Question

The acid dissociation constant Ka of boric acid (H3BO3) is 5.8 times 10^-10. Calculate the pH of a 4.4 M solution of boric acid. Round your answer to 1 decimal place.

Answer 1

Answer: The pH of a 4.4 M solution of boric acid is 4.3

Explanation:

$H_3BO_3\rightarrow H^+H_2BO_3^-$

at t=0  cM              0             0

at eqm $c-c\alpha$        $c\alpha$          $c\alpha$  

So dissociation constant will be:

$K_a=\frac{(c\alpha)^{2}}{c-c\alpha}$

Give c= 4.4 M and $\alpha$ = ?

$K_a=5.8\times 10^{-10}$

Putting in the values we get:

$5.8\times 10^{-10}=\frac{(4.4\times \alpha)^2}{(4.4-4.4\times \alpha)}$

$(\alpha)=0.000011$

$[H^+]=c\times \alpha$

$[H^+]=4.4\times 0.000011=4.8\times 10^{-5}M$

Also $pH=-log[H^+]$

$pH=-log[4.8\times 10^{-5}]=4.3$

Thus pH of a 4.4 M $H_3BO_3$ solution is 4.3