pH Problems Complete Answers

1. Describe the preparation of 1000 ml of a 0.1 M phosphate buffer pH 7.2 starting with 0.5 M
H3PO4 and 0.5 M NaOH. Assume the following pKas: H3PO4 H2PO4- = 2.2; H2PO4- HPO4-2
= 6.8; HPO4-2 PO4-3 = 12.4.

Answer:

The total phosphate is 100 mM = 200 ml of 0.5 M H3PO4.

At pH 7.2, the two predominant forms of phosphate will be H2PO4- and HPO4-2.
The ratio of HPO4-2 to H2PO4- is calculated from the Henderson-Hasselbalch equation.
7.2 = 6.8 + log {[HPO4-2]/[H2PO4-]}, which means that
[HPO4-2]/[H2PO4-] = 2.5.
The sum of [HPO4-2] + [H2PO4-] = 100 mM and [HPO4-2]/[H2PO4-] = 2.5.
Therefore, [HPO4-2] = 71.4 mM and [H2PO4-] = 28.6 mM
To prepare the buffer
o Take 200 ml of 0.5 M H3PO4.
-
o Add 200 ml of 0.5 M NaOH to convert all the H3PO4 to H2PO4 .
-2
o Add 142.8 ml 0f 0.5 M NaOH to make 71.4 mM HPO4 .
o Add water to 1000 ml.

2. What is the final pH of a solution made by mixing 100 ml of 0.05 M acetic acid and 100 ml of
0.1 M sodium acetate? Assume the pKa for acetic acid is 4.76

Answer:

100 ml of 0.05 M acetic acid = 5 mmol.

100 ml of 0.1 M sodium acetate = 10 mmol.
Using the Henderson-Hasselbalch equation
pH = pKa + log{[acetate]/[acetic acid]}.
pH = 4.76 + log{[10]/[5]}.
pH = 5.06

3. Describe the preparation of 1000 ml of a 0.2 M acetate buffer pH 5. Assume the pKa of acetic
acid is 4.76.

Answer:

Acetic acid + acetate = 0.2 M

Using the Henderson-Hasselbalch equation, pH = pKa + log{[acetate]/[acetic acid]}.
5.0 = 4.76 + log{[acetate]/[acetic acid]}.
[acetate]/[acetic acid] = 1.74.
Therefore, [acetate] = 0.126 M; and [acetic acid] = 0.074 M.
To prepare the buffer
Take 800 ml of water and add 0.2 mole of acetic acid.
Add 126 ml of 1.0 M NaOH to produce 0.126M sodium acetate.
 Add water to 1000 ml.

4. For a solution that is 0.08 M K2HPO4 and 0.12 M KH2PO4, calculate the concentration of
H3PO4, H2PO4-, HPO4-2, PO-3; H+, OH-, and K+. Use the pKas given above.

Answer:

[H2PO4-] = 0.12 M (the initial value).

[HPO4-2] = 0.08 M (the initial value).
pH = 6.8 + log {[0.08]/[0.12]} = 6.62.
[H+] = 2.4 x 10-7 M.
[OH-] = 1 x 10-14/2.4 x 10-7 = 4.17 x 10-8.
For H3PO4. pH = pKa + log{[H2PO4-]/[H3PO4]}; 6.62 = 2.2 + log{[H2PO4-]/[H3PO4]};
[H2PO4-]/[H3PO4] = 2.63 x 104; Therefore, [H3PO4] = 4.56 x 10-6 M.
For PO4-3. pH = pKa + log{[PO4-3]/[HPO4-2]}; 6.62 = 12.4 + log{[PO4-3]/[HPO4-2]}; [PO4-
3
]/[HPO4-2] = 1.66 x 10-6; Therefore, [H3PO4] = 1.32 x 10-7 M.
K+ = 0.12 M + 2x 0.08 M = 0.28 M.