Question

6. An environmental chemist needs a carbonate buffer of pH 10.00 to study the effects of acid rain on limestone-rich soils. To prepare this buffer she will add solid Na2CO3 (106.0 g/mol) to 1.50 L of 0.20 M NaHCO3 . (Ka = 4.7 x 10−11 ) HCO3 − (aq) + H2O(l) ↔ CO3 2− (aq) + H3O + (aq) A. What must the final concentration of Na2CO3 be once mixed with the NaHCO3 solution to obtain a buffer with the correct pH?

Answer 1

[Na₂CO₃] = 0.094M

Step-by-step explanation:

Based on the reaction:

HCO₃⁻(aq) + H₂O(l) ↔ CO₃²⁻(aq) + H₃O⁺(aq)

It is possible to find pH using Henderson-Hasselbalch formula:

pH = pka + log₁₀ [A⁻] / [HA]

Where [A⁻] is concentration of conjugate base, [CO₃²⁻] = [Na₂CO₃] and [HA] is concentration of weak acid, [NaHCO₃] = 0.20M.

pH is desire pH and pKa (10.00) is -log pka = -log 4.7x10⁻¹¹ = 10.33

Replacing these values:

10.00 = 10.33 + log₁₀ [Na₂CO₃] / [0.20]

[Na₂CO₃] = 0.094M