At what pH is the average net charge -1/2? pH = TOOLS B. Whx10/ net charge of +1? below pH 2.34 at pH = 2.34 at pH = 6.01 at pH = 9.69 above pH 9.69 C At what point has enough base been added to react with 1/2 of the NH3 groups?
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
To address this, it seems you’re working with the concept of the pH at which a compound, like ammonia (NH₃), reaches certain charge states based on its acidic or basic properties. Let’s break this down:
1. pH at which the average net charge is -1/2:
The net charge of an amino acid or peptide is dependent on the ionization of its functional groups, including amines and carboxyls. The net charge is calculated based on the pKa values of these groups and the pH of the solution.
- The pH at which the average net charge is -1/2 would likely correspond to the pI (isoelectric point), where the molecule has an equal amount of positive and negative charges, and this balance leads to a net charge of zero.
- In some cases, like with a diprotic or triprotic molecule, the net charge is determined by the pKa values of the acidic or basic groups, and it changes with the pH.
- If you mention that the average net charge is -1/2 at pH = 2.34, this indicates that the molecule is in a region where it is slightly more negatively charged than positively charged, indicating it’s near a transition point between protonation states.
2. pH values corresponding to a net charge of +1:
For a molecule like NH₃, with a basic amine group, the molecule would tend to be protonated (NH₄⁺) at low pH and neutral or deprotonated (NH₃) at higher pH. At pH = 2.34, it’s likely protonated, resulting in a positive net charge (+1). Above this pH, the net charge will decrease, transitioning to neutral.
3. The pH at which enough base has been added to react with 1/2 of the NH₃ groups:
This typically occurs at the pKa of the NH₃ group (around 9.69), where half of the NH₃ groups have been deprotonated into NH₂. At this pH, the molecule is in equilibrium between NH₄⁺ (protonated) and NH₃ (deprotonated).
Conclusion:
- At pH = 2.34, the average net charge is +1 because NH₄⁺ predominates.
- At pH = 6.01, the charge is likely to be zero, where there is a balance of NH₄⁺ and NH₃.
- At pH = 9.69, enough base has been added to deprotonate half of the NH₃ groups, reaching equilibrium between NH₄⁺ and NH₃.
Understanding these pH transitions allows you to understand how ammonia (NH₃) or similar molecules behave in solution and how their charges change with pH.
