Question

For a diprotic acid, which of the following is true for first and second ionization constants? $ (K_{a_1} $ and $ K_{a_2} $ ).

• A. $ K_{a_1} = K_{a_2} $
• B. $ K_{a_1} > K_{a_2} $
• C. $ K_{a_2} > K_{a_1} $
• D. $ K_{a_2} \ge K_{a_1} $

Answer 1

Answer: (B)

For a diprotic acid, further ionization is difficult,
therefore
$K _{a_1} > K_{a_2}$