Chapter 16: Problem 38
Basicity of orthophosphoric acid is (a) 5 (b) 4 (c) 3 (d) 2
Short Answer
Expert verified
The basicity of orthophosphoric acid is 3.
Step by step solution
01
Understanding Basicity
Basicity in the context of acids refers to the number of hydrogen ions (H鈦) the acid can donate in a solution. It corresponds to the number of replaceable hydrogen ions in one molecule of the acid.
02
Identify the Acid
Orthophosphoric acid is chemically written as H鈧働O鈧. It is a weak acid and dissociates in steps to donate hydrogen ions.
03
Counting Replaceable Hydrogen Atoms
For H鈧働O鈧, there are three hydrogen atoms that can potentially be ionized and replaced by basic radicals or can be donated as H鈦 ions. Each step of dissociation involves the release of one H鈦 ion. Thus, orthophosphoric acid can release three H鈦 ions.
04
Determining Basicity
The basicity of an acid is the total number of H鈦 ions it can donate. Since orthophosphoric acid (H鈧働O鈧) can release three hydrogen ions, its basicity is 3.
05
Choosing the Correct Option
From the provided options, the correct choice is (c) 3, as H鈧働O鈧 has three replaceable hydrogen ions, determining its basicity as 3.
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Orthophosphoric Acid
Orthophosphoric acid, also known as phosphoric acid, is a commonly encountered substance in chemistry. Its chemical formula is \( \text{H}_3\text{PO}_4 \). This formula indicates the presence of three hydrogen atoms, one phosphorus atom, and four oxygen atoms.
In practice, orthophosphoric acid serves as a weak acid. This means it does not fully dissociate in solution, unlike strong acids like hydrochloric acid (HCl). Instead, it partially ionizes, making it a prime example in studies about hydrogen ion donations and acid dissociation.
With its role in the food industry as a preservative and its use in fertilizers, understanding the characteristics of orthophosphoric acid is not only helpful but essential to several fields. It's a versatile compound with vital applications, and knowing its properties allows us to utilize it effectively.
In practice, orthophosphoric acid serves as a weak acid. This means it does not fully dissociate in solution, unlike strong acids like hydrochloric acid (HCl). Instead, it partially ionizes, making it a prime example in studies about hydrogen ion donations and acid dissociation.
With its role in the food industry as a preservative and its use in fertilizers, understanding the characteristics of orthophosphoric acid is not only helpful but essential to several fields. It's a versatile compound with vital applications, and knowing its properties allows us to utilize it effectively.
Hydrogen Ions Donation
Hydrogen ions (H鈦) donation is a key concept in understanding acids. When acids like orthophosphoric acid dissolve in water, they release hydrogen ions into the solution. This process not only determines the acidity of the solution but also explains the acid's basicity, or the number of replaceable or ionizable hydrogen ions.
For orthophosphoric acid, this involves donating up to three hydrogen ions. It's important to remember that with each ionization step, one hydrogen ion is released, contributing to the solution's acidity.
For orthophosphoric acid, this involves donating up to three hydrogen ions. It's important to remember that with each ionization step, one hydrogen ion is released, contributing to the solution's acidity.
- First step: Releases one H鈦 ion.
- Second step: Releases another H鈦 ion.
- Third step: Releases the final H鈦 ion.
Acid Dissociation Steps
The dissociation of orthophosphoric acid occurs in distinct steps, with each step involving the gradual loss of a hydrogen ion. These steps reflect its behavior as a triprotic acid, meaning it can undergo three dissociation processes.
Here's a breakdown of the dissociation steps in orthophosphoric acid:
Here's a breakdown of the dissociation steps in orthophosphoric acid:
- First dissociation: \( \text{H}_3\text{PO}_4 \rightarrow \text{H}^+ + \text{H}_2\text{PO}_4^- \)
- Second dissociation: \( \text{H}_2\text{PO}_4^- \rightarrow \text{H}^+ + \text{HPO}_4^{2-} \)
- Third dissociation: \( \text{HPO}_4^{2-} \rightarrow \text{H}^+ + \text{PO}_4^{3-} \)