predominant species

[Daljit Takher 1B]

How do you find the if the predominant species at a certain pH is charged or neutral?

[Austin_Schwartz_1L]

Hello,
You do this by comparing pKa values to pH values. If the pKa is lower than the pH, the predominant species will be [A-]. On the other hand, if the pKa value is higher than the pH then the predominant species will be [HA].
I hope this helps!

[Patrick Herbig 1E]

Austin gave a great explanation of how to interpret the predominant species when the pKa is greater than or less than the pH. However, if the pH=pKa, then there are equal amounts of HA and A- which is the third option in this scenario.

[Hannah Kim 3C]

If the pKa is different from the pH, the predominant species is charged. If they are the equal to each other, they are neutral. This also applies for pKb and pOH.