Acid–base constants and solvent conditions
For HA ⇌ H⁺ + A⁻ in a stated solvent convention, Ka relates the equilibrium activities.
Key knowledge
For HA ⇌ H⁺ + A⁻ in a stated solvent convention, Ka relates the equilibrium activities. For a conjugate acid–base pair in water, KaKb=Kw under consistent definitions. Acid strength describes the equilibrium tendency to transfer a proton, while the fraction ionized also depends on composition.
Values and equations
Ka = a(H⁺)a(A⁻)/a(HA); KaKb = Kw
- Ka
- acid ionization constant 1
- Kb
- conjugate-base ionization constant 1
- Kw
- water ionization constant 1
- a
- activity in the chosen standard-state convention 1
Conditions and scope
- Solvent, temperature and activity conventions must be stated; strong does not mean concentrated.
- Concentration-form expressions approximate thermodynamic constants only when the adopted activity treatment is adequate.
Sources · 1
References
Sources retain their recorded scope. A source link alone does not establish verification of every statement.
Evidence and review
Inspected ionization constants, conjugate-pair relation and composition dependence of percent ionization.
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Entry details
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- uni-chem-acid-base-constants
- Revision
- core.1
- Structured reference record
- University core expansion