What is the pH of a solution of 0.01 M acetic acid, CH3COOH?
acetic acid, CH3COOH
Ka = 1.80 × 10-5
First, let HA represent acetic acid, CH3COOH.
R | HA | + H2O ⇌ | H3O+ | A– |
---|---|---|---|---|
I | 0.01 | 0 - x | 0 - x | |
C | –x | +x | +x | |
E | 0.01 – x | +x | +x |
For acetic acid, CH3COOH
Ka = 1.80 × 10-5
from RICE table: \(\displaystyle K_{\rm a} = {\rm [H_3O^+][A^-]\over [HA]} = {x^2 \over 0.01 – x} \)
\(K_{\rm a}(0.01) - K_{\rm a}(x) = x^2 \)
\(0 = x^2 + K_{\rm a}(x) - K_{\rm a}(0.01) \)
\(\displaystyle x = {-K + \sqrt{K^2 + 4K(0.01)}\over 2}\)
\(\displaystyle x = 4.1536 \times 10^{-4} \)
using assumption: \(x = \sqrt{K_{\rm a}(0.01 )} = 4.2426 \times 10^{-4}\)
which is a percent difference of pH = 2.14 %
this is a fairly good match to the actual answer
For 0.01 M acid solution
where Ka = 1.80 × 10-5
[H3O+] = 4.15 × 10-4 M
[OH–] = 2.41 × 10-11 M
pH = 3.38
pOH = 10.62