Chapter 9: Problem 27
What mass of sodium formate must be added to \(500.0 \mathrm{~mL}\) of \(1.00 \mathrm{M}\) formic acid to produce a buffer solution that has a \(\mathrm{pH}\) of \(3.50\) ?
Short Answer
Expert verified
Add 19.04 g of sodium formate to the solution.
Step by step solution
01
Understand the Buffer System
We are dealing with a buffer solution made up of a weak acid and its conjugate base. In this case, formic acid (
HCOOH) and sodium formate (
HCOONa) form the buffer pair, where sodium formate acts as the conjugate base to formic acid.
02
Use the Henderson-Hasselbalch Equation
The pH of a buffer can be calculated using the Henderson-Hasselbalch equation:\[ \text{pH} = \text{pKa} + \log \left( \frac{[\text{A}^-]}{[\text{HA}]} \right) \]We know the pH is 3.5, the concentration of formic acid \([\text{HA}]=1.00\,\mathrm{M}\), and need to find the concentration of sodium formate \([\text{A}^-]\). The \(\text{pKa}\) of formic acid is approximately 3.75.
03
Calculate the Concentration of Sodium Formate
Rearrange the Henderson-Hasselbalch equation to solve for \([\text{A}^-]\):\[ 3.50 = 3.75 + \log \left( \frac{[\text{A}^-]}{1.00} \right) \]Subtract 3.75 from both sides:\[ 3.50 - 3.75 = \log \left( \frac{[\text{A}^-]}{1.00} \right) \]This simplifies to:\[ -0.25 = \log \left( [\text{A}^-] \right) \]To remove the logarithm, take the antilog (10 raised to the power of both sides):\[ 10^{-0.25} = [\text{A}^-] \]This gives \([\text{A}^-] \approx 0.56\,\mathrm{M}\).
04
Calculate the Mass of Sodium Formate Needed
The concentration \([\text{A}^-]\) is 0.56 M, meaning we need 0.56 moles per liter. For 500 mL (0.5 L), the moles of sodium formate required are:\[0.56 \times 0.5 = 0.28 \text{ moles} \]The molar mass of sodium formate (\(\mathrm{HCOONa}\)) is approximately 68.01 g/mol. Therefore, the mass needed is:\[0.28 \times 68.01 \approx 19.04\, \mathrm{g}\]
05
Conclusion
To prepare the buffer solution with a pH of 3.50, add approximately 19.04 grams of sodium formate to 500 mL of 1.00 M formic acid.
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Henderson-Hasselbalch equation
The Henderson-Hasselbalch equation is crucial for understanding buffer solutions. It offers a straightforward way to determine the pH of a solution containing a weak acid and its conjugate base. The equation is expressed as: \[ \text{pH} = \text{pKa} + \log \left( \frac{[\text{A}^-]}{[\text{HA}]} \right) \]Where:
- pH is the measure of acidity of the buffer.
- pKa is the acid dissociation constant, a fixed value specific to each weak acid.
- [A^-] represents the concentration of the conjugate base.
- [HA] is the concentration of the weak acid.
weak acid and conjugate base
A buffer solution typically consists of a weak acid and its conjugate base. In our exercise, formic acid (\( \text{HCOOH} \)) serves as the weak acid, while sodium formate (\( \text{HCOONa} \)) acts as its conjugate base. Why weak acids?
- Weak acids partially dissociate in solution, which helps maintain a balance between the undissociated acid (\( \text{HA} \)) and the dissociated ions (\( \text{H}^+ \) and \( \text{A}^- \)).
- This partial dissociation is what gives buffers their ability to resist significant changes in pH when either acid or base is added.
- The conjugate base is what remains after a weak acid donates its hydrogen ion.
- It can recombine with \( \text{H}^+ \) ions, minimizing pH changes by controlling the ratio of \( [\text{A}^-] \) to \( [\text{HA}] \).
pH calculation
Calculating the pH of a buffer solution is a fundamental step in understanding its chemistry. For buffers built from a weak acid and its conjugate base, the pH is not determined directly from the concentration of \( \text{H}^+ \) ions. Instead, it involves using the Henderson-Hasselbalch equation. Steps to calculate pH:
1. **Identify and know the values needed:**
- The **pKa** of the weak acid. - Concentrations of the weak acid \( ([\text{HA}]) \) and the conjugate base \( ([\text{A}^-]) \).2. **Plug the known values into the Henderson-Hasselbalch equation**:
\[ \text{pH} = \text{pKa} + \log \left( \frac{[\text{A}^-]}{[\text{HA}]} \right) \]3. **Solve for pH:**
Substitute the available values and calculate the pH.This equation simplifies the calculation by translating concentration ratios and dissociation constants into a logarithmic scale, leading to an efficient way of determining how acidic or basic a solution is likely to be. By following the calculated steps, you can predict and manipulate the behavior of a buffer system successfully.
1. **Identify and know the values needed:**
- The **pKa** of the weak acid. - Concentrations of the weak acid \( ([\text{HA}]) \) and the conjugate base \( ([\text{A}^-]) \).2. **Plug the known values into the Henderson-Hasselbalch equation**:
\[ \text{pH} = \text{pKa} + \log \left( \frac{[\text{A}^-]}{[\text{HA}]} \right) \]3. **Solve for pH:**
Substitute the available values and calculate the pH.This equation simplifies the calculation by translating concentration ratios and dissociation constants into a logarithmic scale, leading to an efficient way of determining how acidic or basic a solution is likely to be. By following the calculated steps, you can predict and manipulate the behavior of a buffer system successfully.