Question

The value of Ka for phenol (a weak acid), C6H5OH, is 1.00×10-10. Write the equation for the reaction that goes with this equilibrium constant.

Answer 1

Answer:

$Ka=\frac{[C_6H_5O^-][H^+]}{[C_6H_5OH]}$

Explanation:

Hello,

In this case, weak acids are characterized by the fact they do not dissociate completely, it means they do not divide into the conjugated base and acid at all, a percent only, which is quantified via equilibrium. In such a way, the chemical equation representing such incomplete dissociation is said to be:

$C_6H_5OH\rightleftharpoons C_6H_5O^-+H^+$

Thus, we can write the law of mass action, which consider the equilibrium concentrations of all the involved species, which is also known as the acid dissociation constant which accounts for the capacity the acid has to yield hydronium ions:

$K=Ka=\frac{[C_6H_5O^-][H^+]}{[C_6H_5OH]}$

Best regards.