Academic Integrity: tutoring, explanations, and feedback — we don’t complete graded work or submit on a student’s behalf.

Pyridine is a weak base that is used in the manufacture of pesticides and plasti

ID: 817075 • Letter: P

Question

Pyridine is a weak base that is used in the manufacture of pesticides and plastic resins. It is also a component of cigarette smoke. Pyridine ionizes in water as follows:

C5H5N+H2O?C5H5NH++OH?

1. The pKb of pyridine is 8.75. What is the pH of a 0.490M  solution of pyridine?


Benzoic acid is a weak acid that has antimicrobial properties. Its sodium salt, sodium benzoate, is a preservative found in foods, medications, and personal hygiene products. Benzoic acid ionizes in water:

C6H5COOH?C6H5COO?+H+

2. The pKa of this reaction is 4.2. In a 0.69M  solution of benzoic acid, what percentage of the molecules are ionized?

Explanation / Answer

1- sol-


Kb = 10^-8.75 = 2 x 10^-9


2 x 10^-9 = x^2 / 0.490-x


x = [OH-]= 0.0000313 M


pOH = -Log[OH-] = Log(3.13x10^-5) = -4.50


pOH = 4.50


because, pH + pOH = 14.00, so pH = 14.00 - 4.50 = 9.50


so, pH = 9.50


2- sol-

Ka = 10^-4.2 =6.3 x 10^-5 M

6.3 x 10^-5 = x^2 / 0.69-x

x = 0.00656

0.00656 x 100 / 0.69 = 0.95 %