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A buffer consists of a weak acid or base, and the salt of that acid or base. Con

ID: 1017818 • Letter: A

Question

A buffer consists of a weak acid or base, and the salt of that acid or base.

Consider a buffer made by combining the weak acid HA with its salt, A:

HA(aq)+H2O(l)A(aq)+H3O+(aq)

Ka=[A][H3O+][HA]

The H3O+ concentration of this buffer can be calculated using the Ka expression:

[H3O+]=Ka[HA][A]

You can use this expression when solving for pH, or you can simplify the expression even more. Taking the negative log of this expression, you have

log[H3O+]=log[Ka]log[HA][A]

Since log[H3O+]=pH and log[Ka]=pKa, this can be further simplified to

pH=pKa+log[A][HA]

A lactic acid/lactate ion buffer solution contains 0.48 M HC3H5O3 and 0.74 M C3H5O3, respectively. The Ka value of lactic acid is 1.4×104. Calculate the pH of this buffer.

Explanation / Answer

A:- pH = -log Ka + log [C3H5O3] / [HC3H5O3]

          = -log (1.4 * 10^-4) + log (0.74) / (0.48)

          = 3.854 + log (1.542)

          = 3.854 + 0.1881

    pH = 4.04