Ka, Kb, & Ksp

Ka
 Expressions similar to the equilibrium constant expression can
also be written for acids, bases, water, & things that dissolve
(solubility product).
 Weak acids exist in equilibrium.
 An ionization constant, Ka,
Ka can be written to show how much
the weak acids are ionized.
 EX: acetic acid
 HC2H3O2(aq) + H2O(l)  H3O+(aq)+C2H3O2- (aq)
 Ka= [H3O+][C2H3O2- ] (pure H2O left out)
[HC2H3O2]
You try it!
Write the acid equilibrium expression, Ka, for
the acid HC3H5O3.
HC3H5O3 (aq) + H2O (l) C3H5O3- + H3O+
Ka = [C3H5O3-]
[H3O+]
If the [HC3H5O3] is 0.750 M and the [C3H5O3-]
is the same as [H3O+] and the pH is 3.38,
calculate the Ka. 10-pH = [H3O+] = 10-3.38 = 4.17 x 10-

Ka =[4.17 x 10-4][4.17 x 10-4]= 2.32 x 10-7

[0.750]
Kb
 Weak bases have the same properties as weak acids.
 A base dissociation constant can be written. B(aq) +

H2O(l)  BH+(aq)+ OH-(aq)

 Kb = [BH+][OH- ] (pure H2O left out)

[B]
 Calculate Kb
NH3 is a weak base with a Kb of 1.8 x 10-5.
Write the base equilibrium expression Kb.
NH3 (aq) + H2O (l) NH4+ (aq) + OH- (aq)
Kb = [NH4+] [OH-]
[NH3 ]
If [OH-] and [NH4+] are both 0.01, calculate the
[NH3] at equilibrium.

Kb = 1.8 x 10-5 = [0.01[0.01] [NH ] = 5.55 M

3
[NH3 ]
What does Ka or Kb tell
you?
The weaker the acid, the smaller the Ka will
be (the acid would rather stay together than
separate).

The weaker the base, the smaller the Kb will

be.
Buffered Solutions
Buffered solutions – resist changes in pH

They are usually made of a weak acid/base

and its conjugate ionic compound.

Ex: HF is acid, F- is conjugate

HNO2 is acid,
NO2- is conjugate
Example of a Buffer: HF/F-
HF (aq) + H2O (l) F- (aq) + H3O+(aq)

F- (aq) + H2O (l) HF (aq) + OH- (aq)

This will resist changing in pH by shifting equilibrium.

If OH- is added, it will react with the HF

If H+ is added, it will react with the F-
Either way, pH remains relatively stable.
Solubility Product
 Solubility product constants follow the same idea, but
require more thinking.
 If a substance is slightly soluble, it can still be in an
equilibrium, but not much of the chunk of solid has
dissolved. EX: AgCl (s)  Ag+(aq) +Cl-(aq)
 K= [Ag+][ Cl- ] Ksp= [Ag+][ Cl- ]
 AgCl is left out because it is a pure solid&
solid also
because its concentration is basically unchanging.
 If numbers are known, Ksp can be used for
concentration calculations.
Calculate Ksp
A copper(I) bromide solution has a solubility of
2.0 x 10-4M at 298 K. Calculate the Ksp.

CuBr (s) Cu+ (aq) + Br- (aq)

CuBr will break into two parts, so the [Cu+] will

be the same as the [Br-]; 2.0 x 10-4 M

Ksp = [Cu+ ][Br-] = (2.0 x 10-4 M)(2.0 x 10-4 M) =

4.0 x 10-8
 Your Turn!
 The pH of a 0.400 M solution of iodic acid, HIO3
is 0.726 at 25 C. What is the Ka at this
temperature?
 HIO3(aq) + H2O(l)  H3O+(aq) + IO3-1(aq)

 pH = -log[H3O+]

[H3O+ ] = 10–0.726 = 0.188 M

Ka = [H3O+][IO3–1] = [0.188][0.188] =0.088
[HIO3] [0.400]
Ka = 0.088
 Work it Out!
 The pH of a 0.150 M solution of hypochlorous
acid, HClO, is found to be 4.55 at 25 C.
Calculate the ka for HClO at this temperature.
 HClO(aq) + H2O(l)  H3O+(aq) + ClO-1(aq)

 pH = -log[H3O+ ]

[H3O+ ] = 10–4.55= 2.82 x 10-5 M

Ka = [H3O+][ClO–1] = [2.82 x 10-5 ][2.82 x 10-
5 ]

[HClO] [0.150]
Ka = 5.3 x 10-9 M
 Last One!
 The compound propylamine, CH3CH2CH2NH2,
is a weak base. At equilibrium, a 0.039 M
solution of propylamine has an OH-
concentration of 3.74 x 10-3M. Calculate the
pH of this solution and Kb for propylamine.
CH3CH2CH2NH2 + H2O(l)  CH3CH2CH2NH3+ + OH-
Kb = [CH3CH2CH2NH3+][OH–1] = [3.74 x 10-3]2=
CH3CH2CH2NH2 [0.039]
Kb = 3.59 x 10-4 M
pOH = -log 3.74 x 10-3 M pOH = 2.42
pH = 14-2.42 pH = 11.58
 Trivia TIME!
What are the only two letter that do not
appear in any postal abbreviations of
states in the US?

B+Q