Question

Hey! I was wondering how to get the solution to this question!

A solution was prepared by dissolving 0.541 g of benzoic acid (HC6H5COO) in 100 mL of
water. The pH was measured to be 2.78. What is the Ka for benzoic acid?

Answer 1

6.22 × 10⁻⁵

Step-by-step explanation:

Step 1: Write the dissociation reaction

HC₆H₅COO ⇄ C₆H₅COO⁻ + H⁺

Step 2: Calculate the concentration of H⁺

The pH of the solution is 2.78.

pH = -log [H⁺]

[H⁺] = antilog -pH = antilog -2.78 = 1.66 × 10⁻³ M

Step 3: Calculate the molar concentration of the benzoic acid

We will use the following expression.

Ca = mass HC₆H₅COO/molar mass HC₆H₅COO × liters of solution

Ca = 0.541 g/(122.12 g/mol) × 0.100 L = 0.0443 M

Step 4: Calculate the acid dissociation constant (Ka) for benzoic acid

We will use the following expression.

Ka = [H⁺]²/Ca

Ka = (1.66 × 10⁻³)²/0.0443 = 6.22 × 10⁻⁵