Q39P

Calculate the K_a's for the following acids:

(a) Citric acid, pKa = 3.14

(b) Tartaric acid, pKa = 2.98

Verified

Answer

The value of K_a for citric and tartaric acid were calculated.

1Step 1: Calculation the value of K a for citric acid

The formula can be denoted as,

$\begin{matrix} p K_{a} = - \log K_{a} \\ K_{a} = 10^{- p K a} \\ K_{a} = 10^{- 3} . 14 \\ K_{a} = 7.2 \times 10^{- 4} \end{matrix}$

The K_a of citric acid is with pK_a is $7.2 \times 10^{- 4} .$

2Step 2: Calculation the value of K a for tartaric acid

The formula can be denoted as,

$\begin{matrix} p K_{a} = - \log K_{a} \\ K_{a} = 10^{- p K a} \\ K_{a} = 10^{- 2} . 98 \\ K_{a} = 1 \times 10^{- 3} \end{matrix}$

The K_a of tartaric acid is with pK_a is $1 \times 10^{- 3} .$