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Topic: Water self dissociation  (Read 1947 times)

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Offline PEPCMax

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Water self dissociation
« on: September 02, 2011, 05:13:33 AM »
Hi guys this is my first post so Hi everyone!

Im a biology student but have to do a chemistry module which is annoying cause i suck at it..

The question is: The self-dissociation constant for water, Kw,  has a value of 1 x10-14.
         Write down a balanced equation for this reaction and calculate the pH
         of a solution containing 0.01 M NaOH

Im pretty sure the equation is H2:rarrow: HO- + H+ right?
Is this ok or should i write the hydronium equation but they're the same thing arent they?

Its the calculation i really dont get..

The equation is pH = pKa + log([Base]/[Acid])

The pKa is 14, but im unsure of what i put where on the rest of the equation.

Any help would be great please.

Thanks!

Offline Fluoroantimonicacid

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Re: Water self dissociation
« Reply #1 on: September 02, 2011, 10:43:08 AM »
The Henderson-Hasselbach equation is for weak acids/bases. Just calculate the [H+] and take its -log.

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