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Chapter 4: Problem 15

In each pair, select the stronger acid. (a) Pyruvic acid ( \(\mathrm{p} K_{\mathrm{a}}\) 2.49) or lactic acid ( \(\mathrm{p} K_{\mathrm{a}}\) 3.08) (b) Citric acid ( \(\mathrm{p} K_{\mathrm{al}} 3.08\) ) or phosphoric acid ( \(\mathrm{p} K_{\mathrm{al}} 2.10\) )

Short Answer

Expert verified
Answer: (a) Pyruvic acid is the stronger acid in the first pair. (b) Phosphoric acid is the stronger acid in the second pair.

Step by step solution

01

Analyze the pKa values of pyruvic acid and lactic acid.

In the first pair, we have pyruvic acid with a pKa value of 2.49 and lactic acid with a pKa value of 3.08. Remember that lower pKa values indicate stronger acids.
02

Compare the pKa values and determine the stronger acid in the first pair.

Since the pKa value of pyruvic acid (2.49) is lower than that of lactic acid (3.08), pyruvic acid is the stronger acid in this pair.
03

Analyze the pKa values of citric acid and phosphoric acid.

In the second pair, we have citric acid with a pKa value of 3.08 and phosphoric acid with a pKa value of 2.10. Again, lower pKa values indicate stronger acids.
04

Compare the pKa values and determine the stronger acid in the second pair.

Since the pKa value of phosphoric acid (2.10) is lower than that of citric acid (3.08), phosphoric acid is the stronger acid in this pair. In conclusion: (a) The stronger acid in the first pair is pyruvic acid. (b) The stronger acid in the second pair is phosphoric acid.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

Following is a structural formula for guanidine, the compound by which migratory birds excrete excess metabolic nitrogen. The hydrochloride salt of this compound is a white crystalline powder, freely soluble in water and ethanol. (a) Write a Lewis structure for guanidine showing all valence electrons. (b) Does proton transfer to guanidine occur preferentially to one of its \(-\mathrm{NH}_{2}\) groups (cation A) or to its = NH group (cation B)? Explain. N=C(N)[NH3+] Guanidine \(\mathrm{A}\) B

Offer an explanation for the following observations. (a) \(\mathrm{H}_{3} \mathrm{O}^{+}\)is a stronger acid than \(\mathrm{NH}_{4}^{+}\). (b) Nitric acid, \(\mathrm{HNO}_{3}\), is a stronger acid than nitrous acid, \(\mathrm{HNO}_{2}\). (c) Ethanol and water have approximately the same acidity. (d) Trifluoroacetic acid, \(\mathrm{CF}_{3} \mathrm{COOH}\), is a stronger acid than trichloroacetic acid, \(\mathrm{CCl}_{3} \mathrm{COOH}\).

Which has the larger numerical value? (a) The \(\mathrm{p} K_{a}\) of a strong acid or the \(\mathrm{p} K_{\mathrm{a}}\) of a weak acid (b) The \(K_{a}\) of a strong acid or the \(K_{a}\) of a weak acid

Account for the fact that nitroacetic acid, \(\mathrm{O}_{2} \mathrm{NCH}_{2} \mathrm{COOH}\left(\mathrm{p} K_{\mathrm{a}} 1.68\right)\), is a considerably stronger acid than acetic acid, \(\mathrm{CH}_{3} \mathrm{COOH}\left(\mathrm{pK} \mathrm{a}_{\mathrm{a}} 4.76\right)\).

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