Predict the direction in which the equilibrium will lie for the reaction H₃PO₄(aq) + HSO₄^-(aq) $\rarr$ H₂PO₄^-(aq) + H₂SO₄(aq) .
K_a1(H₃PO₄) = 7.5 * 10^-3; K_a(H₂SO₄) = very large

Question

Predict the direction in which the equilibrium will lie for the reaction H₃PO₄(aq) + HSO₄^-(aq)

\rarr

H₂PO₄^-(aq) + H₂SO₄(aq) .
K_a1(H₃PO₄) = 7.5 * 10^-3; K_a(H₂SO₄) = very large

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

From the given equilibrium constants, we can see that the equilibrium constant for the reverse reaction is very large compared to the forward reaction (K_a(H₂SO₄) >> K_a1(H₃PO₄)), indicating that the reverse reaction is highly favored. Therefore, the equilibrium will lie to the left, favoring the formation of the reactants.

Predict the Direction in Which the Equilibrium Will Lie for the Reaction