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K_a x K_b = Kw = 1 x 10^-14 We can calculate Kb for the carbonate ion if we know

ID: 972893 • Letter: K

Question

K_a x K_b = Kw = 1 x 10^-14 We can calculate Kb for the carbonate ion if we know the K_a values for carbonic acid (H_2CO_3) Is K_al or K_a2 of carbonic acid used to calculate the Kb for the carbonate (CO3 / ion? Explain Calculate Kb for the carbonate ion Is the carbonate ion a weaker or stronger base than ammonia? (see table 16-4 for Kb of ammonia) Why? Given that K, for acetic acid is 1 8 x 10'5 and that for hypo chorus acid is 3 x 10'8 Which is the stronger acid? Which is the stronger base?, the acetate ion or the hyp chlorous ion? Calculate Kb values for and CIO'

Explanation / Answer

Dear Student,

Question No. 3.

a. Carbonic acid is one of the polyprotic acids: It is diprotic - it has two protons, which may dissociate from the parent molecule. Thus, there are two dissociation constants for carbonic acid.

H2CO3 HCO3 + H+

Ka1 = 4.3 x 10-7

Ka2 = 5.6 x 10-11

Therefore, both Ka values of carbonic acid are considered to calculate Kb.

b To calculate Kb for carbonate ion.

Formula: Ka  x Kb  =  Kw

Kw = 1 x 10-14

Kb1 for carbonate ion = 1 x 10-14 / 4.3 x 10-7  = 2.32 x 10-8

Kb2 for carbonate ion = 1 x 10-14 / 5.6 x 10-11 =  1.78 x 10-4

Therefore, Kb values for carbonate ion are 2.32 x 10-8 and 1.78 x 10-4.

c. The second pKa of carbonic acid is at about 5.6, so the carbonate anion CO32- has a pKb of about 4, which is kind of middling - stronger than ammonia, but much weaker than hydroxide bases.

Therefore, carbonate ion is a stronger base than ammonia.

Question No. 4

Given:

Ka for acetic acid = 1.8 x 10-5

Ka for hypochlorous acid = 3 x 10-8

a. Acetic Acid is a stronger acid because the Ka value of acetic acid is 1.8 x 10-5 and Ka value of hypochlorous acid is 3 x 10-8. A stronger acid will generate more hydronium ions in solution. A larger Ka indicates a greater ratio of ions (including hydronium ions) to uncharged acid. Therefore, a larger Ka indicates a stronger acid.

b. Hypochlorous ion is a strong base. From the table of Ka values acetic acid is a strong acid in compare to the hypochlorous acid. But conversely the conjugate base of acetic acid C2H3O2- is weak base in compare to conjugate base of hypochlorous acid OCl - . Thus the hypochlorite ion OCl - is a stronger base than the acetate ion C2H3O2- .

c. To calculate Kb for acetic acid and hypochlorous acid

Formula: Ka  x Kb  =  Kw

Kw = 1 x 10-14

Kb for acetic acid = 1 x 10-14 / 1.8 x 10-5 = 5.5 x 10-10

Kb for hypochlorous acid = 1 x 10-14 / 3 x 10-8 = 3.3 x 10-7

Therefore, Kb values for acetic acid and hypochlorous acid are 5.5 x 10-10 and 3.3 x 10-7 respectively.