Consider that sodium hydroxide is added to acetic acid CH3CO

Consider that sodium hydroxide is added to acetic acid (CH3COOH). What is the direction of equilibrium and by how much. Pka of Sodium Hydroxide: 13.8. Pka of Acetic acid: 4.75.

I know the answer, but I need an explanation. Thanks so much!

Solution

if pka *pkb is greater than 1 then the reaction favours that side if we see for the forward reaction 13.8 *4.75=65.55

whereas for the bacward reaction the pka of conjugated acid of ch3coo- is 9.25 and naoh is 0.2 whi is 1.85(pka*pkb)

so forward reaction favours