Question

equal molar quantities of sodium hydroxide and sodium hydrogen phosphate are mixed.
(a) write the balanced, net ionic equation for the acid base reaction that can in principle occur.
(b) does the equilibrium lie to the left or right?

Answer 1

$Na_2HPO_4 + NaOH → Na_3PO_4 + H_2O$

(a) $HPO4^{2-} + OH^- → PO4^{3-} + H2O$

(b) To the left.

weak acids ionize only partially, and the ionization reaction is reversible. Thus, a reaction with a strong base makes the equilibrium lie to the left.