Scribd
Upload
1K views

Solve Ka and KB Problems Using Ice Methods

This document discusses methods for solving equilibrium problems involving weak acids and bases using ICE tables. It provides examples of calculating Ka and Kb values, determining concentrations of H+ and OH- ions, and finding the pH of salt solutions formed from weak acids and bases. The methods covered include setting up ICE tables, writing equilibrium expressions, and solving for unknown concentrations and pH values.

Uploaded by

api-258903855
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
1K views

Solve Ka and KB Problems Using Ice Methods

This document discusses methods for solving equilibrium problems involving weak acids and bases using ICE tables. It provides examples of calculating Ka and Kb values, determining concentrations of H+ and OH- ions, and finding the pH of salt solutions formed from weak acids and bases. The methods covered include setting up ICE tables, writing equilibrium expressions, and solving for unknown concentrations and pH values.

Uploaded by

api-258903855
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 4

1

Solve Ka and Kb Problems Using ICE Methods


There are 3 basic types of problems.
A. Calculate Ka, Kb values from weak acids/weak bases.
B. Calculate values of [H+ ] and pH of a solution of a weak acid/base.
C.
Calculate pH of salt solutions.
A. Calculate Ka, Kb values from weak acids/weak bases.
Lactic acid is a weak acid. The equilibrium equation is:
HC3H5O3 H+ + + C3H5O3
In a .100m solution, the pH = 2.44. Find H+ concentration. Find Ka using H+ concentration.
Perform ICE:

HC3H5O3

H+

C3H5O3

.100

.100 x

Write the equation for Ka


Ka = [H+ ] [C3H5O3 ]
[HC3H5O3]
Next find H+
H+ = 102.44 = .0036m = x
Therefore:

HC3H5O3 concentration at equilibrium


= (.100 x) = .100 - .0036 = .096
Ka

[x] [x]
[.100 x]

[.0036] [.0036]
[.096]

= 1.4 x 104
B. Calculate values of [H+] and pH of a solution of a weak acid/base.
The equation for a weak base is as follows. Use Kb, as OH is produced.
N2H4 + H2O N2H5+ + OH
Kb = [N2H5+ ] [OH ]
[N2H4]
ASC, Indian River State College
7/8/2014, rev. 10/20/14, 3/30/15

Calculate the ph of a solution of a weak base, using the following equation:


N2H4 + H2O N2H5+ + OH
Original concentration of N2H4 = .100m
Kb= N2H4 = 1.3 x 10-6
N2H4 + H2O N2H5 + + OH

Use ICE:

N2H4

OH

N2H5 +

N2 H 4

N2H5 +

OH

.100

.100x

Kb = 1.3 x 10-6 =

(x)(x)
(.100 x)

Since Kb is a very small number, ignore the x component in the equilibrium.


(Hb 400 x Kb;

.100 400 x 1.3 x 10-6)

For example: 1.3 x 106

= (x)(x)
.100

1.3 x 10-7 = x2
3.61 x 10-4 = x = OH concentration
log [3.61 x 10-4] = pOH = 3.44
pOH + pH = 14
pH = 14 pOH = 14 3.44
pH = 10.56
C. Calculate pH of salt solutions.
Calculate salt solutions of weak acids and weak bases. When a salt is dissolved in H2O, it will form a
strong base (NaOH) and weak acid (HOCl).
NaOCl Na+ + OCl
Does not impact because it is a spectator ion.
ASC, Indian River State College
7/8/2014, rev. 10/20/14, 3/30/15

OCl + H2O HOCl + OH


Kb is used because OH is generated. If H+ is generated, use Ka.
Kb = [HOCl] [OH ]
[OCl ]
NH4Cl NH4+ + Cl
NH4+ + H2O NH3 + H3O+ or H+

(Depending on instructor or book provided)

Kb = [H+ ] [NH3]
[NH4+ ]
Example 1:
What is the ph of a 1.00 molar solution of NaCN? Ka for HCN = 6.2 x 10-10
Solution Steps:
1. Note that this is a salt solution of a strong base (NAOH) and a weak acid (HCN) which will
produce OH ions.
NaCN Na+ + CN
CN + H2O HCN + OH
2. Set up the ionization constant relationship:
Kb = [HCN][ OH ]
[CN ]
(Kb is used when OH are produced; Ka is used when H+ ions are produced.)
3. Find Kb
Ka Kb = 1 x 1014
Kb

= 1 x 1014
Ka

Kb

= 1 x 1014
6.2 x 1010

Kb

= 1.61 x 105

4. Solve for [OH] the known concentration of CN = 1 molar.


1.61 x 105 = [x][x]
1
5
2
1.61 x 10 = x
.004
= x = OH- concentration
pOH Log [OH ] = 2.40

ASC, Indian River State College


7/8/2014, rev. 10/20/14, 3/30/15

Find pH using the following formula:


pH + pOH = 14
pH = 14 pOH
pH = 14 2.40
pH = 11.60
Example 2

Calculate the pH of .15 m CH3NH3Cl.


Kb = 4.4 x 104 (weak base/strong acid)
CH3NH3Cl CH3NH3+ + Cl

Equation:

CH3NH3+ + H2O CH3NH2 + H3O+ or H+


CH3NH3+

CH3NH2 + H+

CH3NH3+

CH3NH2 + Cl

.15m

-x

.15x

Determine if x is significant. Apply test.


Ka = Kw = 1.0 x 1014 = 2.3 x 1011
Kb
4.4 x 104
Ka = [H+ ] [CH3NH2] = 2.3 x 1011
CH3NH3+
Ha 400 x Ka
.15 400 x 2.3 x 1011
Therefore, x is a very small amount compared to the original equation and can be ignored.
2.3 x 1011 = [x] [x]
.15
6
1.9 x 10 = x
pH = log [1.9 x 106m] = 5.72

ASC, Indian River State College


7/8/2014, rev. 10/20/14, 3/30/15

You might also like