8. Consider the hydrolysis reactions:
(a) ![]()
(b) ![]()
Which has the higher pH?
Since (b) has the larger Kb this solution has more OH^- than does (a). Therefore, (b) has the higher pH.
Lets do a specific calculation to nail this down (however, the qualitative idea
is the most important one!).
(a) The starting concentration of [CN^-] = 0.1M. From the chemistry, for each mole
of cyanide that leaves a mole of HCN and a mole of OH^- are formed. Denote this leaving
concentration by x.
.
Placing these in the equilibrium constant expression gives:
where we neglect x with respect to 0.1 on the basis that the equilibrium constant
is small and we expect x to be small. Trying this approximation shows that it is
OK. The pOH = 2.8 and therefore,
pH = 14 - pOH = 14 - 2.8 = 11.2.
(b) We can repeat the same calculation for reaction (b). We find x = 0.00707M = [OH^-] and pOH = 2.15, pH = 11.8. This is the more basic solution.
13.

21.

33.
Magnesium hydroxide (s) in equilibrium with water has a certain pH. What
are the hydrogen ion and hydroxyl ion concentrations?
(a) pH = 10.5 ![]()
(b) ![]()
(c) Of course, the solution is basic.
37. Barium hydroxide is weakly soluble in water ![]()
At 298K pH = 10.66.
(a) [OH^-] = ? pOH = 14 - pH = 3.34, ![]()
(b) V = 250mL so
.
The molecular weight of barium hydroxide is 171 g/mol and there are 9.8 mg
barium hydroxide dissolved.
42.
0.015M in HOCN. What pH and what Kb?
(a) ![]()
(b) 
We know what x is from (a) and
; x = 0.00214M
![]()
49.
![]()
0.780g dissolved in 500mL water. What [H^+] and what pH?
(a) Mw of
is 89.1 g/mol. 0.780g/89.1 g/mol = 0.00876 mol = 8.76 mmole. [
] = 0.00876/0.500 = 0.0175M.
and ![]()
(b) pH = 5.8