(Solved): The value of \( K_{\mathrm{a}} \) for benzoic acid, \( \mathrm{C}_{6} \mathrm{H}_{5} \mathrm{COOH} ...

The value of \( K_{\mathrm{a}} \) for benzoic acid, \( \mathrm{C}_{6} \mathrm{H}_{5} \mathrm{COOH} \), is \( 6.3 \times 10^{-5} \). When sodium benzoate, \( \mathrm{Na}^{+} \) \( \mathrm{C}_{6} \mathrm{H}_{5} \mathrm{COO}^{-} \), is dissolved in water, the reaction that occurs is resulting in a solution that is \[ \mathrm{C}_{6} \mathrm{H}_{5} \mathrm{COO}^{-}+\mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{O} \longleftrightarrow \mathrm{C}_{6} \mathrm{H}_{5} \mathrm{COOH}+\mathrm{OH}^{-} \text {; basic } \] No reaction; neutral \[ \mathrm{C}_{6} \mathrm{H}_{5} \mathrm{COOH}+\mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{O} \longleftrightarrow \mathrm{H}_{3} \mathrm{O}^{+}+\mathrm{C}_{6} \mathrm{H}_{5} \mathrm{COO}^{-} \text {; acidic } \]