Simultaneous or Consecutive Acid-Base Reactions A General Approach

In obtaining these results, we assumed that x was much smaller than 0.50. This assumption is appropriate because x = 0.011 is only 2.2% of 0.50. Had x been greater than 5% of the initial molarity of the solution, then the assumption would not have been appropriate. Such a situation arises when dealing with more dilute solutions of H2SO4. 

PRACTICE EXAMPLE A Calculate [H3O+], [HS04 ], and [SO42 ] in 0.20 M H2SO4. 

16-7 Simultaneous or Consecutive Acid-Base Reactions A General Approach 

Identify the species present in solution (excluding H2O). Write down balanced chemical equations for the reactions involving these species. Consider the concentrations of these species as unknowns. 

Write equations that include these species. The number of equations involving these species should match the number of unknowns. The equations are of three types. 

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