for question = 1
question
utions in wate
7 A ‘1 its
This is a constant for all aqueous equilibria involving weak acids. Therefore,
value can be incorporated into the equilibrium expression:
_ TOUT
Rae 55.6= Ta
K, = Kiyue X 55.6
Base dissociation constant, K,
An aqueous solution of a,jyeakebasesissimequilibriumiwithiits!conjugatelacid, for
example:
NH + H,0 = NH,* + OH
The expression for the base dissociation constant, Kp, is:
[NH,“][OH7]
[NH]
As with weak-acidss[HsO}"is omitted from the expression becausesitsivalliélis
constant in aqueous equilibria involving weak bases. >
Auto-ionisation of water and the
PH scale
Water is amphoteric. It can act as both: aybase, as in its reaction with hydrogen
chloride, or.as;amaeid, as in its reaction with ammonia.
The amphotericnaturevofwater is even eyident in the absenceofranotheracid
grbase. One molecule of water can protonate another molecule of water:
K=
H,0 + H,0 = H,0* + OH
acid base conjugate acid conjugate base
The equilibrium constant for this reaction is given the symbol K,. The equilib-
tium expression does not include the term [HO] because its value is constant.
K,= [H30°] [0H]
This is often written as K,, = {H*][OH7}.
K,-is also called the ionic product of water. Its value, at 25°C, is
1.0x 10" mol? dm~.
In any aqueous solution, the value of (H*] x [OH"] always equals Ky, the value
of which is 1.0 x 10- mol? dm’ at 25°C,
1.0 x 10-#
(H*]
For an acidic solution containing 1.0 x 10-3 moldm=3 of
10x 10-4
[OH] = Toxi10> = 10x10" moldm?
Thus [OH-] =
H*(aq) ions,
—_ Chapter 5: Acid-base equilibria