Step two: Add NaOH. The strong base. They neutralise. But at equivalence? No excess base. Only the conjugate base remains. HSO₃⁻. But wait—HSO₃⁻ is amphiprotic . It can act as an acid or a base. She had forgotten that the first time she tried this question.
Mira put her head on the desk. The wood was cool. She could smell highlighter ink and her own exhausted sweat.
Mira looked at the clock. 12:31 AM. She smiled—a small, tired, real smile. Then she closed the 9-pack, placed it on top of her textbook, and went to sleep.
She flipped to the data sheet. Ka1 of H₂SO₃ = 1.54 × 10⁻². Ka2 = 1.02 × 10⁻⁷. Kb for HSO₃⁻ = Kw/Ka1 = (1×10⁻¹⁴)/(1.54×10⁻²) = 6.49×10⁻¹³.