How is weak acid concentration measured?

In summary, the concentration of a weak acid, such as 0.100M CH3COOH, is determined by the total amount of the acid present, regardless of whether it is in equilibrium or not. This means that if 0.1 moles of acetic acid is added to a liter of water, the resulting solution will have a concentration of 0.1M acetic acid, regardless of how much is dissociated.
  • #1
mHo2
30
0
Is a weak acids concentration determined from when it is in equilibrium, or if it hasn't dissociated at all?
i.e. 0.100M CH3COOH. Would this be the concentration of CH3COOH during it's equilibrium:
CH3COOH <-|-> CH3COO- + H+
Or just by itself?

Thanks!
 
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  • #2
0.100M is usually total concentration of acid - both dissociated and not dissociated.
 
  • #3
Yeah the molarity of a weak acid solution is a measure of the amount of the acid in there, regardless of whether its dissociated or not. So if I add 0.1 moles of acetic acid to a litre of water, I get a 0.1M acetic acid solution.
 

FAQ: How is weak acid concentration measured?

How is weak acid concentration measured using pH?

Weak acid concentration can be measured using pH by using a pH meter or pH paper. The pH scale ranges from 0 to 14, with 0 being the most acidic and 14 being the most basic. A lower pH value indicates a higher concentration of acid, while a higher pH value indicates a lower concentration of acid.

Can weak acid concentration be measured using titration?

Yes, weak acid concentration can be measured using titration. Titration is a process in which a known concentration of a base is slowly added to a solution of a weak acid until the equivalence point is reached. The equivalence point is the point at which the moles of acid are equal to the moles of base, and can be used to calculate the concentration of the weak acid.

What is the difference between strong and weak acid concentration measurement?

The main difference between strong and weak acid concentration measurement is the use of a pH meter or pH paper. Strong acid concentration can be directly measured using a pH meter, while weak acid concentration requires additional calculations using titration or other methods.

How is the concentration of a weak acid calculated using titration?

The concentration of a weak acid can be calculated using titration by using the equation: M1V1 = M2V2, where M1 is the initial concentration of the acid, V1 is the initial volume, M2 is the concentration of the base added at the equivalence point, and V2 is the volume of the base added at the equivalence point. This equation can be rearranged to solve for M1, which is the concentration of the weak acid.

Are there any other methods for measuring weak acid concentration besides pH and titration?

Yes, there are other methods for measuring weak acid concentration. These include using a conductivity meter, which measures the electrical conductivity of a solution, or using spectrophotometry, which measures the absorbance of light by a solution. These methods can also be used to indirectly calculate the concentration of a weak acid.

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