Formula For pKa Calculator
- Understanding the pKa Formula: The pKa formula used in the calculator is explained in detail. It involves taking the negative logarithm (base 10) of the ratio of the conjugate base concentration (A-) to the acid concentration (HA). This ratio represents the extent of dissociation of the acid, and the resulting pKa value is a measure of the solution’s acidity.
pKa=−log10([HA][A-])
User Input
- Prompting for Concentrations: The calculator begins by prompting the user to enter numerical values for the concentration of an acid (HA) and its conjugate base (A-).
Validation
- Input Verification: Upon user submission, the JavaScript function
calculatepKa()verifies the user’s input to ensure that valid numerical values have been entered.
Calculation
- Formula Application: If the input values are valid and the conjugate base concentration (A-) is not zero, the calculator proceeds to calculate the pKa value using a mathematical formula.
Display Result
- Result Presentation: The calculated pKa value is then displayed on the web page in a designated
divelement with the id “result.” The result is formatted to show two decimal places for clarity.
Conclusion
- Interpreting Results: The pKa value, once calculated, serves as an indicator of the solution’s acidity. A lower pKa value suggests a stronger acid, while a higher pKa value indicates a weaker acid.
This breakdown of headings provides a clear overview of how the pKa calculator works and how it utilizes the pKa formula to determine the acidity of a solution based on user-provided concentrations of an acid and its conjugate base.