Question

The ka of hypochlorous acid (hclo) is 3.0 x 10-8 at . what is the % ionization of hypochlorous acid in a 0.015 m aqueous solution of hclo at ?

Answer 1

Answer is: the % ionization of hypochlorous acid is 0.14.

Balanced chemical reaction (dissociation) of an aqueous solution of hypochlorous acid:

HClO(aq) ⇄ H⁺(aq) + ClO⁻(aq).

Ka = [H⁺] · [ClO⁻] / [HClO].

[H⁺] is equilibrium concentration of hydrogen cations or protons.

[ClO⁻] is equilibrium concentration of hypochlorite anions.

[HClO] is equilibrium concentration  of hypochlorous acid.

Ka is the acid dissociation constant.

Ka(HClO) = 3.0·10⁻⁸.

c(HClO) = 0.015 M.

Ka(HClO) = α² · c(HClO).

α = √(3.0·10⁻⁸ ÷ 0.015).

α = 0.0014 · 100% = 0.14%.