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Ch.17 - Additional Aspects of Aqueous Equilibria
Chapter 17, Problem 18a

(a) Calculate the percent ionization of 0.125 M lactic acid 1Ka = 1.4 * 10-42.

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Key Concepts

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

Ionization of Acids

Ionization refers to the process by which an acid donates protons (H+) to water, forming hydronium ions (H3O+). For weak acids like lactic acid, this process is not complete, and only a fraction of the acid molecules ionize. The extent of ionization is crucial for calculating properties like percent ionization.
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Percent Ionization

Percent ionization is a measure of the degree to which an acid ionizes in solution, expressed as a percentage. It is calculated using the formula: (concentration of ionized acid / initial concentration of acid) × 100%. This value helps in understanding the strength of the acid and its behavior in solution.
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Equilibrium Constant (Ka)

The equilibrium constant (Ka) quantifies the strength of an acid in solution, representing the ratio of the concentration of products to reactants at equilibrium. A smaller Ka value indicates a weaker acid, as seen with lactic acid's Ka of 1.4 × 10^-4, which suggests limited ionization and helps in calculating the percent ionization.
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