Since we are given the molarity of the strong acid and strong base as well as the volume of the base, we are able to find the volume of the acid. The equation of the reaction is as follows:
`HI(aq)+KOH(aq) -> H_2 O(l)+KI(aq)`
We see that the mole ratio necessary for HI to neutralize KOH is 1:1; therefore, we need the moles of HI to be equal to the KOH present in the solution.
To find the number of moles of KOH we multiply the molarity of KOH with the volume of KOH, notice how the liter unit cancels out:
2.1 Liter | 2.0 mol KOH | 4.2 mol KOH | |
1 Liter |
As the moles of KOH = moles of HI at the equivalence point, we have 4.2 moles of HI.
To find the volume of the solution of HI, we use the molarity of HI (3.4 M) and the fact that we have 4.2 moles of HI:
4.2 mol HI | 1 Liter | X | |
3.4 mol HI |
By dividing by 4.2 mol by 3.4 mol HI , we get:
X | 4.2 mol HI | 1.2 Liter | ||
3.4 mol HI / Liter |
We are left with X = 1.2 L. The answer is 1.2 L of 3.4 M HI required to reach the equivalence point with 2.1 L of 2.0 M KOH.
(3.4 M)(V1) = (2.1 L)(2.0 M)
V1 = (2.1 L)(2.0 M) / (3.4 M) = 1.2