Question

You need to produce a buffer solution that has a pH of 5.50. You already have a solution that contains 10 mmol (millimoles) of acetic acid. How many millimoles of acetate (the conjugate base of acetic acid) will you need to add to this solution?

Answer 1

56.9 mmoles of acetate are required in this buffer

Step-by-step explanation:

To solve this, we can think in the Henderson Hasselbach equation:

pH = pKa + log ([CH₃COO⁻] / [CH₃COOH])

To make the buffer we know:

CH₃COOH + H₂O ⇄ CH₃COO⁻ + H₃O⁺ Ka

We know that Ka from acetic acid is: 1.8×10⁻⁵

pKa = - log Ka

pKa = 4.74

We replace data:

5.5 = 4.74 + log ([acetate] / 10 mmol)

5.5 - 4.74 = log ([acetate] / 10 mmol)

0.755 = log ([acetate] / 10 mmol)

10⁰'⁷⁵⁵ = ([acetate] / 10 mmol)

5.69 = ([acetate] / 10 mmol)

5.69 . 10 = [acetate] → 56.9 mmoles