Acetic acid’s pKais 4.2 and ammonium hydroxide pKbis 3.24. What ...
We know that the pH of the solution of a weak acid and a weak base is given by 1/2pKW + 1/2pKa – 1/2pKb. So pH = 7 + 12[4.2 – 3.24]; pH = 7 + 0.48 = 7.48, we get this by substituting acetic acid’s pKa as 4.2 and ammonium hydroxide pKb as 3.24.
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Acetic acid’s pKais 4.2 and ammonium hydroxide pKbis 3.24. What ...
Calculation of pH of Ammonium Acetate Solution
Ammonium acetate is a salt formed by the reaction of acetic acid and ammonium hydroxide. When dissolved in water, it dissociates into ammonium ions (NH4+) and acetate ions (CH3COO-).
Step 1: Calculate the concentration of NH4+ and CH3COO-
- The initial concentration of NH4+ is the same as the concentration of ammonium acetate, as it fully dissociates.
- The initial concentration of CH3COO- is also the same as the concentration of ammonium acetate, as it fully dissociates.
Step 2: Calculate the equilibrium concentration of acetic acid (CH3COOH)
- Due to the reaction NH4+ + CH3COO- ⇌ CH3COOH + NH3, the concentration of CH3COOH increases by the same amount as the NH4+ ion concentration.
Step 3: Calculate the equilibrium concentration of NH3
- Due to the reaction NH4+ + CH3COO- ⇌ CH3COOH + NH3, the concentration of NH3 increases by the same amount as the CH3COO- ion concentration.
Step 4: Calculate the pH of the solution
- Use the Henderson-Hasselbalch equation: pH = pKa + log([A-]/[HA]).
- Substitute the values for pKa, [A-] (CH3COO-), and [HA] (CH3COOH) to find the pH of the solution.
Therefore, the pH of the ammonium acetate solution is 7.48 (option D).