1. What is Degree of Dissociation?

Definition: The degree of dissociation (α) is the fraction of original solute molecules that have dissociated in a solution.

Purpose: This calculator determines the degree of dissociation for one acid when you know the degree of dissociation of another acid and their dissociation constants.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

Where:

• \( \alpha_1 \) — Degree of dissociation of acid 1
• \( \alpha_2 \) — Degree of dissociation of acid 2
• \( K_{a1} \) — Dissociation constant of acid 1
• \( K_{a2} \) — Dissociation constant of acid 2

Explanation: The formula relates the degrees of dissociation of two acids through the square root of the ratio of their dissociation constants.

3. Importance of Degree of Dissociation

Details: Knowing the degree of dissociation helps predict acid strength, pH of solutions, and equilibrium concentrations in chemical reactions.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the known degree of dissociation (0-1), and both dissociation constants (must be positive). The result will be a value between 0 and 1.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What range is valid for degree of dissociation?
A: The degree of dissociation ranges from 0 (no dissociation) to 1 (complete dissociation).

Q2: How do I find dissociation constants?
A: Dissociation constants (Kₐ) are typically found in chemistry reference tables or determined experimentally.

Q3: Why does the formula use a square root?
A: The square root comes from the relationship between dissociation constants and concentrations in the equilibrium expression.

Q4: Can I use this for bases?
A: Yes, but you would need to use base dissociation constants (K_b) instead of acid dissociation constants.

Q5: What if my result is greater than 1?
A: The calculator caps results at 1, as degrees of dissociation cannot exceed 1. If you get 1, check your input values.