99 Percentile Qs Bank for JEE MainChemistryIonic Equilibrium
In an aqueous solution, the ionization constants for carbonic acid are K 1 = 4.2 × 1 0 - 7 and K 2 = 4.8 × 1 0 - 11 Select the correct statement for a saturated 0.034 M solution of the carbonic acid:
Options
- AThe concentration of H + is double that of CO 3 2 - .
- BThe concentration of CO 3 2 - is 0.034 M .
- CThe concentration of CO 3 2 - is greater than that of HCO 3 - .
- DThe concentration of H + and HCO 3 - are approximately equal.
Correct answer
D. The concentration of H + and HCO 3 - are approximately equal.
Step-by-step solution
H 2 CO 3 ⇌ H + + HCO 3 - ; K 1 = 4.2 × 1 0 - 7 HCO 3 - ⇌ H + + CO 3 2 - ; K 2 = 4.8 × 1 0 - 1 1 ∵   K 1 ≫ K 2 , so H 2 CO 3 ionises more than HCO 3 - and hence, contribution of H + is mostly due to ionization of carbonic acid. Thus, the concentrations of H + and HCO 3 - are approximately equal.