Final answer:
To determine the pH and pOH of the given solution, we first need to understand the concept of an acid-base buffer solution. The pKa value for boric acid (H3BO3) is given as a reference. With the Ka value determined, we can now use it to calculate the concentrations of the acid and base in the solution, as well as the pH and pOH.
Step-by-step explanation:
To determine the pH and pOH of the given solution, we first need to understand the concept of an acid-base buffer solution. An acid-base buffer solution consists of a weak acid and its conjugate base, or a weak base and its conjugate acid. In this case, the weak acid is boric acid (H3BO3) and the conjugate base is sodium borate (Na2B4O7).
The pKa value for boric acid (H3BO3) is given as a reference. The pKa value represents the logarithmic value of the acid dissociation constant (Ka). The pKa value for boric acid is 9.24. From this value, we can determine the Ka value by taking the inverse logarithm, which gives us Ka = 10^-pKa.
With the Ka value determined, we can now use it to calculate the concentrations of the acid and base in the solution, as well as the pH and pOH. The concentration of boric acid can be calculated by multiplying the molarity of the solution by the dissociation constant Ka. Similarly, the concentration of sodium borate can be calculated by subtracting the concentration of boric acid from the initial molarity of the sodium borate. From the concentrations of boric acid and sodium borate, we can calculate the pH and pOH using the formulas pH = -log[H3O+] and pOH = -log[OH-].