How do you calculate the pH of a weak acid?

Lets say we have 0.89 mol dm-3 of CH3COOH, a weak acid, with a ka of 1.7X10^-5.We want to find Ph, but to do this we first need to know [H+] because PH = -log10[H+].Because CH3COOH is a weak acid, it only partially dissociates,         CH3COOH <--------> CH3COO- + H+therefore it has an acid dissociation contast (ka)ka= [CH3COO-] [H+] / [CH3COOH]Because both of ur products are coming from the single reactant, and because of the molar ratios of the chemical equation, [CH3OO-] = [H+].so we can simplify our expression to ka = [H+]^2/ [CH3COO]With weak acids we are able to make an important assumption. Because dissociation is weak, we can assume [H+] is really small, so much so that 1- [H+] is roughly 1. S0 [H+} is roughly 0.The amount of reactant we have at eqm in this reaction is equal to amount at start-amount of each product formed at eqm.Therefore [CH3COOH] at the start of the reaction is roughly unchanged at equilibirum, its a bit like saying [CH3COOH]-0 is still [CH3COOH].Therefore we can say ka= [H+]^2 / 0.89Plug in the ka value: 1.7 x 10^-5 = [H+]^2 / 0.89Remember we said we were looking to find [H+] so lets rearrange to make [H+] the subject:[H+]^2= (1.7 x 10 ^-5 ) x 0.89[H+] ^2 = 1.513x 10^ -5[H+] = 3.89x 10^-3ph = -log10(3.89 x 10^-3)ph= 2.4

AH
Answered by Amy H. Chemistry tutor

11284 Views

See similar Chemistry A Level tutors

Related Chemistry A Level answers

All answers ▸

There are three test tubes. One containing HCl, one containing HBr and containing HI. How could you identify which is in each test tube?


what is the number of ion in 7.41g of calcium hydoxide Ca(OH)2 ?


Define the standard enthalpy of formation


Describe two different test tube reactions to identify the following organic compounds: propanal and benzoic acid.


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

© MyTutorWeb Ltd 2013–2025

Terms & Conditions|Privacy Policy
Cookie Preferences