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Ch.16 - Acid-Base Equilibria
Chapter 16, Problem 82c

Pyridinium bromide 1C5H5NHBr2 is a strong electrolyte that dissociates completely into C5H5NH+ and Br-. An aqueous solution of pyridinium bromide has a pH of 2.95. (c) A solution of pyridinium bromide has a pH of 2.95. What is the concentration of the pyridinium cation at equilibrium, in units of molarity?

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Strong Electrolytes

Strong electrolytes are substances that completely dissociate into ions when dissolved in water. This means that in a solution, they exist entirely as ions, which allows them to conduct electricity efficiently. Pyridinium bromide, as a strong electrolyte, dissociates into pyridinium cations (C5H5NH+) and bromide anions (Br-) in aqueous solution.
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pH and Hydrogen Ion Concentration

pH is a measure of the acidity or basicity of a solution, defined as the negative logarithm of the hydrogen ion concentration. A pH of 2.95 indicates a relatively high concentration of hydrogen ions (H+) in the solution, which can be calculated using the formula [H+] = 10^(-pH). This relationship is crucial for determining the concentration of the pyridinium cation in the solution.
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Equilibrium Concentration

Equilibrium concentration refers to the concentration of reactants and products in a chemical reaction at equilibrium. In this context, since pyridinium bromide dissociates completely, the concentration of the pyridinium cation at equilibrium can be inferred from the pH of the solution. By calculating the hydrogen ion concentration and recognizing the stoichiometry of the dissociation, one can determine the molarity of the pyridinium cation.
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