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Topic: Tough amphiprotic salt problem  (Read 3264 times)

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Offline Rutherford

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Tough amphiprotic salt problem
« on: December 12, 2012, 01:22:29 PM »
In a buffer solution (pH=8), some amount of NaHCO3 is added and the pH remained the same. In what ratio are the concentrations of H2CO3, HCO3- and CO32- (Ka1=4.45*10-7, Ka2=4.69*10-11) in the obtained solution?

Mine answer wasn't in agreement with the book's (I just got 1 number different), so I will write mine attempt:
I will mark the concentration of the hydrogen carbonate with c where a+b=c.
HCO3-+H2O ::equil:: H3O++CO32- Ka2=4.69*10-11
a-x≈a              10-8      x
HCO3-+H2O ::equil:: OH-+H2CO3 Kb=2.25*10-8
b-y≈b              10-6      y
To solve this I have to assume that a≈b=a, and I get that x=a/213.22, y=a/44.
Now c:x:y= 2a : a/213.22 : a/44.44=426:1:4.8, while in the book it is 213:1:4.8. Where have I mistaken, or is it a mistake in the book?

Offline Borek

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Re: Tough amphiprotic salt problem
« Reply #1 on: December 12, 2012, 03:15:59 PM »
So a is the concentration of HCO3-, and b is the concentration of HCO3-, and their sum is the concentration of HCO3-?
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Offline Rutherford

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Re: Tough amphiprotic salt problem
« Reply #2 on: December 13, 2012, 08:21:40 AM »
Nice catch :)! It should be a≈b≈c. Thanks very much!
« Last Edit: December 13, 2012, 09:07:41 AM by Raderford »

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