Ka vs. Kb

[Mia Glinn 1I]

What is the difference between Ka and Kb, and is the procedure to find them different?

Can we only calculate X in an ICE box with the Ka?

[Caden Ciraulo 1J]

K_A is a measure of the strength of an acid whereas K_B is the measure of a strength of a base. If you are given a reaction with an acid as a product, you would utilize K_A to find x, but if you are given a base, you would utilize K_B to find x. If you are given mismatching things, such as a base reaction with a K_A value, you may need to utilize equations such as K_A*K_B=K_W to find K_B and find x with that value.

[Daljit Takher 1B]

The difference between Ka and Kb is that Ka is the acid dissociation constant in a solution with weak acid. While Kb is the basicity dissociation constant in a solution with a weak base. I pretty sure the processes of using both is the same just in different situation correct me if I am wrong. You can use both using the equation Ka*Kb=Kw

[gwenkelley3L]

Ka is used for acids and Kb is used for bases! You can use either one to find X in a given situation but should use the corresponding constant to your equation, for example if you have a base, you should use Kb. You can use the equation Ka x Kb = Kw if you need to use both, or to find one or the other.

[Wren Xu 3A]

Ka is the acidity constant of a weak acid and Kb is the basicity constant of a weak base.
Ka = [H3O+][Conjugate Base]/[Weak Acid]
Kb = [OH-][Conjugate Acid]/[weak Base]
If you need to convert one to the other, use Ka * Kb = Kw

[Mia Glinn 1I]

K_A is a measure of the strength of an acid whereas K_B is the measure of a strength of a base. If you are given a reaction with an acid as a product, you would utilize K_A to find x, but if you are given a base, you would utilize K_B to find x. If you are given mismatching things, such as a base reaction with a K_A value, you may need to utilize equations such as K_A*K_B=K_W to find K_B and find x with that value.

Thank you, this is perfect! Gives me a much better understanding of what each K means and when to use them.

[Heba Bounar 3K]

Hi! Ka is a value that represents the strength of an acid, and Kb is a value that represents the strength of a base. You can use the equation Kw = 1.0 * 10^-14 = Ka * Kb to switch between the two. If you are given a reaction where acid is a product, then you need the Ka to calculate X in an ICE box. If you are given a reaction where base is a product, then you need the Kb to calculate X in an ICE box. Hope that helps!

[SuryaDham 3E]

Ka has h30+ in the numerator, Kb is for when you have oh- in the numerator.

[emmakvarnell]

Ka is the equilibrium concentration for an acid, and Kb is the equilibrium concentration for a base. You can find x for both, and the procedure to find each is the same.

[605733348]

One is about acid and another is about base.