Question

Solutions of sodium acetate and acetic acid are combined in equal volume to produce a buffer. Identify the combination that will produce the buffer with the highest buffer capacity. Select one: a. 0.01 M CH3COOH , 0.1 M CH3COONa b. 0.1 M CH3COOH , 0.1 M CH3COONa c. 0.1 M CH3COOH , 0.01 M CH3COONa d. 0.01 M CH3COOH , 0.01 M CH3COONa

Answer 1

Option b=> 0.1 M CH3COOH , 0.1 M CH3COONa.

Step-by-step explanation:

In chemistry, when an acid or a base(alkali) is added to a solution and the solution pH does not change then we say that the solution is a BUFFER SOLUTION (that is a solution, upon the addition of acid or base will show resistance in pH value).

In order to be able to answer this question efficiently we have to consider the mathematical representation or Equation below;

pH = pKa + log ( [ A^-] / [HA] )--------------------------------------------------------------------(1).

What the mathematical representation or Equation (1) above is telling is is that if [A^-] or [HA] is high then there will be the production of buffer with higher buffer capacity.