Final answer:
To find the [H3O+] of a 0.2 M HF and 0.1 M NaF solution, we apply the Henderson-Hasselbalch equation and calculate a pH of 2.84, leading to an [H3O+] of about 1.4 × 10^-3 M.
Step-by-step explanation:
To calculate the concentration of hydronium ions ([H3O+]) in a solution containing hydrofluoric acid (HF) and sodium fluoride (NaF), we need to apply the Henderson-Hasselbalch equation. The given acid dissociation constant (Ka) for HF is 7.2 × 10^-4. With the concentrations of HF and NaF at 0.2 M and 0.1 M respectively, we are looking at a buffer system.
First, calculate the ratio of the base to acid, which should be the concentration of NaF (the salt providing the conjugate base F-) divided by the concentration of HF (the acid):
[Base]/[Acid] = [F-]/[HF] = 0.1 M /0.2 M = 0.5
Using the Henderson-Hasselbalch equation:
pH = pKa + log([Base]/[Acid])
Substituting the known values:
pH = -log(7.2 × 10^-4) + log(0.5)
pH ≈ 3.14 + (-0.3010) ≈ 2.84
Then, to find [H3O+], take the inverse log of the negative pH:
[H3O+] = 10^-pH = 10^-2.84 ≈ 1.4 × 10^-3 M
Therefore, the concentration of hydronium ions in this buffer solution is approximately 1.4 × 10^-3 M, which matches option (b).