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First part of the question: We want to calculate the concentrations of all speci

ID: 487457 • Letter: F

Question

First part of the question: We want to calculate the concentrations of all species in a 0.56 M Na2SO3 (sodium sulfite) solution. The ionization constants for sulfurous acid are Ka1 = 1.4× 10–2 and Ka2 = 6.3× 10–8. Let's start by first calculating the concentration of the spectator ion, Na+ = ?

Second part of the question: Write the appropriate equilibria and associate the correct Kb values. Remember we will want to calculate the concentrations of all species in a 1.02 M Na2SO3 (sodium sulfite) solution. The ionization constants for sulfurous acid are Ka1 = 1.4× 10–2 and Ka2 = 6.3× 10–8.

SO32-(aq) + H2O yields HSO3-(aq) + OH-(aq)

Kb value (25 degrees) = ?

HSO3-(aq) + H2O yields H2SO3(aq) + OH-(aq)

Kb value (25 degrees) = ?

Explanation / Answer

Apply:

Na2A --> 2Na+ + A-2

so A-2 is a weak acid, so it will hydrolyze to form

A-2+ H2O <---> HA- + OH- Kb2

and then

HA- + H2O <-> H2A + OH- Kb1

Recall that

Kb1 = Kw/Ka1 = (10^-14) / (1.42*10^-2) = 7.0422*10^-13

Kb2 = Kw/Ka2 = (10^-14) / (6.3*10^-8) = 1.5873*10^-7

then...

from Kb2:

Kb2 = [HA-][OH-]/[A-2]

assume, initially:

[Na+] = 2*[Na2SO3] = 2*1.02 = 2.04 M

[A-2] = 1.02

[HA-] = [OH-] = 0

in equilibrium:

[A-2] = 1.02 - x

[HA-] = [OH-] = 0 + x

substitute and solve:

7.0422*10^-13 = (x)(x)/ (1.02-x)

solving for x:

x =8.47*10^-7

so...

[A-2] = 0.1 - x= 1.02-8.47*10^-7 = 1.0199

[HA-] = [OH-] = 0 + 8.47*10^-7 =   8.47*10^-7

now...

next equilibrium

Kb1 = [H2A][OH-]/[HA-]

assume

[H2A] = 0

[OH-] = x =  8.47*10^-7

[HA-] = x=  8.47*10^-7

in equilibrium:

[H2A] = 0 + y

[OH-] = x + y =  8.47*10^-7 + y

[HA-] = x - y=  8.47*10^-7 - y

so... substitute

Kb1 = [H2A][OH-]/[HA-]

1.5873*10^-7 = (y)(8.47*10^-7 + y) / ( 8.47*10^-7 - y)

solve for y:

(1.5873*10^-7)(8.47*10^-7) - (8.47*10^-7)(y) =  (y)(8.47*10^-7) + y^2

y^2 + (0.000001694)y - 1.344*10^-13 = 0

y = 1.339*10^-13

so:

[H2A] = 0 + y = 1.339*10^-13

[OH-] = x + y = 8.47*10^-7+ +1.339*10^-13 =  8.47*10^-7

[HA-] = x - y= 8.47*10^-7+ -1.339*10^-13 = 8.340*10^-7