The acid dissociation constant Ka equals 1.26 × 10–2 for HSO4– (acid 1) and is 5.6 × 10–10for NH4+(acid 2). Predict the net direction of the following reaction: HSO4–(aq) + NH3(aq) SO42–(aq) + NH4+(aq)

As K >>> 1, the reaction will shift to the products

Explanation:

To know the direction of any reaction you must calculate the equilibrium constant, K. If K is < 1, the reaction will shift to the reactants and if k > 1 the reaction will shift to the products.

With the reactions:

HSO₄⁻ ⇄ SO₄²⁻ + H⁺ Ka = 1.26x10⁻²

And:

NH₄⁺ ⇄ NH₃⁺ + H⁺ Ka = 5.6x10⁻¹⁰

The inverse reaction:

NH₃⁺ + H⁺ ⇄ NH₄⁺ 1/Ka = 1.8x10⁹

The sum of the reactions:

HSO₄⁻ + NH₃⁺ + H⁺ ⇄ NH₄⁺ + SO₄²⁻ + H⁺ K = 1.26x10⁻² ₓ 1.8x10⁹ = 2.3x10⁷