Adding a common ion to a weak acid solution has what effect on ionization?

Unlock all questions

This demo includes only 20 questions. Upgrade to access hundreds of questions, flashcards, exam simulations, and disable ads.

Full question bankExam simulationsFlashcards
From $24.99Unlock all

Study for the IMAT Chemistry Exam. Access flashcards and multiple choice questions; hints and explanations included for each question. Prepare effectively for your exam.

Multiple Choice

Adding a common ion to a weak acid solution has what effect on ionization?

Explanation:
Adding a common ion reduces ionization. For a weak acid HA ⇌ H+ + A-, increasing the concentration of the common ion A- shifts the equilibrium to the left, so fewer HA molecules dissociate. The dissociation constant Ka stays the same at a given temperature, so the change is in extent of ionization, not in Ka. The acid is not fully converted to its conjugate base—ionization is simply suppressed.

Adding a common ion reduces ionization. For a weak acid HA ⇌ H+ + A-, increasing the concentration of the common ion A- shifts the equilibrium to the left, so fewer HA molecules dissociate. The dissociation constant Ka stays the same at a given temperature, so the change is in extent of ionization, not in Ka. The acid is not fully converted to its conjugate base—ionization is simply suppressed.

More Multiple Choice Questions
Subscribe

Get the latest from Examzify

You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our privacy policy