1. What is Percent Ionization?

Percent ionization is a measure of the extent to which a weak acid or base dissociates in solution. It represents the percentage of the initial concentration that has ionized at equilibrium.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the percent ionization formula:

Where:

• \( [H^+] \) — Hydrogen ion concentration at equilibrium (mol/L)
• Initial Concentration — Initial concentration of the acid (mol/L)

Explanation: The formula calculates what percentage of the original acid molecules have donated a proton to become ions in solution.

3. Importance of Percent Ionization

Details: Percent ionization helps determine the strength of weak acids and bases. Higher percent ionization indicates a stronger acid. It's crucial for understanding acid-base equilibrium and predicting pH behavior in chemical systems.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter hydrogen ion concentration and initial concentration in mol/L. Both values must be positive, and [H+] cannot exceed the initial concentration.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What's the difference between strong and weak acids?
A: Strong acids ionize completely (≈100%), while weak acids only partially ionize. Percent ionization quantifies this partial dissociation.

Q2: Can percent ionization exceed 100%?
A: No, percent ionization cannot exceed 100% as it represents the fraction of molecules that have ionized relative to the initial concentration.

Q3: How does concentration affect percent ionization?
A: For weak acids, percent ionization increases as concentration decreases (dilution effect).

Q4: What are typical percent ionization values?
A: Strong acids approach 100%, while weak acids typically range from 0.1% to 10% depending on the acid strength and concentration.

Q5: How is this related to Ka (acid dissociation constant)?
A: Percent ionization can be used to calculate Ka for weak acids using the formula: Ka = (C × α²)/(1-α), where α is the fraction ionized.