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ChemistryNEET 2025Ionic equilibrium: acids, bases, pH, buffers

Equilibrium

Phosphoric acid ionises in three steps with ionisation constant values Ka1K_{a_1}, Ka2K_{a_2} and Ka3K_{a_3} respectively, while KK is the overall ionisation constant. Which of the following statements are true?

A. log⁡K=log⁡Ka1+log⁡Ka2+log⁡Ka3\log K = \log K_{a_1} + \log K_{a_2} + \log K_{a_3}

B. H3PO4\mathrm{H_3PO_4} is a stronger acid than H2PO4−\mathrm{H_2PO_4^-} and HPO42−\mathrm{HPO_4^{2-}}

C. Ka1>Ka2>Ka3K_{a_1} > K_{a_2} > K_{a_3}

D. Ka2+Ka3Ka1=2\dfrac{K_{a_2} + K_{a_3}}{K_{a_1}} = 2

Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

  1. A.A and B only
  2. B.A and C only
  3. C.B, C and D only
  4. D.A, B and C only✓

Solution

The overall constant is the product K=Ka1Ka2Ka3K = K_{a_1}K_{a_2}K_{a_3}, so the logs add (A). Removing successive protons from an increasingly negative ion gets harder, so Ka1>Ka2>Ka3K_{a_1} > K_{a_2} > K_{a_3} (C) and H3PO4\mathrm{H_3PO_4} is the strongest acid of the three (B). D is baseless. Hence A, B and C.

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