Lectures on pH calculation

On all pages HA, H₂A, H₃A denote acids, while BOH, B(OH)₂, B(OH)₃ bases.

C is for analytical concentration. C_a and C_b stand for analytical concentrations of acid and base respectively. Square brackets denote equilibrium concentration of individual forms.

K_a stands for acid dissociation constant, K_a1, K_a2 stand for stepwise dissociation constants, while K_a12 or K_a123 stand for overall dissociation constants. K_b is base dissociation constant - with all identical modifiers.

K_aBOH and K_bHA are dissociation constants for conjugate base and acid respectively used whenever I thought there is a risk of confusion.

M stands for mol/L.

log stands always for logarithm base 10.

I am assuming that you are familiar with quadratic equations and your knowledge about logarithms reaches a little bit further than the key on your calculator.