Chapter 20: Problem 86
Calculate the \(\mathrm{pH}\) of a \(0.200 \mathrm{M} \mathrm{GaCl}_{3}(a q)\) solution at \(25^{\circ} \mathrm{C}\).
Short Answer
Expert verified
The pH of 0.200 M GaCl3 is slightly less than 7, due to weakly acidic Ga3+ ions.
Step by step solution
01
Understanding GaCl3 Dissociation
Gallium chloride, \( \text{GaCl}_3 \), dissociates in water to form gallium ions \( \text{Ga}^{3+} \) and chloride ions \( \text{Cl}^- \). The reaction is \( \text{GaCl}_3 (aq) \rightarrow \text{Ga}^{3+} (aq) + 3\text{Cl}^- (aq) \). Gallium ions act as a weak acid by hydrolysis in water.
02
Writing the Hydrolysis Equation
\( \text{Ga}^{3+} \) ions undergo hydrolysis in water following the equation: \( \text{Ga}^{3+} (aq) + 3\text{H}_2\text{O} (l) \leftrightarrow \text{Ga(OH)}_3 (s) + 3\text{H}^+ (aq) \). This reaction increases the \( \text{H}^+ \) concentration, influencing the \( \text{pH} \).
03
Determine the Concentration of \( \text{H}^+ \)
The initial concentration of \( \text{Ga}^{3+} \) is 0.200 M. If \( x \) is the concentration of \( \text{H}^+ \) produced, then the hydrolysis equilibrium can be approximated if \( K_{\text{hyd}} \) is known, but it's typically a very small value due to the weak acidic nature of \( \text{Ga}^{3+} \). For simplicity, assume \( x \approx \text{small} \) leading to \( x \approx 3\sqrt[3]{K_{\text{hyd}} \cdot 0.200} \), given the weakly acidic nature.
04
Calculating \( \text{pH} \)
Given \( x \) as the \( \text{H}^+ \) ion concentration is a small quantity, \( \text{pH} \approx -\log([\text{H}^+]) \). Typically for weak hydrolyzing species like \( \text{Ga}^{3+} \), the contribution is minimal, possibly affecting \( \text{pH} \) negligibly.
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Acid-Base Equilibrium
Acid-base equilibrium is a principle that describes the balance between acids and bases in a solution. Whenever a compound like \( ext{GaCl}_3\) is dissolved in water, it dissociates into ions. In this case, it produces \( ext{Ga}^{3+}\) ions. These ions participate in the acid-base equilibrium by reacting with water. This reaction often aims to reach a state of equilibrium where the rate of the forward reaction (formation of ions) equals the rate of the reverse reaction (recombination of ions).
- The equilibrium, once achieved, maintains the pH of the solution relatively stable.
- Understanding this principle helps us determine how substances like \( ext{GaCl}_3\) can alter the pH in aqueous solutions.
Hydrolysis
Hydrolysis is the chemical breakdown of a compound due to reaction with water. For gallium ions \( ext{Ga}^{3+}\), hydrolysis takes place when these ions interact with water molecules to form \( ext{Ga(OH)}_3\) and release \( ext{H}^+\) ions. This process raises the concentration of \( ext{H}^+\) ions in the solution, thus affecting the pH.Consider the equation:\[ \text{Ga}^{3+}(aq) + 3\text{H}_2\text{O}(l) \leftrightarrow \text{Ga(OH)}_3(s) + 3\text{H}^+(aq) \]
- As the reaction proceeds, the formation of \( ext{H}^+\) ions pushes the equilibrium towards a more acidic environment.
- This tendency to yield more \( ext{H}^+\) ions illustrates how hydrolysis directly influences the pH of the solution.
Weak Acids
Weak acids are substances that do not completely dissociate in water. In the context of \( ext{Ga}^{3+}\) ions, they act as weak acids because the hydrolysis reaction only partially proceeds to release \( ext{H}^+\) ions.Because the dissociation is incomplete:
- A calculation for \( ext{H}^+\) concentration often involves assumptions regarding the equilibrium constant \(K_{\text{hyd}}\). This is usually a small value.
- The result is that the \( ext{H}^+\) ions influence the pH minimally compared to stronger acids.
Gallium Ions
Gallium ions \( ext{Ga}^{3+}\) are the central players in the discussed reactions. When \( ext{GaCl}_3\) dissolves in water, it releases these ions, which undergo hydrolysis, behaving as weak acids. This reaction contributes to slight shifts in pH.Key aspects of gallium ions:
- They are trivalent, meaning they have a charge of \( +3 \) when dissolved, which significantly affects their behavior in solution.
- Their hydrolytic nature highlights their importance in understanding chemical equilibria when calculating the pH of solutions containing \( ext{GaCl}_3\).