Asked by Tholia Pickett on Jun 06, 2024

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In an equilibrium whose reaction is expressed HAc ⇌ H+ + Ac- , how can K equal a number greater than 1000 if the product concentrations are never greater than 0.2 M each?

A) The product concentrations must be halved.
B) The reactant concentration must be as small as 4.0 × 10-5.
C) The reactant concentrations must be made as large as 5.0 × 105.
D) The product concentrations must be very close to zero.

HAc

A common abbreviation for acetic acid, a weak organic acid with the formula CH3COOH, known for its sour taste and pungent smell.

K

Symbol for potassium, a chemical element with atomic number 19, essential for various functions in living organisms.

  • Comprehend how the concentrations of reactants and products influence the value of the equilibrium constant.
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ZK
Zybrea KnightJun 09, 2024
Final Answer :
B
Explanation :
For K to be greater than 1000 with product concentrations never exceeding 0.2 M, the reactant concentration must be significantly lower, as K is the ratio of the products to reactants at equilibrium. A very small reactant concentration, such as 4.0 × 10^-5 M, would make K much larger, even with relatively small product concentrations.