pH calculations for weak acids

This forum made possible through the generous support of SDN members, donors, and sponsors. Thank you.

stuw

Full Member
7+ Year Member
Joined
Dec 14, 2013
Messages
92
Reaction score
14
Just wanted to clear something up...

So say we were given H2S (with some given Ka value), and we are asked to find the [H+].

From my understanding we break write the equation like this:

H2S <--> 2[H+] + [S^(2-)]

So when writing out the Ka equation...:

Ka = {([H]^2)([S^(2-)]} / [H2S]

My question is...will [H]=2x or simply just "x"? I'm guessing it'll be 2x since we're looking at molar concentration here, right? This is the way we solve Ksp problems as well.

So...

Ka = {([2x]^2)(x)}/[H2S] ?

Is that the best/correct way to approach a problem like this?
 
H2S would be diprotic. The first pKa is only for H2S -> [H+] + [HS-]. A second pKa is used for [HS-] -> [H+] + [S-2]. And I'm pretty sure pKa2 is be very big
 
So it will almost always be for one concentration of [x]? Also, why is it that the second pka will be larger? Thanks again guys
 
Top