For which of the following acids would a 1.00 M solution have the lowest pH ( highest H+ concentration)?

a) All acids listed would have the same pH and [H+]
b)HC2H3O2, Ka = 1.8 * 10^-5
c)HF, Ka = 7.4*10^-4
d)HCN, Ka = 6.2 *10^-10

Answer:
The pH of 1.00M solution of the acid will depend upon the degree of hydrolysis in water. If the acid is strong one and can dissociate completely than its pH will be low otherwise it may not not go down much as compared with pure water.
Here, the correct answer is HF i.e. option 'C' ,as HF has got the highest Ka value.
Thus, it can be concluded that higher the value of pK lower will be the pH of the solution,.
the acid with the highest Ka will have the lowest pH.

if its easier for you to see, convert the Ka values to pKa values by taking the negative log of the Ka.

pKa = -log Ka

the pKa scale is similar to the pH scale, so the acid with the lowest pKa has the lowest pH.
Ka is a measure of how dissociated the acid is. so figure it out.
HF is the answer.
The right answer is HF.
For a weak acid, [H+] = {cKa}^0.5
So, the acid with highest dissociation constant will have highest H+ ion concentration and lowest pH.

The answers post by the user, for information only, FunQA.com does not guarantee the right.



More Questions and Answers:
  • Second Year Chem. pH problem?
  • Find molar volume of an ideal gas?
  • Something in Chem lab that i'm curious about.?
  • What is 'reducing effect' in chemistry?
  • A 10.0mL sample of NaCl solution has a mass of 10.416g. When the solution is evaporated to dryness,the solid?
  • What is sodium acetate?
  • Calculate the volume in liters and mL of a .324 Molar solution of H2SO4 required to react completely?
  • Which of the following is not a physical method of separation?
  • Chemical problem?