If you have CL2 + H2o ---> H+ + Cl- + HOCl

and you are given [HOCl] = 0.06 M
and you have to find pH....
can you assume that [HOCl] =[H+] = 0.06 M
since H+ and HOCl both have a coefficient of 1?
Thank you

No, you may not assume that BECAUSE HOCl is a weak acid (it has a Ka and it does not ionize completely as dos HCl, HBr, etc).

So if I can't assume that, then how can I calclate pH? I don't know K value, so I can't use Henderson Hasselbalc...

In the given chemical equation, the reaction between Cl2 and H2O produces H+, Cl-, and HOCl. However, the coefficients of each species in the equation do not necessarily indicate that their concentrations will be the same. To find the pH, we need to determine the concentration of H+ ions.

In this case, we are given that the concentration of HOCl is 0.06 M. It is important to note that HOCl dissociates partially in water to produce H+ and Cl-. Since the concentration of HOCl is given, we cannot assume that [HOCl] = [H+].

To find the concentration of H+, we need to consider the dissociation constant of HOCl, also known as the acid-dissociation constant (Ka). The Ka value represents the extent to which a weak acid (such as HOCl) dissociates in water.

Using the dissociation reaction: HOCl ⇌ H+ + Cl-, we can write the expression for the Ka as follows:
Ka = [H+][Cl-] / [HOCl]

Since the concentration of Cl- (chloride ion) is not given in the equation, we cannot directly calculate the concentration of H+ from the given [HOCl]. To determine the pH, additional information would be needed, such as the concentration of Cl- or the value of Ka.

Therefore, in this case, we cannot assume that [HOCl] = [H+].