Im having such a hard time Acid-Base reactions and ICE boxes, Henderson Hasselba
ID: 903953 • Letter: I
Question
Im having such a hard time Acid-Base reactions and ICE boxes, Henderson Hasselbach, and when to use for each. Specifically with this:
I was told by my professor that when we have (Weak Base + H2O):
NH3(aq) + H2O(l) <--> OH-(aq) + NH4+(aq) we use an ICE box-hydrolysis equation.
and in a different example, when we have a (Weak Base + Conjugate Acid):
NH3(aq) + H2O(l) <--> OH-(aq) + NH4+ (aq) we use the Henderson Hasselbach equation.
But when looking at these two equations, they look exactly the same to me. How can I tell the difference between the two so i can go about solving (either ICE Box or Hasselbach)? Im not sure if ive made a mistake in these examples i have chosen... what would be a better example of the two?
Explanation / Answer
ICE table is used to find out a dissociation of a weak acid or base.
Henderson Hasselbach equation is used to find out the pH of a buffer solution. A buffer solution is made up of weak acid and its salt or weak base and its salt. Hence we can conclude that both the things are distantly related.
NH3(aq) + H2O(l) <--> OH-(aq) + NH4+(aq)
Above equation can be used in ICE table and calulate either [OH-] or Kb (dissociation constant). This information can then be used in Henderson equation