Calculate the pka of hypochlorous acid. the ph of a 0.015 m solution of hypochlorous acid has a ph of 4.64.

Explanation:

1) Data:

a) Hypochlorous acid = HClO

b) [HClO} = 0.015

c) pH = 4.64

d) pKa = ?

2) Strategy:

With the pH calculate [H₃O⁺], then use the equilibrium equation to calculate the equilibrium constant, Ka, and finally calculate pKa from the definition.

3) Solution:

a) pH

b) Equilibrium equation: HClO (aq) ⇄ ClO⁻ (aq) + H₃O⁺ (aq)

c) Equilibrium constant: Ka =  [ClO⁻] [H₃O⁺] / [HClO]

d) From the stoichiometry: [CLO⁻] = [H₃O⁺] = 2.29 × 10 ⁻⁵ M

e) By substitution: Ka = (2.29 × 10 ⁻⁵ M)² / 0.015M = 3.50 × 10⁻⁸ M

f) By definition: pKa = - log Ka = - log (3.50 × 10 ⁻⁸) = 7.46

every chemical equation adheres to the law of conservation of mass, which states that matter cannot be created or destroyed. therefore, there must be the same number of atoms of each element on each side of a chemical equation.