Final answer:
The ratio of bicarbonate to carbonic acid is calculated using the Henderson-Hasselbalch equation. The Henderson-Hasselbalch equation is used in chemistry to calculate the pH of a buffer solution. In the case of blood, bicarbonate acts as a base and carbonic acid acts as an acid to maintain a stable pH.
Step-by-step explanation:
The ratio of bicarbonate to carbonic acid is calculated using the Henderson-Hasselbalch equation. In this equation, the pH is equal to the pKa of carbonic acid plus the logarithm of the ratio of the concentration of the base (HCO3¯) to the concentration of the acid (H₂CO3).
The Henderson-Hasselbalch equation is used in chemistry to calculate the pH of a buffer solution. A buffer solution resists changes in pH when small amounts of acid or base are added. In the case of blood, bicarbonate acts as a base and carbonic acid acts as an acid to maintain a stable pH.
For example, using the given concentrations of carbonic acid (0.0012 M) and hydrogen carbonate ion (0.024 M), the ratio would be:
pH = pKa + log [HCO3¯] / [H₂CO3]
pH = 6.4 + log (0.024 / 0.0012)
pH = 7.97