Equivalents of Phosphoric Acid in 300 mL of 4.00 M Solution

How many equivalents of phosphoric acid are contained in 300 mL of 4.00 M phosphoric acid? (Assume the acid is to be completely neutralized by a base.)

In 300 mL of 4.00 M phosphoric acid, how many equivalents of phosphoric acid are present?

Answer:

In 300 mL of 4.00 M phosphoric acid, there are 1.2 equivalents of phosphoric acid.

When dealing with solutions of acids and bases, it is important to understand the concept of equivalents. In this case, we are looking at the number of equivalents of phosphoric acid in a 300 mL solution of 4.00 M concentration.

To calculate the number of equivalents of phosphoric acid in the given solution, we use the formula:

Equivalents = Concentration (Molarity) × Volume (Liters)

Given that the concentration (Molarity) of the phosphoric acid solution is 4.00 M and the volume is 300 mL (0.3 liters when converted), we can substitute these values into the formula:

Equivalents = 4.00 M × 0.3 L = 1.2 equivalents

This means that there are 1.2 equivalents of phosphoric acid in 300 mL of 4.00 M phosphoric acid solution. The concept of equivalents takes into account the acid's ability to donate protons (H+) and react with a base in a chemical reaction.

Understanding equivalents is essential in stoichiometry and chemical calculations, as it allows us to compare reactivity and the number of reacting entities in different chemical reactions. In acid-base reactions, knowing the number of equivalents helps determine the amount of reactant needed to neutralize another substance accurately.

This concept is particularly crucial in analytical chemistry and various industries where precise measurements and reactions are vital for success.