Harrison Lee

1/27/15
Period 9-10
Ahsan Shawl
Determination of Ka of Weak Acids
Objective: The purpose of this experiment is to determine the pKa values for ionization of two
unknown weak acids.
Pre-Lab Questions:
1) Write the chemical equation for the first ionization reaction of phosphoric acid with
water.
H3PO4 + H2OH2PO4- + H3O+
2) Write the equilibrium constant expression for this reaction.

3) What would be the pH of a solution when [H3PO4] = [H2PO4-]?

-log(7.5 x 10-3) = pH 2.1
4) Phenolphthalein would not be an appropriate indicator to use to determine Ka1 for
phosphoric acid. Why not? Choose a suitable indicator from the following color chart.
Phenolphthalein would not be an appropriate indicator, because from the range of pH 1-7,
the phenolphthalein indicator stays colorless. There is no way to tell exactly how acidic
the phosphoric acid solution is.
5) What would be the pH of a solution prepared by combining equal quantities of NaH2PO4
and Na2HPO4?
pH= 7.2

6) Sufficient strong acid is added to a solution containing Na2HPO4 to neutralize one-half of

it. What will be the pH of this solution?
Na2HPO4 and NaHPO42- cancel out, leaving the inverse of H+ equal to the inverse of the
Ka2. Solving algebraically, the pH would be 7.2.
Data Table:
Unknown

Trial

pH

pH(average)

pKa

Identity of

Code
N/A
N/A

#1
#2
#1
#2

4.1
4.4
7.5
7.3

4.25

4.25

7.40

7.40

Unknown
Acetylsalicyli
c acid
Potassium
dihydrogen
phosphate

Post-Lab Calculations and Analysis:

1) For each unknown tested, average the pH readings for trials 1 and 2 and calculate the
average pKa value for the unknown weak acid. Enter the average pH and pKa values
in the Data Table.
(see Data Table)

2) Comment on the precision of the pKa determinations. Describe sources of

experimental error and their likely effect on the measured pKa (pH) values.
The pKa determinations were somewhat precise. The errors could have been due to
insufficient time allowed for the weak acids to dissociate as much as they can.
3) Complete the table by calculating the pKa value for each acid.
Weak Acid
Potassium
dihydrogen
phosphate
Potassium hydrogen
sulfate
Potassium hydrogen
phthalate
Potassium hydrogen
tartrate
Acetylsalicylic acid

Formula
KH2PO4

Ka
Ka2 of H3PO4

pKa
7.208

KHSO4

Ka2 of H2SO4

2.000

KHC8H4O4

Ka2 of H2C8H4O4

5.409

KHC4H4O6

Ka2 of H2C4H4O6

4.337

2-CH3CO2C6H4COOH

Ka = 3.2 x 10-4

3.495

4) Compare the experimental pKa value for each unknown with the literature values
reported in Question 3. Determine the probable identity of each unknown and enter
the answers in the Data Table.
5) Write a chemical equation for the ionization of each weak acid in the list of
unknowns.
H2PO4- + H2O HPO42- + H3O+

HSO4 + H2OSO4- + H3O+

HC8H4O4 + H2O C8H4O4- + H3O+
HC4H4O6 + H2O C4H4O6- + H3O+
2-CH3CO2C6H4COOH + H2O 2-CH3CO2C6H4COOH- + H3O+

6) Why was it not necessary to know the exact mass of each acid sample?
It is not necessary to know the exact mass of each acid sample, because the ratio of the
concentrations of products and reactants will always be the same. Nothing can alter
equilibrium constants except for temperature.
7) Why was it not necessary to know the exact concentration of the sodium hydroxide
solution used in step 8 of the Procedure?
No matter what concentration of sodium hydroxide, the Ka will always stay the same.
8) Why was it necessary to measure the exact volume of distilled water used to dissolve
the acid, as well as the exact volume of solution transferred from the beaker to the
Erlenmeyer flask?
It is necessary to know the exact volume of distilled water used to dissolve the acid, as
well as the volume of the solution transferred to the Erlenmeyer flask, in order to be able
to reach the equivalence point.