1
Solve Ka and Kb Problems Using ICE Methods
There are 3 basic types of problems.
A. Calculate Ka, Kb values from weak acids/weak bases.
B. Calculate values of [H+ ] and pH of a solution of a weak acid/base.
C.
Calculate pH of salt solutions.
A. Calculate Ka, Kb values from weak acids/weak bases.
Lactic acid is a weak acid. The equilibrium equation is:
HC3H5O3 H+ + + C3H5O3
In a .100m solution, the pH = 2.44. Find H+ concentration. Find Ka using H+ concentration.
Perform ICE:
HC3H5O3
H+
C3H5O3
.100
.100 x
Write the equation for Ka
Ka = [H+ ] [C3H5O3 ]
[HC3H5O3]
Next find H+
H+ = 102.44 = .0036m = x
Therefore:
HC3H5O3 concentration at equilibrium
= (.100 x) = .100 - .0036 = .096
Ka
[x] [x]
[.100 x]
[.0036] [.0036]
[.096]
= 1.4 x 104
B. Calculate values of [H+] and pH of a solution of a weak acid/base.
The equation for a weak base is as follows. Use Kb, as OH is produced.
N2H4 + H2O N2H5+ + OH
Kb = [N2H5+ ] [OH ]
[N2H4]
ASC, Indian River State College
7/8/2014, rev. 10/20/14, 3/30/15
Calculate the ph of a solution of a weak base, using the following equation:
N2H4 + H2O N2H5+ + OH
Original concentration of N2H4 = .100m
Kb= N2H4 = 1.3 x 10-6
N2H4 + H2O N2H5 + + OH
Use ICE:
N2H4
OH
N2H5 +
N2 H 4
N2H5 +
OH
.100
.100x
Kb = 1.3 x 10-6 =
(x)(x)
(.100 x)
Since Kb is a very small number, ignore the x component in the equilibrium.
(Hb 400 x Kb;
.100 400 x 1.3 x 10-6)
For example: 1.3 x 106
= (x)(x)
.100
1.3 x 10-7 = x2
3.61 x 10-4 = x = OH concentration
log [3.61 x 10-4] = pOH = 3.44
pOH + pH = 14
pH = 14 pOH = 14 3.44
pH = 10.56
C. Calculate pH of salt solutions.
Calculate salt solutions of weak acids and weak bases. When a salt is dissolved in H2O, it will form a
strong base (NaOH) and weak acid (HOCl).
NaOCl Na+ + OCl
Does not impact because it is a spectator ion.
ASC, Indian River State College
7/8/2014, rev. 10/20/14, 3/30/15
OCl + H2O HOCl + OH
Kb is used because OH is generated. If H+ is generated, use Ka.
Kb = [HOCl] [OH ]
[OCl ]
NH4Cl NH4+ + Cl
NH4+ + H2O NH3 + H3O+ or H+
(Depending on instructor or book provided)
Kb = [H+ ] [NH3]
[NH4+ ]
Example 1:
What is the ph of a 1.00 molar solution of NaCN? Ka for HCN = 6.2 x 10-10
Solution Steps:
1. Note that this is a salt solution of a strong base (NAOH) and a weak acid (HCN) which will
produce OH ions.
NaCN Na+ + CN
CN + H2O HCN + OH
2. Set up the ionization constant relationship:
Kb = [HCN][ OH ]
[CN ]
(Kb is used when OH are produced; Ka is used when H+ ions are produced.)
3. Find Kb
Ka Kb = 1 x 1014
Kb
= 1 x 1014
Ka
Kb
= 1 x 1014
6.2 x 1010
Kb
= 1.61 x 105
4. Solve for [OH] the known concentration of CN = 1 molar.
1.61 x 105 = [x][x]
1
5
2
1.61 x 10 = x
.004
= x = OH- concentration
pOH Log [OH ] = 2.40
ASC, Indian River State College
7/8/2014, rev. 10/20/14, 3/30/15
Find pH using the following formula:
pH + pOH = 14
pH = 14 pOH
pH = 14 2.40
pH = 11.60
Example 2
Calculate the pH of .15 m CH3NH3Cl.
Kb = 4.4 x 104 (weak base/strong acid)
CH3NH3Cl CH3NH3+ + Cl
Equation:
CH3NH3+ + H2O CH3NH2 + H3O+ or H+
CH3NH3+
CH3NH2 + H+
CH3NH3+
CH3NH2 + Cl
.15m
-x
.15x
Determine if x is significant. Apply test.
Ka = Kw = 1.0 x 1014 = 2.3 x 1011
Kb
4.4 x 104
Ka = [H+ ] [CH3NH2] = 2.3 x 1011
CH3NH3+
Ha 400 x Ka
.15 400 x 2.3 x 1011
Therefore, x is a very small amount compared to the original equation and can be ignored.
2.3 x 1011 = [x] [x]
.15
6
1.9 x 10 = x
pH = log [1.9 x 106m] = 5.72
ASC, Indian River State College
7/8/2014, rev. 10/20/14, 3/30/15
