Tuesday, May 26, 2009

If the Kw of water changes with temperature so that pH is lower at higher temperatures, and [H+]=[OH-] so that the new Kw=[H+]^2, then the...

Kw is the equilibrium constant for the self-dissociation of water .


It is the equilibrium constant for :


H2O =  H+   + OH-


Kw = [H+][OH-]


From the equation we see that there is a 1:1 mole ratio of H+ to OH- ions.


So [OH-] = [H+]  for pure water only


Thus Kw = [H+]^2


As the temperature is increased more water molecules acquire enough kinetic energy to dissociate ( break apart) as a result of increased intermolecular collisions associated with the increased temperature.


Thus at 25 degrees celsius Kw is 1.00 x 10^-14  and at 50 degrees celsius Kw is 5.476 x 10^-14


Now pKw = - log Kw = - log ([H+][OH-])


using the laws of logs we can show that


pKw = pH + pOH


but since [H+] = [OH-] for pure water


pH = pOH for pure water as well


Thus pKw = 2pH for pure water only


So at 25 degrees celsius , pKw = - log (1.00 x 10-14) =14


and thus 14 = 2pH  so pH = 7  at 25 degrees celsius


At 50 degrees celsius , pKw = - log (5.476 x 10^-14) = 13.26


So  13.26 = 2pH and thus pH = 6.63 at a pH of 50 degrees celsius.


Thus, the pH of pure water decreases from 7.00 at 25 degrees celsius to 6.63 at 50 degrees celsius.



.

No comments:

Post a Comment

What was the device called which Faber had given Montag in order to communicate with him?

In Part Two "The Sieve and the Sand" of the novel Fahrenheit 451, Montag travels to Faber's house trying to find meaning in th...