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Ch.16 - Aqueous Equilibria: Acids & Bases
Chapter 16, Problem 61

Calculate the percent dissociation of 0.10 M hydrazoic acid (HN3, Ka = 1.9 X 10^-5). Recalculate the percent dissociation of 0.10 M HN3 in the presence of 0.10 M HCl, and explain the change.

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Key Concepts

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

Dissociation Constant (Ka)

The dissociation constant (Ka) is a quantitative measure of the strength of an acid in solution. It represents the equilibrium constant for the dissociation of an acid into its conjugate base and hydrogen ions. A higher Ka value indicates a stronger acid that dissociates more completely in solution. For hydrazoic acid (HN3), the given Ka value of 1.9 x 10^-5 indicates it is a weak acid, which will only partially dissociate in water.
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Characteristics of Ka and Kb

Percent Dissociation

Percent dissociation is a way to express the extent to which an acid dissociates in solution. It is calculated by taking the amount of acid that has dissociated and dividing it by the initial concentration of the acid, then multiplying by 100. This concept is crucial for understanding the behavior of weak acids in different concentrations and environments, as it provides insight into their reactivity and strength in solution.
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Percent Dissociation Example

Common Ion Effect

The common ion effect refers to the decrease in the solubility of an ionic compound when a common ion is added to the solution. In the case of adding HCl to a solution of HN3, the presence of H+ ions from HCl shifts the equilibrium of the dissociation of HN3 to the left, reducing its dissociation. This results in a lower percent dissociation of HN3 in the presence of HCl compared to its dissociation in pure water, illustrating the impact of competing equilibria in acid-base chemistry.
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