1. What is Molar Concentration given Dissociation Constant?

Definition: This calculator determines the ionic concentration of a weak electrolyte solution based on its dissociation constant and degree of dissociation.

Purpose: It helps chemists and students understand the relationship between dissociation constant, degree of dissociation, and resulting ionic concentration.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

Where:

• \( C \) — Ionic Concentration (mol/L)
• \( ka \) — Dissociation Constant of Weak Acid
• \( \alpha \) — Degree of Dissociation (0 to 1)

Explanation: The dissociation constant is divided by the square of the degree of dissociation to calculate the molar concentration of ions in solution.

3. Importance of This Calculation

Details: Understanding this relationship is crucial for predicting solution behavior, calculating pH of weak acids, and designing buffer solutions.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the dissociation constant (ka) and degree of dissociation (α between 0 and 1). All values must be > 0.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is the degree of dissociation?
A: It's the fraction of solute molecules that dissociate into ions in solution, ranging from 0 (no dissociation) to 1 (complete dissociation).

Q2: How do I find the dissociation constant?
A: The dissociation constant (ka) is typically found in chemistry reference tables or determined experimentally.

Q3: What units should I use for the dissociation constant?
A: Use consistent units (typically mol/L for concentration-based constants).

Q4: Why does the degree of dissociation appear squared in the formula?
A: This comes from the equilibrium expression for weak acid dissociation where both the hydrogen ion and conjugate base concentrations depend on α.

Q5: Can this be used for weak bases as well?
A: Yes, but you would use the base dissociation constant (kb) instead of ka.