Percent Ionization of Hydrocyanic Acid, HCN
What is the percent ionization of a 0.0550 M solution of hydrocyanic acid, HCN?
How can we calculate the percent ionization of hydrocyanic acid, HCN, based on the given data?
Answer:
The percent ionization of a 0.0550 M solution of hydrocyanic acid, HCN, is 0.0287%.
To calculate the percent ionization of a 0.0550 M solution of hydrocyanic acid, HCN, we can use the provided formula:
Percent ionization = ([H⁺]/[HCN]) x 100
First, we need to find the concentration of hydrogen ions using the Ka of HCN:
Ka = [H⁺][CN⁻] /[HCN]
6.17 x 10⁻¹⁰ = [H⁺][CN⁻]/0.0550
Assuming [H⁺] = [CN⁻] (since HCN is a weak acid), we can substitute [H⁺] for [CN⁻] in the equation:
6.17 x 10⁻¹⁰ = [H⁺]²/0.0550
[H⁺] = √(6.17 x 10⁻¹⁰ x 0.0550)
[H⁺] = 1.58 x 10⁻⁶ M
Now, we can plug this value back into the formula for percent ionization:
Percent ionization = (1.58 x 10⁻⁶/ 0.0550) x 100
Percent ionization = 0.0000287 × 100%
Percent ionization = 0.0287%
Therefore, the percent ionization of hydrocyanic acid, HCN, is 0.0287%.