Answer:
The Ka for this acid is 1.4 * 10^-4 (option C)
Explanation:
Step 1: Data given
In a 0.20M aqueous solution, lactic acid is 2.6% dissociated.
Step 2: The equation for the dissociation of HAc is:
HAc ⇌ H+ + Ac¯
The Ka expression is:
Ka = ([H+] [Ac¯]) / [HAc]
1) [H+] using the concentration and the percent dissociation:
(0.026) (0.2) = 0.0052 M
2) Calculate [Ac-] and [H+]
[Ac¯] = [H+] = x = 0.0052 M
3) Calculate [HAc]
[HAc] = 0.20M - x ( since x << 0.20, we can assume [HAc] = 0.20 M
4) Calculate Ka
Ka= [( 0.0052) ( 0.0052)] / 0.20
Ka = 0.0001352 = 1.4 * 10^-4
The Ka for this acid is 1.4 * 10^-4