Two separate solutions of weak monoprotic acids, () and (), are found to be perfectly isohydric. If — Ionic Equilibrium Chemistry Question
Question
Two separate solutions of weak monoprotic acids, $HA_1$ ($K_{a1} = 10^{-4}$) and $HA_2$ ($K_{a2} = 10^{-5}$), are found to be perfectly isohydric. If the concentration of $HA_1$ is exactly $0.1 \text{ M}$, calculate the exact required molar concentration ($C_2$) of $HA_2$.
💡 Solution & Explanation
Isohydric solutions are solutions of electrolytes that have the exact same concentration of a common ion (in this case, $[H^+]$). For weak acids, $[H^+] \approx \sqrt{K_a \cdot C}$. Equating the two yields $\sqrt{K_{a1}C_1} = \sqrt{K_{a2}C_2}$, which squares to the identity $K_{a1}C_1 = K_{a2}C_2$. Substituting the provided values gives $(10^{-4})(0.1) = (10^{-5}) \cdot C_2 \implies 10^{-5} = 10^{-5} \cdot C_2 \implies C_2 = 1.0 \text{ M}$.