SHS

General Chemistry 2
Quarter 4 - Week 4
Module 4: pH of Buffer
Solutions

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General Chemistry 2
Grade 11/12: Quarter 4: Week 4 - Module 4 – pH of Buffer Solutions
First Edition, 2021

Copyright © 2021
La Union Schools Division
Region I

All rights reserved. No part of this module may be reproduced in any form
without written permission from the copyright owners.

Development Team of the Module

Author: ELVIRA A. DELMENDO, MT- II

Editor: SDO La Union, Learning Resource Quality Assurance Team

Illustrator: Ernesto F. Ramos Jr., P II

Management Team:

Atty. Donato D. Balderas, Jr.

Schools Division Superintendent

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Assistant Schools Division Superintendent

German E. Flora, Ph.D, CID Chief

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Rominel S. Sobremonte, Ed.D, EPS in Charge of Science

Michael Jason D. Morales, PDO II

Claire P. Toluyen, Librarian II

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 General Chemistry 2
Quarter 4: Week 4
Module 4 – ph of Buffer Solutions

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 TARGET

Buffered solutions or merely “buffers” are solutions that resist a change

in pH upon addition of small amounts of acid. The human blood is a common
example with a pH buffered at about 7.4
In this module, let us focus on the concepts specified below and be ready to
apply or develop your mathematical skills in solving simple problems. Moreover,
you are provided with simple activities and exercises.
After going through this learning material, you are expected to:

1. Describe how a buffer solution maintains its pH (STEM_GC11ABIVf-g-

160)
2. Calculate the pH of a buffer solution using the Henderson-Hasselbalch
equation (STEM_GC11ABIVf-g-161)

Ahhaa!!! Before you proceed to the lesson proper, you need to find out how much you know about the topic a

PRE-TEST
Perform the calculations of the given problem in a separate sheet. The rubrics in
giving points are as follows: (5 points each) 1 point for the given/required, 2
points for the solution, and 2 points for the correct answer).
PROBLEM 1.
What is the pH of a buffer that is 0.12 M HNO2 and 0.16 M NaNO2 and the pKa is
3.35?

Take note: Just take a try in solving the problems. Don’t worry if you cannot solve it correctly at this point, th

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 JUMPSTART

Buffers resist changes in pH because they contain both an acidic species to

neutralize OH- ions and a basic one to neutralize H+ ions.

Here are some important terms to review:

 Acidic - having a pH less than 7
 Alkaline - having a pH greater than 7; basic
 Buffer - a solution composed of a weak acid and its conjugate base that
can be used to stabilize the pH of a solution
 pH is equal to the negative logarithm of the concentration of H+ ions in
solution: pH = – log[H+].
 The Henderson–Hasselbalch equation was developed independently by
the American biological chemist L. J. Henderson and the Swedish
physiologist K. A. Hasselbalch, for relating the pH to the bicarbonate
buffer system of the blood. In its general form, the Henderson–
Hasselbalch equation is a useful expression for buffer calculations.

 The pKa is a quantitative measure of the strength of an acid in

solution; a weak acid has a pKa value in the approximate range -2 to
12 in water and a strong acid has a pKa value of less than about -2.

- pKa value is one method used to indicate the strength of an acid.

- It is the negative log of the acid dissociation constant or Ka value.
- A lower pKa value indicate a stronger acid. That is, the lower value
indicates the acid more fully dissociates in water

e you ready to find out how to calculate problems involving the pH of a buffer solution using the Henderson- Hasselbalch eq

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 DISCOVER

It seems difficult and complicated to solve problems involving the pH of a buffer solution using the Henderso

FORMULA IN CALCULATING pH OF A BUFFER SOLUTION USING

THE HENDERSON- HASSELBALCH EQUATION:

The Henderson–Hasselbalch equation mathematically connects the measurable pH

of a solution with the pK a (which is equal to -log K a) of the acid. The equation is also
useful for estimating the pH of a buffer solution and finding the equilibrium pH in
an acid-base reaction. The equation can be derived from the formula of pK a for a
weak acid or buffer. The balanced equation for an acid dissociation is:

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Where:

 pH = -log₁ ₀ (H);
 Ka - acid dissociation constant;

 [HA] - concentration of the acid; proton donor

 [A⁻ ] - concentration of conjugate base; proton acceptor

 pKa = -log₁ ₀ (Ka).

EXPLORE

DIRECTIONS: Let’s read and analyze the given problems below. Find out
how we come up with the correct answer.
Problem #2.
A mixture of 0.20 M acetic acid and 0.30 M sodium acetate is given.
Calculate the pH of the medium if the pKA of the acetic acid is 4.76.
Given:
The concentration of the acetic acid (proton donor) = 0.20 M
The concentration of the acetate ion (proton acceptor) = 0.30 M
The pKa of acetic acid = 4.76

Required: pH

Formula: Proton acceptor

Proton donor

Solution:
pH = 4.76 + log (0.30)
(0.20)
= 4.76 + 0.18
pH = 4.94

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Problem #3

In an acidic solution with a pH of 3.4, 78% of the acid is ionized. What is the
pKa of the acid?
Given:
pH = ?
What is the A- or the proton acceptor or the base? ANSWER: 0.78
What is the HA or the proton donor or the acid? ANSWER: 100%
less 78% will give
you 22% or 0.22

What is being asked? ANSWER: pKa

Solution:
pH = pKa + log (base)
(acid)
3.4 = pKa + log (0.78)
(0.22)
3.4 = pKa + 0.55
pKa= ? ANSWER: 2.85

Problem #4

What is the pH of a buffer solution that is .50 M in NH3 and .20 M in NH4Cl

Hint: Identify the acid and base. Since the given is pKb instead of pKa, solve the
pKa by subtracting the given pKb from 14. Because pKa plus pKb is equal to 14.
So, 14 minus 4.75 will give you 9.25. Thus, your pKa is 9.25.

with 4.75 pKb?

Use this formula,

And try to solve.

If your answer is 9.65, your answer is CORRECT! Congratulations! You are
now ready to take the exercise problems under GAUGE part, independently!
Good luck!
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 DEEPEN

Let us apply the concepts learned in this module. How does a buffer solution maintain the blood pH?

Maintaining a constant blood pH is critical for the proper functioning of our

body. The buffer that maintains the pH of human blood involves a carbonic acid -
bicarbonate ion.

Source: https://www.khanacademy.org/test-prep/mcat/chemical-processes/acid-base-equilibria/a/chemistry-of-
buffers-and-buffers-in-blood

When any acidic substance enters the bloodstream, the bicarbonate ions
neutralize the hydronium ions forming carbonic acid and water. Carbonic acid is
already a component of the buffering system of blood. Thus, hydronium ions are
removed, preventing the pH of blood from becoming acidic.

Chemical reaction diagram of bicarbonate ions neutralizing hydronium ions forming carbonic acid and water.

On the other hand, when a basic substance enters the bloodstream,

carbonic acid reacts with the hydroxide ions producing bicarbonate ions and water.
Bicarbonate ions are already a component of the buffer. In this manner, the
hydroxide ions are removed from blood, preventing the pH of blood from becoming
basic.

Source: https://www.khanacademy.org/test-prep/mcat/chemical-processes/acid-base-equilibria/a/chemistry-of-
buffers-and-buffers-in-blood

Based from the readings above and the results of your calculations on pH of buffer
solutions, will you describe how a buffer solution maintains its pH.

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 GAUGE

Directions: Calculate the pH of a buffer solution using the Henderson-

Hasselbalch equation. Answer the problems in a separate sheet. The rubrics in
giving points are as follows: (5 points each number) 1 point for the
given/required, 2 points for the solution, and 2 points for the correct answer).
1. Consider a buffer solution containing an acid with a pKa of 2.3 and an acid
concentration that is one-fourth the concentration of the conjugate base. What
is the pH of the solution?

2. Calculate the pH of a buffer containing 0.1 M sodium acetate and 0.2 M acetic

acid (pKa = 4.76).

3. The pH of the given solution of lactic acid and lactate is 4.30. Calculate the pKa
of lactic acid, when the concentration of lactic acid and lactate are 0.020 M and

0.073 M respectively.

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REFERENCES
Printed Materials:
Brown, Theodore L. Chemistry the Cental Science. (Person Education Asia. Pte.
Ltd, 2002).
Tabajura, Jr. Geronimo D. General Chemistry (JFS Publishing Services, Pasay City,
Philippines, 2016)

MELC
Zumdhal Steven S. and Zumdhal, Susan A. Chemistry an Atoms First Approach
International Edition.Brooks/Cole, Cengage Learning, 2012.

Website:
https://courses.lumenlearning.com/introchem/chapter/ph-buffers-acids-and-
bases/
https://www.omnicalculator.com/chemistry/buffer-ph#how-to-calculate-the-ph-
of-a-buffer-solution
https://www.easybiologyclass.com/how-to-calculate-ph-and-pka-of-a-buffer-
using-henderson-hasselbalch-equation/
https://int.search.myway.com/search/video.jhtml?n=7867fde2&p2=%5ECWW%5E
chr999%5ETTAB03%5E&pg=video&pn=1&ptb=42B5969F-6280-46BB-8CEF-
004757811FB4&qs=&searchfor=Buffer+solution+pH+calculations+video&si=&ss=s
ub&st=tab&tpr=sbt&trs=wtt&vidOrd=3&vidId=jdmHjFp_35I
https://www.thoughtco.com/what-is-pka-in-chemistry-605521
https://www.khanacademy.org/test-prep/mcat/chemical-processes/acid-base-
equilibria/a/chemistry-of-buffers-and-buffers-in-blood
https://socratic.org/questions/how-do-you-use-the-henderson-hasselbalch-to-
calculate-the-ph-of-a-buffer-solution

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