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Topic: Help with buffer problem?  (Read 3259 times)

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Offline Superskillzz

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Help with buffer problem?
« on: April 11, 2011, 07:30:21 PM »
I'm having trouble figuring out this buffer solution problem...

A buffer is prepared by combining 250 mL of 0.3 M NaOH and 250 mL of a 0.8 M weak acid, HA. If the pH of the buffer is 8.44, what is the Ka of the acid?

Offline rabolisk

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Re: Help with buffer problem?
« Reply #1 on: April 11, 2011, 07:36:34 PM »
What exactly are you having trouble with?

Offline Superskillzz

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Re: Help with buffer problem?
« Reply #2 on: April 11, 2011, 07:47:31 PM »
Ok, well I'm guessing I have to use the Henderson-Hasselblach equation because of the information I'm given and I have to solve for pKa from the equation. So the equation is going to be...

8.44 = pKa + log([conjugate base]/[acid])

I'm having trouble figuring out what values should be used for the conjugate base and acid concentrations. I know you use the NaOH and HA somehow, but that's where I'm stuck.

Offline rabolisk

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Re: Help with buffer problem?
« Reply #3 on: April 11, 2011, 07:57:24 PM »
What happens when you add NaOH to HA?

Offline Superskillzz

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Re: Help with buffer problem?
« Reply #4 on: April 11, 2011, 08:01:46 PM »
Well, an acid plus a base gives a salt and water...so in this case, it would be the salt NaA and water, right?

Offline AWK

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Re: Help with buffer problem?
« Reply #5 on: April 12, 2011, 02:36:13 AM »
Now do stoichiometry of this reaction.
AWK

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