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(a) The total carbon dioxide content (H_2CO_3 + HCO_3^-) in a blood sample is de

ID: 514527 • Letter: #

Question

(a) The total carbon dioxide content (H_2CO_3 + HCO_3^-) in a blood sample is determined by acidifying the sample and measuring the volume of CO_2 evolved with a Van Slyke manometric apparatus. The total concentration was determined to be 28.5 mmol/L. The blood pH at 37 degree C was determined to be 7.48. What are the concentrations of H_2CO_3 and HCO_3^- in the blood? H_2CO_3 H^+ + HCO_3^- pKa_1 = 6.1 (b) What weights of NaH_2PO_4 and Na_2HPO_4 would be required to prepare 1 L of a buffer solution of pH 7.45 that has an ionic strength of 0.100? Note that pKa values for H_3PO_4 are 1.96, 7.12, and 12.32.

Explanation / Answer

Answer to Part A

H2CO3 <==> HCO3- + H+

Using Henderson Hesselbalch equation:

pH = pKa + log [HCO3-] / [H2CO3]

7.48 = 6.1 + log [HCO3-] / [H2CO3]

log [HCO3-] / [H2CO3] = 1.38

[HCO3-] / [H2CO3] = 101.38 = 23.98

[HCO3-] + [H2CO3] = 28.5 mmol L-1 (Given)

[HCO3-] = 23.98 X [H2CO3]

28.5 - [H2CO3] = 23.98 X [H2CO3]

28.5 = 24.98 X [H2CO3]

[H2CO3] = 1.14 mmol L-1

[HCO3-] + 1.14 = 28.5

[HCO3-] = 27.36 mmol

Answer to Part B

NaH2PO4 and Na2HPO4 will be present around second equivalence point

H2PO4- <==> HPO4-2 + H+

Using Henderson Hesselbalch equation:

pH = pKa + log [HPO4-2] / [H2PO4-]

7.45 = 7.12 + log [HPO4-2] / [H2PO4-]

log [HPO4-2] / [H2PO4-] = 0.33

[HPO4-2] / [H2PO4-] = 100.33

= 2.14

[HPO4-2] = 2.14[H2PO4-]

Total ionic strength = 0.1

[HPO4-2] + [H2PO4-] = 0.1

2.14[H2PO4-] + [H2PO4-] = 0.1

3.14[H2PO4-] = 0.1

[H2PO4-] = 0.032 M

[HPO4-2] + 0.032 = 0.1

[HPO4-2] = 0.068 M

mass of NaH2PO4 = number of moles X Molar mass

= molarity X Volume X Molar mass

= 0.032 M X 1 L X 120 g mol-1

= 3.84 g

mass of Na2HPO4 = number of moles X Molar mass

= molarity X Volume X Molar mass

= 0.068 M X 1 L X 142 g mol-1

= 9.66 g