The Acid Dissociation Constant K_a Equals 1

question 74

Multiple Choice

The acid dissociation constant K_a equals 1.26 × 10^-2 for HSO₄^- and is 5.6 × 10^-10 for NH₄⁺. Which statement about the following equilibrium is correct? HSO₄^-(aq) + NH₃(aq) SO₄^2-(aq) + NH₄⁺(aq)

• A) The reactants will be favored because ammonia is a stronger base than the sulfate anion.
• B) The products will be favored because the hydrogen sulfate ion is a stronger acid than the ammonium ion.
• C) Neither reactants nor products will be favored because all of the species are weak acids or bases.
• D) The initial concentrations of the hydrogen sulfate ion and ammonia must be known before any prediction can be made.
• E) This reaction is impossible to predict, since the strong acid and the weak base appear on the same side of the equation.

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