Unlike Ka, the percent ionization of a weak acid typically changes when:
AThe observer watching
BThe initial concentration
CThe container shape
DThe stirring rate used
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: B. The initial concentration
1. Ka is a constant at a given temperature and does not depend on how much acid you started with.
2. Percent ionisation is a different measure, being the fraction of acid that has ionised.
3. Unlike the Ka value, the percent ionization of a weak acid varies with the initial concentration of acid.
4. It typically decreases as concentration increases.
5. A dilute weak acid is therefore proportionally more ionised than a concentrated one.
_Source: OpenStax Chemistry 2e (CC BY 4.0), Ch 14 'Acid-Base Equilibria', sections 14.1-14.7_
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