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The first and second ionization constants of a diprotic acid H2A are Ka1 and Ka2

ID: 944772 • Letter: T

Question

The first and second ionization constants of a diprotic acid H2A are Ka1 and Ka2 at a certain temperature. Under what conditions will [ A2 ] = Ka2? If Ka1 is much larger than Ka2, then the equilibrium hydrogen ion concentration results from the first ionization. And, if the equilibrium hydrogen ion concentration is much smaller than Ka2, then [ A2 ] will equal Ka2. If Ka1 is much larger than Ka2, then the equilibrium hydrogen ion concentration results from the first ionization. And, if the equilibrium hydrogen ion concentration is much smaller than Ka2, then [ A2 ] will equal Ka2. If Ka1 is much smaller than Ka2, then the equilibrium hydrogen ion concentration results from the first ionization. And, if the equilibrium hydrogen ion concentration is much larger than Ka2, then [ A2 ] will equal Ka2.

Explanation / Answer

If the value of Ka1 >> Ka2, then all the H+ or hydrogen ion concentration will be coming from the first ionization and in that case, the value of Ka2 will be almost equal to [A2-]

Ka2 = [x][A2-]/x

Ka2 = [A2-]

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