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Acids, Bases and Buffers

Buffer calculations and the buffer that controls blood pH

  • 4 things to know
  • Components 01 and 03

Overview

Recall questions on calculating hydrogen ion concentration and pH from Ka and the two concentrations, and on the carbonic acid-hydrogencarbonate system in blood.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

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Numbers

How can the hydrogen ion concentration in a buffer be calculated?

Numbers

Calculate the pH when Ka value = 0.000829 mol dm⁻³, concentration of weak acid = 0.6 mol dm⁻³, concentration of salt = 0.96 mol dm⁻³.

Numbers

State the formula for calculating [H⁺] in a buffer solution.

Numbers

What is [H⁺] in a buffer with Kₐ = 0.000839 mol dm⁻³, a weak acid concentration of 0.95 mol dm⁻³ and a conjugate base concentration of 1.83 mol dm⁻³?

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

  1. 1

    What quantities are needed to calculate the pH of a buffer solution?

    Model answer

    The Kₐ value of the weak acid and the equilibrium concentrations of the conjugate acid–base pair.

  2. 2

    Calculate the pH when Ka value = 0.000829 mol dm⁻³, concentration of weak acid = 0.6 mol dm⁻³, concentration of salt = 0.96 mol dm⁻³.

    Model answer

    pH = −log₁₀(0.000829 × (0.6 ÷ 0.96)) = 3.29.

  3. 3

    How can the hydrogen ion concentration in a buffer be calculated?

    Model answer

    By rearranging the Kₐ expression: [H⁺] = Kₐ × [acid]/[conjugate base].

  4. 4

    State the formula for calculating [H⁺] in a buffer solution.

    Model answer

    [H⁺] = Kₐ × [acid]/[conjugate base]

  5. 5

    Calculate the hydrogen ion concentration when Ka value = 0.000839 mol dm⁻³, concentration of weak acid = 0.95 mol dm⁻³, concentration of conjugate base = 1.83 mol dm⁻³.

    Model answer

    Hydrogen ion concentration = 0.000839 × (0.95 ÷ 1.83) = 0.000436 mol dm⁻³.

  6. 6

    Which buffer system controls blood pH?

    Model answer

    The carbonic acid–hydrogencarbonate buffer system.

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