HC₂O₄ > C₂O₄

1 Answer

3 votes

Final answer:

The correct order of species from highest to lowest concentration at equilibrium is (c) H₂C₂O₄ > HC₂O₄⁻ > C₂O₄²⁻ > H₃O⁺.

Step-by-step explanation:

In an aqueous solution of the weak acid H₂C₂O₄, the four species present at equilibrium are H₃O⁺, HC₂O₄⁻, C₂O₄²⁻, and H₂C₂O₄. To identify the species in order of highest to lowest concentration at equilibrium, we need to understand the ionization behavior of H₂C₂O₄.

H₂C₂O₄ is a weak acid, which means it does not ionize completely in water. The dominant species in the solution will be the unionized form, H₂C₂O₄. HC₂O₄⁻ and C₂O₄²⁻ are the ionized forms of the acid, but since H₂C₂O₄ is a weak acid, the concentration of these ions will be lower compared to the unionized form. Finally, H₃O⁺ ions will be present in the solution due to the ionization of water itself.

Therefore, the correct order of species from highest to lowest concentration at equilibrium is H₂C₂O₄ > HC₂O₄⁻ > C₂O₄²⁻ > H₃O⁺.

User Seh Hui Leong
by
7.8k points