Import Question JSON
Current Question (ID: 21116)
Question:
$\text{In aqueous solution, the ionization constants for carbonic acid are}$ $K_1 = 4.2 \times 10^{-7}$ $\text{and}$ $K_2 = 4.8 \times 10^{-11}$ $\text{The correct statement for a saturated 0.034 M solution of the carbonic acid is:}$
Options:
-
1. $\text{The concentration of } \text{H}^+ \text{ is double that of } \text{CO}_3^{2-}$
-
2. $\text{The concentration of } \text{CO}_3^{2-} \text{ is 0.034 M.}$
-
3. $\text{The concentration of } \text{CO}_3^{2-} \text{ is greater than that of } \text{HCO}_3^{-}$
-
4. $\text{The concentration of } \text{H}^+ \text{ and } \text{HCO}_3^{-} \text{ are approximately equal.}$
Solution:
$\text{Hint: The second dissociation is almost negligible as compared to first}$ $\text{Step 1:}$ $\text{The two reactions are as follows:}$ $\text{A} \rightarrow \text{H}_2\text{CO}_3(\text{aq.}) \rightleftharpoons \text{H}^+(\text{aq.}) + \text{HCO}_3^{-}(\text{aq.}) \quad K_1 = 4.2 \times 10^{-7}$ $\text{B} \rightarrow \text{HCO}_3^{-}(\text{aq.}) \rightleftharpoons \text{H}^+(\text{aq.}) + \text{CO}_3^{2-}(\text{aq.}) \quad K_2 = 4.8 \times 10^{-11}$ $\text{The value of } K_2 \ll K_1$ $\text{The concentration of } \text{H}^+ \text{ ion is } [\text{H}^+]_A. \text{The } \text{HCO}_3^{-} \text{ dissociates in a negligible amount. Hence, the total concentration of } \text{H}^+ \text{ ion is almost equal to } [\text{H}^+]_A.$ $\text{Step 2:}$ $\text{As, } K_2 < K_1$ $[\text{H}^+] \text{ comes from dissociation of } \text{H}_2\text{CO}_3.$ $[\text{H}^+]_{\text{total}} \approx [\text{H}^+]_A \text{ and from first equilibrium.}$ $[\text{H}^+]_A \approx [\text{HCO}_3^{-}] \approx [\text{H}^+]_{\text{total}}$ $\text{Thus, we can say that the concentration of } \text{H}^+ \text{ and } \text{HCO}_3^{-} \text{ are approximately equal.}$ $\text{Hence, option fourth is the correct answer}$
Import JSON File
Upload a JSON file containing LaTeX/MathJax formatted question, options, and solution.