When a weak acid like hypobromous acid (
HOBr) is added to water, it doesn't completely dissociate. Instead, some of the molecules dissociate to form hydrogen ions ([H
+]) and hypobromite ions ([OBr
−]). The solution reaches a state called equilibrium where the rates of dissociation and recombination of the molecules are equal. This means concentrations of the reactants and products remain constant over time.
At equilibrium, the concentration of [H
+] will match the concentration of [OBr
−] because they are produced in a 1:1 ratio, as indicated by the balanced equation:
HOBr(aq) ⇌ H
+(aq) + OBr
−(aq). The initial concentration of the acid will decrease by the same amount as the hydrogen ion concentration.
- Example: If the initial concentration of
HOBr is 0.040 M and [H+] at equilibrium is 8.91 × 10-6 M, then [HOBr] has decreased by this amount.
- Therefore, the equilibrium concentration of
HOBr is (0.040 - 8.91 × 10-6) M.
Understanding these equilibrium processes helps predict how a weak acid behaves in solution.