This is the master form (before scrambling).

As usual, answers are

marked in red and commentary is in blue.

CHM2046 B10: Exam #3 2010.07.28

1. What is the percent ionization of a 2.0 M HC2H3O2 solution

(Ka = 1.8 × 10-5) at 25°C?
A) 0.60%
B) 0.30%
C) 0.21%
D) 0.18%
E) 2.5%

Fairly simple! First, [H+] = [A-] ≈ (1.8 × 10-5 × 2.00)1/2 = 0.0060 M.

This is much less than 5% of 2.00 (in other words, one iteration
suffices). Then, the %-ionization is %ion = 100 × 0.0060/2.00 =
0.30%.

2. A 1.0 M solution of a weak monoprotic acid is 0.40% ionized. What

is the acid-ionization constant, Ka, of the weak acid?
A) 4.0 × 10-1
B) 4.0 × 10-3
C) 1.6 × 10-5
D) 1.6 × 10-6
E) 1.6 × 10-7

This is also fairly simple. We know that [H+] = [A-] = 1.0 ×

0.40/100 = 0.0040 M. This is much smaller than 1.00 M. Thus, all
we need to is get Ka = (0.0040)2/1.0 = 1.6 × 10-5.

3. Hypobromous acid, HOBr, has an acid-ionization constant of

2.5 × 10-9 at 25ºC. What is the pOH of a 0.60 M HOBr solution?
A) 4.41
B) 3.84
C) 5.18
D) 9.59
E) 10.16
 This is an acid and, thus, pH < 7 and this infers that pOH > 7. Thus,
either (D) or (E) is the correct answer. Since this is a very weak
acid, we immediately can calculate that [H+] = (2.5 × 10-9 × 0.60)1/2
= 3.87 × 10-5 and that pOH = 14.00 + log(3.87 × 10-5) = 9.59.

4. In a 0.01 M solution of 1,4-butanedicarboxylic acid,

HOOCCH2CH2COOH (Ka1 = 2.9 × 10–5, Ka2 = 5.3 × 10–6), which
species is present in the lowest concentration?
A) H3O+(aq)
B) HOOCCH2CH2COOH(aq)
C) HOOCCH2CH2COO–(aq)
D) –OOCCH2CH2COO–(aq)
E) H2O

This should be obvious! The acid dianion is the most difficult to

form species. (A) is only slightly less than 0.01M, (E) is 55.5M, and
(B) is minimally (2.9 × 10-5 × 0.01)1/2 = 5.4 × 10-4M. The
concentration of (C) would be about equal to this and (D) = Ka2, as
discussed in lecture.

5. A solution of aniline (C6H5NH2, Kb = 4.2 × 10–10) has a pH of 8.33 at

25oC. What was the initial concentration of aniline?
A) 2.1 × 10–6 M
B) 5.6 × 10–8 M
C) 4.7 × 10–9 M
D) 1.1 × 10–2 M
E) 4.2 × 10–10 M

Here, we need to work backwards. [OH-] = 108.33-14.00

= 2.14 × 10-6M ≈ (Kb × B0)1/2. Thus, B0 = (2.14 × 10-6)2/(4.2 × 10-10)
= 0.011 M.

6. Which of the following salts is most likely to form an aqueous

solution having the pH shown in the figure below?
A) KCl
B) LiBr
C) NaCN
D) NH4Cl
E) Zn(NO3)2
 The figure got lost in the word processing shuffle. The pH was,
however, 10.94. This would arise from the salt of a strong base and
weak acid. (A) and (B) are neutral. (D) is slightly acidic. (E) is
slightly acidic because Zn2+ is a Lewis acid. (C) is the only clear
answer since it is the salt of NaOH (strong base) and HCN (a weak
acid).

7. 15.0 mL of 0.50 M HCl is added to a 100.-mL sample of 0.316 M

HNO2 (Ka for HNO2 = 4.0 × 10-14). What is the equilibrium
concentration of NO2− ions?
A) 1.7 × 10-13 M
B) 1.1 × 10-14 M
C) 2.7 × 10-1 M
D) 4.1 × 10-7 M
E) none of these

This is an example of the common-ion effect with H+ being the

common ion. HCl is a strong acid and is 100% dissociated. Thus, it
is easy to see that [H+] = 0.50 × 15.0/115. = 0.065 M (note that the
volumes add!). Rearranging our definition of Ka, and noting that any
hydrogen ion from the weak acid would be negligible, we see that
[NO2-] = Ka[HNO2]/[H+] = 4.0 × 10-14(0.316 × 100/115)/0.065
= 1.7 × 10-13 M. (Note that there was a volume correction of the
nitrous acid concentration thrown in at the end!).

Note: Nitrous acid is actually much stronger than the value given in
the problem for its Ka. However, that has no bearing on the answer
obtained.

8. Which of the following solutions will not yield an effective

NaH2PO4/Na2HPO4 buffer?
A) 1.0 M H3PO4 + 1.0 M Na3PO4
B) 1.0 M H3PO4 + 1.0 M NaH2PO4
C) 2.0 M NaH2PO4 + 1.0 M NaOH
D) 2.0 M Na2HPO4 + 1.0 M HCl
E) 1.0 M NaH2PO4 + 1.0 M Na2HPO4
 (B) yields a phosphoric acid/dihydrogen phosphate buffer and not a
dihydrogen phosphate/hydrogen phosphate buffer. All the others
yield solutions containing both the required ions and are thus
possible buffers.

(C), (D), and (E) are all obviously correct. Can you understand why
(A) also works?

9. What is the hydronium-ion concentration of a solution formed by

combining 400. mL of 0.22 M HNO3 with 600. mL of 0.10 M NaOH
at 25ºC?
A) 0.22 M
B) 0.10 M
C) 0.092 M
D) 0.0280 M
E) 6.36 × 10-13 M

This is a simple SA-SB reaction. We have 400(0.22) = 88 mmol of

H+ before mixing and 600(0.10) = 60 mmol of OH- before mixing.
After mixing, we have 88 – 60 = 28 mmol of H+ left in 1000 mL.
Thus, [H+] = 28/1000 = 0.0280 M.

10. What is the solubility product expression for mercury(I) chloride,

Hg2Cl2?
A) Ksp = [Hg+]2[Cl–]2
B) Ksp = [Hg22+][Cl–]2
C) Ksp = [Hg22+][2Cl– ]
D) Ksp = [Hg22+][2Cl–]2
E) Ksp = [Hg2][Cl2]

As long as you remember that the mercury(I) ion is Hg22+ (which

was, actually, part of the question), then (B) is the obvious answer!

11. The solubility of cobalt(II) hydroxide is 6.0 × 10–4 g/L. What is the
solubility product constant for cobalt(II) hydroxide?
A) 2.9 × 10–20
B) 4.2 × 10–11
C) 1.1 × 10–15
D) 6.5 × 10–6
 E) 3.7 × 10–7

First, the MW of Co(OH)2 = 92.95 g/mol. So, the molar solubility is

s = (0.00060 g/L)/(92.95 g/mol) = 6.46 × 10-6M. This is a 1:2
electrolyte and Ksp = 4s3 = 1.1 × 10-15.

12. What is the solubility (in g/L) of silver(I) chromate at 25ºC? The
solubility product constant for silver(I) chromate is 1.1 × 10–12
at 25ºC.
A) 1.8 × 10–10 g/L
B) 3.6 × 10–10 g/L
C) 0.00035 g/L
D) 0.022 g/L
E) 0.17 g/L

First, you need to know that the formula of the salt is Ag2CrO4
(that was part of the problem!). This is a 2:1 electrolyte and, thus,
the molar solubility is s = (Ksp/4)1/3 = 6.5 × 10-5. For this salt, MW
= 331.73 g/mol. Multiplying these two gives 0.022 g/L.

13. Which salt has the lowest molar solubility in pure water?
Salt Ksp
Cd(OH)2 5.3 × 10–15
Fe(OH)2 8.0 × 10–16
PbCrO4 1.8 × 10–14
CdCO3 6.2 × 10–12
Mn(OH)2 2.0 × 10–13

A) Cd(OH)2
B) Fe(OH)2
C) PbCrO4
D) CdCO3
E) Mn(OH)2

These are 1:2, 1:2, 1:1, 1:1, and 1:2 electrolytes, respectively. You
can quickly get the molar solubilities for each by applying the
appropriate formulas. However, by inspection, you should be able
to see that the square root of Ksp for (C) yields the smallest number!
14. How many moles of CaF2 will dissolve in 3.0 L of 0.051 M NaF
solution? (Ksp for CaF2 = 4.0 × 10-11)
A) 1.5 × 10-8
B) 2.6 × 10-10
C) 4.6 × 10-8
D) 5.1 × 10-9
E) none of these

The molar solubility would be [Ca2+] = Ksp/[F-]2

= 4.0 × 10-11/(0.051)2 = 1.54 × 10-8 mol/L. However, we have 3.0 L!
So, multiply this concentration by 3.0 to get answer (C).

15. Which of the following solutions should be added to a solution

containing both copper(II) ions and silver(I) ions in order to
precipitate only one of the ions?
A) HCl(aq)
B) H2S(aq)
C) H2S(aq) + HCl(aq)
D) H2S(aq) + HNO3(aq)
E) HNO3(aq)

Obvious from the solubility rules!

16. What is the value of the dissociation constant, Kd, for the complex
ion Zn(NH3)42+? For Zn(NH3)42+, Kf = 2.9 × 109.
A) 2.9 × 10–5
B) 2.9 × 109
C) 2.3 × 102
D) 7.3 × 108
E) 3.4 × 10–10

Kd = 1/Kf. You should be able to take it from there (dissociation and

formation are the reverse of each other).

17. From the two equilibria below,

Ag(NH3)2+(aq) ↔ Ag+(aq) + 2NH3(aq); Kd = 5.9 × 10–8
AgCl(s) ↔ Ag+(aq) + Cl-(aq); Ksp = 1.8 × 10–10
 what is Kc for the following equilibrium?

AgCl(s) + 2NH3(aq) ↔ Ag(NH3)2+(aq) + Cl–(aq)

A) 1.1 × 10–17
B) 3.1 × 10–3
C) 9.4 × 1016
D) 3.3 × 102
E) 1.0 × 10–14

Reversing the first reaction and adding to the second gives the
desired reaction (the third listed). Thus, K =Ksp/Kd
= (1.8 × 10-10)/(5.9 × 10-8) = 3.1 × 10-3.

18. For the isothermal (constant-temperature) expansion of an ideal gas,

A) w > 0 and q > 0.
B) w < 0 and q > 0.
C) w > 0 and q < 0.
D) w = 0 and q > 0.
E) w < 0 and q = 0.

Since the gas expands, w < 0 (the system does work). T remains
constant; thus, heat must be added to the system to keep the same T
and to replace the energy lost as work. Thus, q > 0 must follow.

19. At the normal boiling point of o-xylene, ΔH°vap = 36.2 kJ/mol and
ΔS°vap = 86.7 J/(mol · K). What is the normal boiling point of
o-xylene?
A) 418 K
B) 115 K
C) 867 K
D) 314 K
E) 373 K

Simple plug-in (but watch units)! T = 36200/86.7 = 418K. (Real

men don’t need units!)

20. Which of the following reactions has the largest positive value of
 ΔS° per mole of O2 at 25°C?
A) 2Mg(s) + O2(g) → 2MgO(s)
B) 2H2(g) + O2(g) → 2H2O(g)
C) 2NO(g) + O2(g) → 2NO2(g)
D) C(s) + O2(g) → CO2(g)
E) 2C(s) + O2(g) → 2CO(g)

(A), (B), and (C) all have negative entropy changes for the system
(negative values for ∆ngas). For (D), ∆ngas = 0; here we would
expect a relatively small entropy change (positive or negative). For
(E), however, ∆ngas = +1. This is the only one with a definitely
positive entropy!

21. Which of the following is the best criterion for determining the
spontaneity of a chemical reaction?
A) ΔH
B) ΔH°
C) TΔS
D) ΔG
E) ΔG°

If you did not know that ∆G < 0 is the best criterion, it’s—I’m
afraid—too late.

22. Determine ∆G° for the following reaction:

CH4(g) + 2 O2(g) → CO2(g) + 2 H2O(l)

Substance ∆Gf° (kJ/mol)

CH4(g) -50.73
O2(g) 0
CO2(g) -394.4
H2O(l) -237.4

A) -581.1 kJ
B) -919.9 kJ
C) -818.5 kJ
D) -682.5 kJ
E) +131.1 kJ
 This is a simple plug and chug via Hess’ Law (but for free energies
instead of enthalpies). We just do it:

∆G° = -394.4 + 2(-237.4) – {-50.73 + 2·0} = -818.5 kJ.

23. For a reaction, if ∆G° = 0, then

A) ∆S° = 0.
B) ∆H° = 0.
C) ∆G = 0.
D) K = 1.
E) K = 0.

∆G° = -RT ln(K). The only way to have this be zero is to have
ln(K) = 0. And the only way for that to happen is to have K = 1.

24. A 0.0121 M solution of a particular monoprotic acid, HA, has a pH

of 4.17 at 298K. What is ∆G° for the following equilibrium?
HA(aq) + H2O(l) ↔ H3O+(aq) + A-(aq)
A) 10.9 kJ
B) 36.6 kJ
C) 12.8 kJ
D) 23.8 kJ
E) 362 kJ

∆G° = -RT ln(K). pHirst, let us get K. To the approximation needed

here, we see that K = (10-pH)2/[HA]0 = 10-8.34/0.0121 = 3.78 × 10-7.
∆G° = -0.0083144(298) × ln(3.78 × 10-7) = +36.6 kJ.

25. Which of the following statements is true for the following

reaction?
NH4HS(s) → NH3(g) + H2S(g); ∆H° = 93 kJ
A) The reaction is not spontaneous at any temperature.
B) The reaction is spontaneous at all temperatures.
C) The reaction is spontaneous only at relatively low temperatures.
D) The reaction is spontaneous only at relatively high temperatures.
E) The reaction is at equilibrium under standard-state conditions.

Since the enthalpy is positive, under all circumstances the reaction

nonspontaneous at low T. However, ∆S is clearly positive. So, the
reaction must be spontaneous at some high T. Thus, (D) is clearly
the answer! All the others are obviously wrong for ∆H and ∆S both
being positive. (For (E) to be true, you’d need an incredible
coincidence!)