At
298 K the cell
Pt∣H2(1 bar)∣HA(aq, 0.10 M)∣∣Ag+(aq, 0.10 M)∣Ag has an emf of
0.918 V. Take
EAg+/Ag∘=0.80 V and
2.303RT/F=0.059 V, and assume that activities equal concentrations. The acid dissociation constant
Ka of the monobasic acid
HA is closest to
Show answer and solution
Answer: (C) 1.0×10−5
The hydrogen electrode is the anode and the silver electrode the cathode, so
Ecell=EAg+/Ag−EH+/H2. For silver,
E=0.80+0.059log(0.10)=0.741 V. For the hydrogen electrode at 1 bar,
E=−0.059 pH. Hence
0.918=0.741+0.059pH, giving
pH=3.00 and
[H+]=1.0×10−3 M. For
HA⇌H++A−,
Ka=[H+]2/(0.10−[H+])=10−6/0.099≈1.0×10−5. The wrong choices come from forgetting the Nernst correction for
Ag+ (which uses 0.80 V and gives pH 2,
Ka≈1.1×10−3), or from dropping the square in
[H+]2 or dividing by the wrong concentration. Remember also that the hydrogen electrode potential is negative of
0.059pH, so the cell emf rises with pH, and each pH unit contributes
0.059 V. Only option (C),
1.0×10−5, follows from the full treatment of both half-cells and the weak-acid equilibrium.