Chapter 16: Problem 44
Chloroacetic acid, \(\mathrm{HC}_{2} \mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{ClO}_{2},\) has a greater acid strength than acetic acid, because the electronegative chlorine atom pulls electrons away from the \(\mathrm{O}-\mathrm{H}\) bond and thus weakens it. Calculate the hydronium-ion concentration and the \(\mathrm{pH}\) of a \(0.0020 \mathrm{M}\) solution of chloroacetic acid. \(K\) is \(1.3 \times 10^{-3}\)
Short Answer
Step by step solution
Write the dissociation equation
Set up the expression for the acid dissociation constant, \(K_a\)
Assume initial conditions for concentrations
Establish the equilibrium concentrations
Substitute into \(K_a\) expression and solve for \(x\)
Calculate hydronium-ion concentration
Calculate pH
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Chloroacetic Acid
This electronegative property weakens the bond between hydrogen and oxygen in the acid, making it easier for the acid to release a proton.
- **Greater Acid Strength:** The weakening of the O-H bond by the chlorine atom makes chloroacetic acid stronger than acetic acid.
- **Molecular Structure:** The formula for chloroacetic acid is HC鈧侶鈧侰lO鈧, showcasing its chloride substitution which significantly impacts acid behavior.
pH Calculation
Once we know [H鈧僌鈦篯, the pH can be found using the formula: pH = -log([H鈧僌鈦篯).
A calculator is typically used to compute this logarithmic expression.
- **Low pH Value (below 7):** Indicates an acidic solution.
- **Calculation Steps:** Given the solution of chloroacetic acid with a concentration of 1.61 脳 10鈦宦 M hydronium ions, the pH can be calculated as approximately 2.79.
Hydronium Ion Concentration
The concentration of hydronium ions is crucial for calculating the pH and understanding the acid's strength.
- **Formation:** In the dissociation equation of chloroacetic acid, HC鈧侶鈧侰lO鈧, the acid releases a proton which forms H鈧僌鈦 in solution.
- **Equilibrium:** At equilibrium, the concentration of hydronium ions is equal to the amount of acid that dissociates, denoted by the variable "x" in equilibrium calculations.
- **Final Concentration:** In the case of chloroacetic acid, the [H鈧僌鈦篯 is found to be 1.61 脳 10鈦宦 M.
Chemical Equilibrium
- **Equilibrium Expression:** The expression for the equilibrium condition of chloroacetic acid is given by the equation: K鈧 = [H鈧僌鈦篯[C鈧侶鈧侰lO鈧傗伝] / [HC鈧侶鈧侰lO鈧俔.
- **Role of K鈧:** The acid dissociation constant, K鈧, measures the strength of the acid and how much it dissociates in water.
- **Assumptions in Calculations:** Often, "x," representing the change in concentration, is assumed small compared to initial concentrations for simplification.