The first and second ionization constants of a weak dibasic acid H2A are 8.1 10-8 and 1.0 10-13 respectively. 0.1 mol of H2A was dissolved in 1 L of 0.1 M HCl solution. The concentration of HA- in the resultant solution is:
- 0.1 M
- 9.53 10-6 M
- 8.1 10-8 M
- 1.0 10-13 M
Answer
(3) 8.1 10-8 M
Solution
HCl is a strong acid ⇒ [H+] = 0.1 M. Due to the common ion H+, ionisation of the weak acid is suppressed ⇒ [H2A] 0.1 M.
H2A H+ + HA-, Ka1 = [H+][HA-][H2A]
⇒ [HA-] = Ka1[H2A][H+]
⇒ [HA-] = 8.1 10-8 0.10.1 = 8.1 10-8 M
(Ka2 is very small, so the further ionisation of HA- is negligible.)
Answer: (3)