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However, general purpose computer programs that are used to derive equilibrium constant values from experimental data use association constants for both acids and bases. Because stability constants for a metal-ligand complex are always specified as association constants, ligand protonation must also be specified as an association reaction. [17]
Strong acids, such as sulfuric or phosphoric acid, have large dissociation constants; weak acids, such as acetic acid, have small dissociation constants. The symbol K a , used for the acid dissociation constant, can lead to confusion with the association constant , and it may be necessary to see the reaction or the equilibrium expression to ...
When there is a hydrogen ion gradient between two sides of the biological membrane, the concentration of some weak bases are focused on only one side of the membrane. [6] Weak bases tend to build up in acidic fluids. [6] Acid gastric contains a higher concentration of weak base than plasma. [6]
For example, acetic acid is a weak acid which has a = 1.75 x 10 −5. Its conjugate base is the acetate ion with K b = 10 −14 /K a = 5.7 x 10 −10 (from the relationship K a × K b = 10 −14), which certainly does not correspond to a strong base. The conjugate of a weak acid is often a weak base and vice versa.
K a is variously named a dissociation constant, [3] an acid ionization constant, [2]: 668 an acidity constant [1] or an ionization constant. [2]: 708 It serves as an indicator of the acid strength: stronger acids have a higher K a value (and a lower pK a value).
The pH of a solution of a monoprotic weak acid can be expressed in terms of the extent of dissociation. After rearranging the expression defining the acid dissociation constant, and putting pH = −log 10 [H +], one obtains pH = pK a – log ( [AH]/[A −] ) This is a form of the Henderson-Hasselbalch equation. It can be deduced from this ...
On the other hand, if a chemical is a weak acid its conjugate base will not necessarily be strong. Consider that ethanoate, the conjugate base of ethanoic acid, has a base splitting constant (Kb) of about 5.6 × 10 −10, making it a weak base. In order for a species to have a strong conjugate base it has to be a very weak acid, like water.
Acetic acid is a weak acid, so it only ionizes slightly. According to Le Chatelier's principle, the addition of acetate ions from sodium acetate will suppress the ionization of acetic acid and shift its equilibrium to the left. Thus the percent dissociation of the acetic acid will decrease, and the pH of the solution will increase.