Calculating the pH of a buffer solution
Worked example A buffer solution is made from 0.1moldm-3 ethanoic acid(CH3COOH) and 0.2moldm-3 sodium ethanoate(CH3COONa). Calculate the pH of this buffer solution. (Ka for ethanoic acid is 1.7x 10-5moldm-3 at 298K)
Step 1 Write the expression for Ka. HA(aq) H+(aq) + A-(aq) Ka= [H+(aq)][A-(aq)]/ [HA(aq)]
Ka= [H+(aq)][A-(aq)] [HA(aq)]
Step 2 Apply the 2 assumptions * All the A-(aq) comes from the salt i.e. [A-(aq) ] = [salt(aq)] * Almost all the HA molecules remain unchanged i.e. [HA(aq)]equilibrium = [HA(aq)]initial
Step 3 Write the new expression for Ka Ka = [H+(aq)][salt(aq)] [acid]
Step 4 put the values given in the new expression to find [H+(aq)] 1.7 x 10-5 = [H+(aq)] x 0.2/0.1 [H+(aq)]= 1.7 x 10-5 x 0.1/0.2=8.5x10-6(moldm-3)
Step 5 Work out the pH pH = - log[H+(aq)] = -log( 8.5x 10-6) = 5.07 (at 298K) That’s it –Chemistry is fun !