Based on the pKa of benzoic acid and the pKa of HCl, what do you hypothesize will happen in terms of reaction equilibrium?
a) the equilibrium will favor the starting materials (sodium benzoate and HCl) because HCl has a lower pKa
b) the equilibrium will favor the starting materials (sodium benzoate and HCl) because benzoic acid has a lower pKa
c) the equilibrium will favor the products (benzoic acid and NaCl) because benzoic acid has a lower pKa
d) the equilibrium will favor the products ( benzoic acid and NaCl) because HCl has a lower pKa