Introduction

Acetic Acid, HC2H3O2, is a weak acid that dissociates according to this equation:

{\text{H}}{{\text{C}}_{\text{2}}}{{\text{H}}_{\text{3}}}{{\text{O}}_{\text{2}}}{\text{(aq)}} \to {{\text{H}}^{\text{ + }}}{\text{(aq) + }}{{\text{C}}_{\text{2}}}{{\text{H}}_{\text{3}}}{{\text{O}}_{\text{2}}}^{\text{ - }}{\text{(aq)}}

In this experiment, you will experimentally determine the dissociation constant, Ka, for acetic acid, starting with solutions of different initial concentrations.

Objectives

In this experiment, you will

  • Gain experience mixing solutions of specified concentration.
  • Experimentally determine the dissociation constant, Ka, of an acid.
  • Investigate the effect of initial solution concentration on the equilibrium constant.