Q41 · Practice questionComplex familiar5 marks
QUESTION 41 (5 marks)
Methanoic acid has . A student prepares a 0.020 mol L⁻¹ solution.
a) Calculate its pH using the equilibrium equation. A quadratic solution may be used. [3 marks]
b) Determine whether the approximation satisfies a 5% ionisation criterion. [2 marks]
WORKED SOLUTION
5 marksPractice marking scheme
a) pH = 2.74. b) No; approximately 9.0% ionisation.
. The positive root is , giving pH=2.743. .
- Sets up correct equilibrium expression. [1 marks]
- Solves for [H⁺] = 1.81 × 10⁻³ mol L⁻¹. [1 marks]
- Calculates pH = 2.74. [1 marks]
- Calculates approximately 9.0% ionisation. [1 marks]
- Rejects the approximation using the stated 5% threshold. [1 marks]
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