Practice question
Question
A weak base NH₃ ( Kb = 1.8 × 10⁻⁵ ) is 1% ionized in a solution. What is [NH₃] ?
Explanation
Let [NH₃] = C , α = 0.01 , [OH-] = C α = 0.01C . Kb = ((0.01C)²/C(1 - 0.01)) ≈ (0.0001C²/0.99C) = 1.01 × 10⁻⁴C = 1.8 × 10⁻⁵ , C = (1.8 × 10⁻⁵/1.01 × 10⁻⁴) ≈ 0.178 M .