Sample Weak Acid Problem

Q1 What is the pH of a 0.100 M solution of acetic acid (K

a
= 1.8x10
-5
)?
1. First identify what species are present, and any reactions that could occur. (The title of this
problem states that it is a weak acid problem, but not all problems will tell you the type of
equilibrium that will be involved.) The only specie present is acetic acid. The [H
+
] of water
(1.0x10
-7
M) can almost always be neglected. If the concentration of the weak acid is low,
then you must solve a complex equilibria problem that includes the dissociation of water. The
pre-equilibrium concentration of acetic acid is 0.100 M.
2. The balanced equilibrium reaction is: CH
3
COOH
(aq)
H
+
(aq)
+ CH
3
COO
-
(aq)

and the equilibrium constant expression is:
[H
+
][CH
3
COO
-
]
K
a
= ------------
[CH
3
COOH]
3. Now calculate the reaction quotient, Q, to determine the direction in which the reaction
will proceed to reach equilibrium. In acid-base problems, it is seldom necessary to calculate
Q exactly. In this sample problem, the pre-equilibrium concentration of acetate ion, COO
-
, is
zero, so Q is zero and the reaction goes in the forward direction.
4. For each mol of CH
3
COOH that dissociates, 1 mole each of H
+
and CH
3
COO
-
forms. The
pre-equilibrium concentrations, the concentration changes, and the equilibrium
concentrations are summarized in the following table:

CH
3
COOH H
+
COO
-

[ ]
o
0.100 M ~0 0
[ ] -x M +x M +x M
[ ]
eq
(0.100 - x) M x M x M
Where [ ]
o
are the pre-equilibrium concentrations, [ ] are the changes in concentrations, and
[ ]
eq
are expressions for the equilibrium concentrations.
5. We can now calculate the equilibrium concentrations using the equilibrium constant
expression:
[H
+
][CH
3
COO
-
]
K
a
= ------------
[CH
3
COOH]

(x)(x)
K
a
= --------
(0.100-x)
K
a
= x
2
/ (0.100-x)
We could solve this expression exactly, but since we are dealing with a weak acid, x is much
smaller than 0.100 and can be neglected in the denominator.
1.8x10
-5
= x
2
/ 0.100
x
2
= 1.8x10
-6

x = 1.3x10
-3
M
Note that x << 0.100 M, and the approximation was valid.
This problem asked for the pH of the solution.
[H
+
] = x = 1.3x10
-3
M
pH = -log[H
+
] = -log(1.3x10
-3
)
pH = 2.87
We can calculate Q to check that we are at equilibrium:
Q = (1.3x10
-3
)(1.3x10
-3
) / 0.100 = 1.810
-5
. Q = K
a
, so the system is at equilibrium.

Q2 What is the pH of the resulting solution when 0.500 moles of acetic acid are dissolved in
water and diluted to 1.00 L?
Unbalanced reaction: CH
3
COOH
(aq)
H
+
(aq)
+ CH
3
COO
-
(aq)
K
a
= 1.8x10
-5
at 25
o
C.
Full Solution to weak-acid practice problem IV-4(1). What is the pH of the resulting
solution when 0.500 moles of acetic acid are dissolved in water and diluted to 1.00 L?
Unbalanced reaction: CH
3
COOH
(aq)
H
+
(aq)
+ CH
3
COO
-
(aq)
K
a
= 1.8x10
-5
at 25
o
C.

1. The pre-equilibrium concentration of CH
3
COOH
(aq)
is 0.500 moles / 1.00 L = 0.500 M.
The pre-equilibrium concentration of H
+
(aq)
is 1.0x10
-7
due to the dissociation of pure water.
We can consider the pre-equilibrium [H
+
] to be 0.00 M since it is so much lower than 0.500
M. Since no acetate is added initially in this problem, the pre-equilibrium concentration of
CH
3
COO
-
(aq)
is 0.00 M.
2. First balance the reaction: CH
3
COOH
(aq)
H
+
(aq)
+ CH
3
COO
-
(aq)

Then write the equilibrium constant expression for this reaction:
[H
+
][CH
3
COO
-
]
K
a
= -------------
[CH
3
COOH]
3.
[H
+
][CH
3
COO
-
]
Q = -------------
[CH
3
COOH]
Since the pre-equilibrium concentrations of the products are zero, Q is zero. Thus, Q < K
eq

and the reaction will proceed in the forward direction.
4. For each mol of CH
3
COOH that dissociates, 1 mole each of H
+
and CH
3
COO
-
forms.

CH
3
COOH H
+
CH
3
COO
-

[ ]
o
0.500 M ~0.00 M 0.00 M
[ ] -x M +x M +x M
[ ]
eq
(0.500-x) M (0.00+x) M (0.00+x) M
5. Once you have the expressions for the equilibrium concentrations, you can use the
equilibrium constant expression to solve for x:
[H
+
][CH
3
COO
-
]
K
a
= -------------
[CH
3
COOH]

x
2

1.8x10
-5
= --------
(0.500-x)
There are two ways to approach this problem from here. You can rearrange the equation
above and solve for x using the quadratic equation, or you can make the approximation that x
will be much less than 0.500 M and drop the x in the denominator.
Making this approximation gives:
x
2

1.8x10
-5
= ------
0.500
x
2
= 0.90x10
-5

x = 3.0x10
-3

Before continuing, check that the approximation was valid:
x
2

1.8x10
-5
= --------------
0.500-3.0x10
-3

x
2
= 0.89x10
-5

x = 2.99x10
-3

We get the same answer for x, 3.0x10
-3
, so the approximation was valid. Using the quadratic
equation also gives x=2.99x10
-3
.
Now find what the problem requested:
[H
+
] = x = 3.0x10
-3

pH = -log[H
+
]
pH = -log(3.0x10
-3
)
pH = 2.52
Note that K
a
was known only to 2 significant figures, so the answer after taking the log has 2
digits past the decimal point.
Check results:
(3.0x10
-3
)(3.0x10
-3
)
Q = ----------------------
(0.500-3.0x10
-3
)
Q = 1.8x10
-5
. Q = K
a
, so the system is at equilibrium.
Q3 What is the pH of the resulting solution when 100.0 mL of 0.500 M of hypochlorous acid is
mixed with 100.0 mL water?
Unbalanced reaction: HOCl
(aq)
H
+
(aq)
+ OCl
-
(aq)
K
a
= 3.0x10
-8
at 25
o
C.
Full Solution to weak-acid practice problem IV-4(2). What is the pH of the resulting
solution when 100.0 mL of 0.500 M of hypochlorous acid is mixed with 100.0 mL water?
Unbalanced reaction: HOCl
(aq)
H
+
(aq)
+ OCl
-
(aq)
K
a
= 3.0x10
-8
at 25
o
C.

1. The pre-equilibrium concentration of HOCl
(aq)
is (0.500 M)*(100.0 mL) / 200.0 mL =
0.250 M. The pre-equilibrium concentration of H
+
(aq)
is 1.0x10
-7
due to the dissociation of
pure water. We can consider the pre-equilibrium [H
+
] to be 0.00 M since it is much lower
than 0.250 M. The pre-equilibrium concentration of OCl
-
(aq)
is 0.00 M.
2. First balance the reaction: HOCl
(aq)
H
+
(aq)
+ OCl
-
(aq)

Then write the equilibrium constant expression for this reaction:
[H
+
][OCl
-
]
K
a
= ----------
[HOCl]
3.
[H
+
][OCl
-
]
Q = ----------
[HOCl]
Since the pre-equilibrium concentrations of the products are zero, Q is zero. Thus, Q < K
eq

and the reaction will proceed in the forward direction.
4. For each mol of HOCl that dissociates, 1 mole each of H
+
and OCl
-
forms.

HOCl H
+
OCl
-

[ ]
o
0.250 M ~0.00 M 0.00 M
[ ] -x M +x M +x M
[ ]
eq
(0.250-x) M (0.00+x) M (0.00+x) M
5. Once you have the expressions for the equilibrium concentrations, you can use the
equilibrium constant expression to solve for x:
[H
+
][CH
3
COO
-
]
K
a
= -------------
[CH
3
COOH]

x
2

3.0x10
-8
= --------
(0.250-x)
There are two ways to approach this problem from here. You can rearrange the equation
above and solve for x using the quadratic equation, or you can make the approximation that x
will be much less than 0.250 M and drop the x in the denominator.
Making this approximation gives:
x
2

3.0x10
-8
= ------
0.250
x
2
= 0.75x10
-8

x = 8.66x10
-5

Before continuing, check that the approximation was valid:
x
2

3.0x10
-8
= -------------------
(0.250 - 8.66x10
-5
)
x
2
= 0.75x10
-8

x = 8.66x10
-5

We get the same answer for x, 8.66x10
-5
, so the approximation was valid.
Now find what the problem requested:
[H
+
] = x = 8.66x10
-5
M
pH = -log[H
+
]
pH = -log(8.66x10
-5
)
pH = 4.06
Note that K
a
was known only to 2 significant figures, so the answer after taking the log has 2
digits past the decimal point.
Check results:
(8.66x10
-5
)(8.66x10
-5
)
Q = ----------------------
(0.250-8.66x10
-5
)
Q = 3.0x10
-8
. Q = K
a
, so the system is at equilibrium.
Sample Weak Base Problem
Q1. What is the pH of a 0.100 M solution of ammonia (K
b
= 1.8x10
-5
)?
1. First identify what species are present, and any reactions that could occur. (The title of this
problem states that it is a weak base problem.) The only specie present is ammonia. The [OH
-
] of water (1.0x10
-7
M) can almost always be neglected. If the concentration of the weak base
is low, then you must solve a complex equilibria problem that includes the dissociation of
water. The pre-equilibrium concentration of ammonia is 0.100 M.
2. The balanced equilibrium reaction is: NH
3(aq)
+ H
2
O NH
4
+
(aq)
+ OH
-
(aq)

and the equilibrium constant expression is:
[NH
4
+
][OH
-
]
K
b
= -----------
[NH
3
]
3. Now calculate the reaction quotient, Q, to determine the direction in which the reaction
will proceed to reach equilibrium. In acid-base problems, it is seldom necessary to calculate
Q exactly. In this sample problem, the pre-equilibrium concentration of ammonium ion,
NH
4
+
, is zero, so Q is zero and the reaction goes in the forward direction.
4. For each mol of NH
3
that reacts with water, 1 mole each of NH
4
+
and OH
-
forms. The pre-
equilibrium concentrations, the concentration changes, and the equilibrium concentrations are
summarized in the following table:

NH
3
NH
4
+
OH
-

[ ]
o
0.100 M 0 ~0
[ ] -x M +x M +x M
[ ]
eq
(0.100 - x) M x M x M
Where [ ]
o
are the pre-equilibrium concentrations, [ ] are the changes in concentrations, and
[ ]
eq
are expressions for the equilibrium concentrations.
5. We can now calculate the equilibrium concentrations using the equilibrium constant
expression:
[NH
4
+
][OH
-
]
K
b
= -----------
[NH
3
]

(x)(x)
K
b
= ---------
(0.100-x)
K
b
= x
2
/ (0.100-x)
We could solve this expression exactly, but since we are dealing with a weak base, x is much
smaller than 0.100 and can be neglected in the denominator.
1.8x10
-5
= x
2
/ 0.100
x
2
= 1.8x10
-6

x = 1.3x10
-3
M
Note that x << 0.100 M, and the approximation was valid.
This problem asked for the pH of the solution.
[OH
-
] = x = 1.3x10
-3
M
pOH = -log[OH
-
] = -log(1.3x10
-3
)
pOH = 2.87
pH = 14.00 - POH = 14.00 - 2.87
pH = 11.13
We can calculate Q to check that we are at equilibrium:
Q = (1.3x10
-3
)(1.3x10
-3
) / 0.100 = 1.810
-5
. Q = K
a
, so the system is at equilibrium.
Weak Acid Problems
What is the pH of the resulting solution when 0.500 moles of acetic acid are dissolved in
water and diluted to 1.00 L?
Unbalanced reaction: CH
3
COOH
(aq)
H
+
(aq)
+ CH
3
COO
-
(aq)
K
a
= 1.8x10
-5
at 25
o
C.
What is the pH of the resulting solution when 100.0 mL of 0.500 M of hypochlorous acid
is mixed with 100.0 mL water?
Unbalanced reaction: HOCl
(aq)
H
+
(aq)
+ OCl
-
(aq)
K
a
= 3.0x10
-8
at 25
o
C.
What is the pH of the resulting solution when 0.500 moles of trichloroacetic acid are
dissolved in water and diluted to 1.00 L?
Unbalanced reaction: CCl
3
COOH
(aq)
H
+
(aq)
+ CCl
3
COO
-
(aq)
K
a
= 1.3x10
-1
at 25
o
C.
Weak Base Problems
What is the pH of the resulting solution when 250.0 mL of a 0.300 M solution of
ammonia added to 750.0 mL of water?
Unbalanced reaction: NH
3(aq)
+ H
2
O NH
4
+
(aq)
+ OH
-
(aq)
K
b
= 1.8x10
-5
at 25
o
C.
Calculate K
b
for methylamine if a solution prepared by dissolving 0.100 moles of
methylamine in 1.00 L of water has a measured pH of 11.80.
Unbalanced reaction: CH
3
NH
2(aq)
+ H
2
O CH
3
NH
3
+
(aq)
+ OH
-
(aq)

Q2 What is the pH of the resulting solution when 250.0 mL of a 0.300 M solution of ammonia
added to 750.0 mL of water?
Unbalanced reaction: NH
3(aq)
+ H
2
O NH
4
+
(aq)
+ OH
-
(aq)
K
b
= 1.8x10
-5
at 25
o
C.
Full Solution to weak-acid practice problem IV-5(1). What is the pH of the resulting
solution when 250.0 mL of a 0.300 M solution of ammonia added to 750.0 mL of water?
Unbalanced reaction: NH
3(aq)
+ H
2
O NH
4
+
(aq)
+ OH
-
(aq)
K
b
= 1.8x10
-5
at 25
o
C.

1. The pre-equilibrium concentration of NH
3(aq)
is (250 mL)*(0.300 M) / 1.000 L = 0.0750 M.
The pre-equilibrium concentration of OH
-
(aq)
is 1.0x10
-7
due to the dissociation of pure water.
We can consider the pre-equilibrium [OH
-
] to be 0.00 M since it is so much lower than
0.0750 M. Since no ammonium ion is initially added in this problem, the pre-equilibrium
concentration of NH
4
+
(aq)
is 0.00 M.
2. First balance the reaction: NH
3(aq)
+ H
2
O NH
4
+
(aq)
+ OH
-
(aq)

Then write the equilibrium constant expression for this reaction:
[NH
4
+
][OH
-
]
K
b
= -----------
[NH
3
]
3.
[NH
4
+
][OH
-
]
Q = -----------
[NH
3
]
Since the pre-equilibrium concentrations of the products are zero, Q is zero. Thus, Q < K
eq

and the reaction will proceed in the forward direction.
4. For each mol of NH
3
that reacts with water, 1 mole each of NH
4
+
and OH
-
forms.

NH
3
NH
4
+
OH
-

[ ]
o
0.0750 M 0 ~0
[ ] -x M +x M +x M
[ ]
eq
(0.0750 - x) M x M x M
5. Once you have the expressions for the equilibrium concentrations, you can use the
equilibrium constant expression to solve for x:
[NH
4
+
][OH
-
]
K
b
= -----------
[NH
3
]

(x)(x)
K
b
= ---------
(0.0750-x)
K
b
= x
2
/ (0.0750-x)
There are two ways to approach this problem from here. You can rearrange the equation
above and solve for x using the quadratic equation, or you can make the approximation that x
will be much less than 0.0750 M and drop the x in the denominator.
Making this approximation gives:
x
2

1.8x10
-5
= ------
0.0750
x
2
= 1.35x10
-6

x = 1.16x10
-3

Before continuing, check that the approximation was valid:
x
2

1.8x10
-5
= -----------------
(0.0750 - 1.16x10
-3
)
x
2
= 1.33x10
-6

x = 1.15x10
-3

We get essentially the same answer for x, 1.15x10
-3
, so the approximation was valid.
This problem asked for the pH of the solution.
[OH
-
] = x = 1.15x10
-3
M
pOH = -log[OH
-
] = -log(1.15x10
-3
)
pOH = 2.94
pH = 14.00 - POH = 14.00 - 2.94
pH = 11.06
We can calculate Q to check that we are at equilibrium:
Q = (1.15x10
-3
)(1.15x10
-3
) / (0.0750 - 1.15x10
-3
) = 1.8x10
-5
. Q = K
a
, so the system is at
equilibrium.