Asked by Ahmed Fares on Jun 03, 2024

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What is the pKa and general acid strength of formic acid if its conjugate base form has a pKb of 10.23?

A) 3.77 - fairly strong weak acid
B) 5.99 - moderately strong weak acid
C) 14.00 - not an acid but rather a strong base
D) 3.23 - fairly strong weak acid
E) cannot be determined from the information given

pKa

A quantitative measurement that describes the acidity of a substance, specifically the negative log of the acid dissociation constant (Ka).

Acid Strength

A measure of the propensity of a compound to donate a proton (H+) in an aqueous solution, often quantified by the acid dissociation constant (Ka).

Formic Acid

The simplest carboxylic acid with the chemical formula HCOOH, known for its role in ant stings.

  • Comprehend the correlation between pKa values and the potency of acids.
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Titans ChickJun 08, 2024
Final Answer :
A
Explanation :
The pKa of an acid and the pKb of its conjugate base are related by the equation pKa + pKb = 14.00. Given the pKb of the conjugate base of formic acid is 10.23, the pKa of formic acid is 14.00 - 10.23 = 3.77, making it a fairly strong weak acid.