Phosphoric acid is a polyprotic acid. Write balanced chemical equations for the sequence of reactions that phosphoric acid can undergo when it's dissolved in water. True or false?

Question

Chemistry

Danika Church

15 January, 02:43

Phosphoric acid is a polyprotic acid. Write balanced chemical equations for the sequence of reactions that phosphoric acid can undergo when it's dissolved in water. True or false?

+1

Answers (1)

Know the Answer?

Kamren Moss · Answer 1

True. It is a polyprotic acid because it can release more than one proton. In this case this weak acid releases 3 protons, donated to water to increase the hydronium concentration. There are 3 equilibriums.

Explanation:

H₃PO₄ + H₂O ⇄ H₃O⁺ + H₂PO₄⁻ Ka₁

H₂PO₄⁻ + H₂O ⇄ H₃O⁺ + HPO₄⁻² Ka₂

HPO₄⁻² + H₂O ⇄ H₃O⁺ + PO₄⁻³ Ka₃

Diprotic acids → They release 2 H⁺

Carbonic acid

Monoprotic acids → They release 1 H⁺

Acetic acid