Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
Ka1 refers to the acidity constant associated with the first ionization of citric acid. It measures how easily the first hydrogen ion (H+) can be removed from citric acid.
Related terms
Ionization: The process by which an atom or molecule gains or loses electrons, forming ions.
Acidity Constant: A numerical value indicating the degree of acidity or basicity of an aqueous solution.
Hydrogen Ion (H+): A positively charged ion consisting solely of a proton, often involved in acidic reactions.