Aqueous solutions of phosphoric acid and sodium nitrite are combined, and the fo

Question

Aqueous solutions of phosphoric acid and sodium nitrite are combined, and the following equilibrium is established. H3PO4 (aq) + NO2- (aq) = H2PO4-(aq) + HNO2 (aq)

The equilibrium constant Kc for this reaction is greater than one. Based on this information, which of the following statements is correct?

a. Phosphoric acid is a weaker acid than nitrous acid.

b. Nitrous acid is a weaker acid than water.

c. The nitrite anion is a wesker base than the dihydrogen phosphate anion.

e. Phosphoric acid is a stronger acid than nitrous acid.

Explanation / Answer

Since Kc>1, this reaction tends to favor the forward reaction, thus:
e. Phosphoric acid is a stronger acid than nitrous acid.

[By the way, b. is meaningless, since water is neutral (pH of 7), so anything weaker would be a base, not a weak acid.]

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