Answer:
a. 1.78x10⁻³ = Ka
2.75 = pKa
b. It is irrelevant.
Explanation:
a. The neutralization of a weak acid, HA, with a base can help to find Ka of the acid.
Equilibrium is:
HA ⇄ H⁺ + A⁻
And Ka is defined as:
Ka = [H⁺] [A⁻] / [HA]
The HA reacts with the base, XOH, thus:
HA + XOH → H₂O + A⁻ + X⁺
As you require 26.0mL of the base to consume all HA, if you add 13mL, the moles of HA will be the half of the initial moles and, the other half, will be A⁻
That means:
[HA] = [A⁻]
It is possible to obtain pKa from H-H equation (Equation used to find pH of a buffer), thus:
pH = pKa + log₁₀ [A⁻] / [HA]
Replacing:
2.75 = pKa + log₁₀ [A⁻] / [HA]
As [HA] = [A⁻]
2.75 = pKa + log₁₀ 1
<h3>2.75 = pKa</h3>
Knowing pKa = -log Ka
2.75 = -log Ka
10^-2.75 = Ka
<h3>1.78x10⁻³ = Ka</h3>
b. As you can see, the initial concentration of the acid was not necessary. The only thing you must know is that in the half of the titration, [HA] = [A⁻]. Thus, the initial concentration of the acid doesn't affect the initial calculation.
