CH 4, Review

1
Acids and Bases: Arrhenius Definition
▪ An acid is a substance that dissociates in
water to yield H3O+.
▪ A base is a substance that dissociates in
water to yield OH–.
▪ This explains why all neutralization
reactions between strong acids and bases
and have similar heats of reaction:
H+(aq) + OH–(aq) → H2O(l) H0 = -57 kJ/mol

3
 Acids and Bases: Arrhenius Definition
Arrhenius acid is a substance that produces H+ (H3O+) in water.

Arrhenius base is a substance that produces OH- in water.

Can something be an acid/base if its not soluble in water?

Brønsted and Lowry proposed a more general definition…
 Brønsted-Lowry Acids
Bronsted-lowry Acids- able to donate a proton in the form of hydrogen
ions – protons – H+.
AH A - + H+
Typically :
• have a sour taste (vinegar-acetic acid, lemons-citric acid)

• change the color of litmus from blue to red.

• react with carbonates to produce CO2.

H3CCOOH(aq) + NaHCO3(s) NaOOCCH3(aq) + CO2(g) + H2O(l)
 Brønsted-Lowry Bases
Bronsted-lowry Base- able to accept a proton in the form of hydrogen
ions – protons – H+.
B- + H+ BH
Typically :
• have a lone pair of electrons.

• have a bitter taste (antacids-Mg(OH2)).

• change the color of litmus from red to blue.

• feel slippery (turns your cells and fat into soap!).

 Brønsted-Lowry Acid/Base
Bronsted-lowry Acids- able to donate a proton in
the form of hydrogen ions – protons – H+.

AH A- + H+

Bronsted-lowry Base- able to accept a proton in

the form of hydrogen ions – protons – H+. Typically
has a lone pair.

B- + H+ BH
 Acid-Base Neutralization
acid + base salt + water

HCl (aq) + NaOH (aq) NaCl (aq) + H2O

H+ + Cl- + Na+ + OH- Na+ + Cl- + H2O

H+ + OH- H2O
 Acid-Base Neutralization
acid + base salt + water + CO2

2HCl (aq) + Na2CO3 (aq) 2NaCl (aq) + H2O +CO2

2H+ + 2Cl- + 2Na+ + CO32- 2Na+ + 2Cl- + H2O + CO2

2H+ + CO32- H2O + CO2
 Note on: Acids in Water
A strong acid like HCl will dissociate:
HCl → Cl- + H+
H+ does not freely exist in water.
In water:
hydronium ion ≈ hydrogen ion
H3O+ ≈ H+
[H+] is often used as an
abbreviation for [H3O+]. However,
H+ does not exist in water.

10
 Hydronium Ion

AH A- + H +

Chemical Reality:

HCl + H2O → Cl- + H3O+

Chemical Bookkeeping:
HCl → Cl- + H+
H3O+ ≈ H+ 11
 Brønsted–Lowry acid–base theory
Brønsted–Lowry Acids- able to donate protons in the form of
hydrogen ions – protons – H+.
AH A- + H +
HCl → Cl- + H+
C2H3O2H → C2H3O2- + H+

Brønsted–Lowry Base- able to accept protons in the form of

hydrogen ions or H+.
B- + H+ BH
NH3 + H+ → NH4+

HO- + H+ → H2O
13
 Conjugate Acid-Base Pairs

In the reaction of HF and H2O,

• HF/F− is one conjugate acid-base pair.
• H2O/H3O+ is the other conjugate acid-base pair.
• Each pair is related by a loss and gain of H+.
16
 Conjugate Acid-Base Pairs

In the reaction of NH3 and H2O,

• one conjugate acid-base pair is NH3/NH4+
• the other conjugate acid-base is H2O/H3O+.

17
 Amphiprotic Species
Amphiprotic or amphoteric- species that can gain or lose a
proton under the appropriate conditions

Acid Base

Base Acid

Water acts as an acid and a base!

20
 Water Acid-Base Reaction
+ -
H O + H O [H O H ] + H O
H H H

acid base conjugate conjugate

acid base

H2O + H2O H3O+ + OH- H3O+ ≈ H+

H2O(l) H+(aq) + OH-(aq)
21
 Autoionization of Water
▪ Even very pure water exhibits a very small residual
conductance. Water is a very weak electrolyte.
▪ The dissociation of a pure liquid is known as
autoionization (or self-ionization).
▪ The dissociation is reversible.
H2O(l) H+(aq) + OH-(aq)

Kc = [H+][OH-] = Kw
Kw is called the ion-product constant of water.
At 250C
Kw = [H+][OH-] = 1.0 x 10-14 22
 Acidic, Basic, and Neutral Solutions
Kw = [H+][OH-] = 1.0 x 10-14
▪ In a neutral solution
[H + ] = [OH − ] = 1.0 10 −14 = 1.0 10 −7 M

▪ In an acidic solution
[H]  1.0 10 −7 M; [OH − ]  1.0 10 −7 M

▪ In a basic solution
[H + ]  1.0 10 −7 M; [OH − ]  1.0 10 −7 M

▪ Note that at all times [H+] = [OH-] neutral

[H + ][OH − ] = K w = 1.0 10 −14 [H+] > [OH-] acidic
[H+] < [OH-] basic
23
Example

The concentration of OH- ions in a certain household ammonia

cleaning solution is 0.0025 M. Calculate the concentration of
H+ ions. Is the solution acidic or basic?

Kw = [H+][OH-] = 1.0 x 10-14

[OH-] = 0.0025 M
-14
+ K w 1.0 × 10 -12
[H ] = -
= = 4.0 × 10 M
[OH ] 0.0025

[H+] < [OH-]

The solution is basic. But how basic? 24
 pH Scale
pH = -log [H+]

Solution Is At 250C
neutral [H+] = [OH-] [H+] = 1.0 x 10-7 pH = 7
acidic [H+] > [OH-] [H+] > 1.0 x 10-7 pH < 7
basic [H+] < [OH-] [H+] < 1.0 x 10-7 pH > 7

pH [H+]

26
pH = -log [H+]

27
 pOH Scale
▪ In the analogy to the pH scale, we can define a
pOH-scale for the concentration [OH–].
Kw = [H+][OH-] = 1.0 x 10-14

-log [H+] – log [OH-] = 14 pOH = -log [OH-]

pH + pOH = 14

▪ It is important to remember that:

This relation is valid only at 25°C!
At other temperatures, the autoionization constant
of water and, therefore, the (pH+pOH) are different.
28
 Relevant Equations Summary
1) Kw = [H+][OH-] = 1.0 x 10-14

2) pH = -log [H+]

3) pOH = -log [OH]

4) pH + pOH = 14

If you know [H+],

you can calculate pH using equation 2.
you can calculate [OH-] using equation 1 (or 2+4+3)
you can calculate pOH using equation 1+3 (or 2+4)
29
Example
The concentration of H+ ions in a bottle of table wine was
3.2 x 10-4 M right after the cork was removed. Only half of the
wine was consumed. The other half, after it had been standing
open to the air for a month, was found to have a hydrogen ion
concentration equal to 1.0 x 10-3 M. Calculate the pH of the
wine on these two occasions.
pH = -log [H+]
At time 0:
[H+] = 3.2 x 10-4 M
pH = -log (3.2 x 10-4) = 3.49
At time 1 month:
[H+] = 1.0 x 10-3 M
pH = -log (1.0 x 10-3 ) = 3.00
30
Example
The pH of rainwater collected in a certain region of the
northeastern United States on a particular day was 4.82.
Calculate the H+ ion concentration of the rainwater.

pH = -log [H+] What is the pOH?

4.82 = -log [H+] pH + pOH = 14

-4.82 = log [H+] pOH = 14 - pH

10-4.82 = 10log [H+] pOH = 14 - 4.82

1.5 x 10-5 M = [H+] pOH = 9.18

31
CH 4, Review

Strong vs. weak acids/bases

Acid dissociation constant (Ka)
Base dissociation constant (Kb)
Ka and Kb
Percent Ionization
32
Effect of Structure on Acidity/Basisity
 Strong and Weak Acids
• Acids can be either strong electrolytes or weak electrolytes.
• Strong acids completely break up into their ions:
HCl (aq) → H+(aq) + Cl-(aq)

• Weak acids only partially break up into their ions:

HC2H3O2  H+ (aq) + C2H3O2-(aq)
Weak acids don’t completely dissociate, they go to equilibrium!

▪ The extent of dissociation has a dramatic effect on the

reactivity of acids.
33
 Strong and Weak Acids
▪ 6 Strong acids:
▪ The hydrohalic acids (HCl, HBr, and HI).
▪ Oxoacids in which the number of O atoms exceeds the
number of ionizable protons by two or more, for example,
HNO3, H2SO4, HClO4.
▪ Weak acids:
▪ Any H+ donor that is not those six.
▪ Hydrofluoric acid (HF).
▪ Oxoacids in which the number of O atoms equals or exceeds
by one the number of ionizable protons, for example, HNO2,
H2SO3, H4SiO4.
▪ Acids in which H is not bonded to O or halogen, such as H2S,
HCN.
▪ Carboxylic acids, such as CH3COOH, C6H5COOH. 34
 Strong and Weak Acids
Strong Acids are strong electrolytes

HCl(aq) H+(aq) + Cl-(aq)

HNO3-(aq) H+(aq) + NO32-(aq)
HClO4(aq) H+(aq) + ClO4-(aq)
H2SO4(aq) H+(aq) + SO4-(aq)
Weak Acids are weak electrolytes

HF(aq) H+(aq) + F-(aq)

HNO2(aq) H+(aq) + NO2-(aq)
HSO4-(aq) H+(aq) + SO42-(aq)
H2O(l) H+(aq) + OH-(aq) 35
 Strong Acid (HCl) Weak Acid (HF)
HCl(aq) H+(aq) + Cl-(aq) HF(aq) H+(aq) + F-(aq)
HCl(aq) + H2O(l) H3O+(aq) + Cl-(aq) HF(aq) + H2O(l) H3O+(aq) + F-(aq)

36
 Strong and Weak Bases
• Bases can be either strong electrolytes or weak electrolytes.
• Strong bases completely break up into their ions:
NaOH (aq) → Na+(aq) + OH-(aq)

• Weak bases only partially break up into their ions:

NH3 (aq) + H2O(l)  NH4+ (aq) + OH-(aq)
Weak bases don’t completely dissociate, they go to equilibrium!

▪ The extent of dissociation has a dramatic effect on the reactivity of

bases.

38
 Strong and Weak Bases
▪ 6 Strong bases:
▪ MOH, where M = Na, K, Li.
▪ M(OH)2, where M = Ca, Sr, Ba.

▪ Weak bases:
▪ Any H+ acceptor that is not those six.
▪ Other metal hydroxides, Mg(OH)2, Zn(OH)2, Co(OH)2, La(OH)3.
▪ Ammonia (NH3).
▪ Amines, such as CH3NH2, (CH3)2NH, C5H5N.

39
 Strong and Weak Bases
Strong Bases are strong electrolytes

NaOH(s) Na+(aq) + OH-(aq)

KOH(s) K+(aq) + OH-(aq)

Ba(OH)2(s) Ba2+(aq) + 2OH-(aq)

Weak Bases are weak electrolytes

NH3(aq) + H2O(l) NH4+(aq) + OH-(aq)

C5H5N(aq) + H2O(l) C5H5NH+(aq) + OH-(aq)
CO32-(aq) + H2O(l) CO3H-(aq) + OH-(aq)
40
 Strong and Weak Acids/Bases
Strong Acids Strong Bases
1. HClO4
Hydroxides of group 1 and 2
2. H2SO4 metals: M(OH)1 or 2
3. HI (excluding Be, Mg, Rb, Cs)
4. HBr
5. HCl
6. HNO3
Everything else that is a
proton donor or acceptor is
a weak acid/base. 41
Example pH = -log [H+]
Calculate the pH of a pOH = -log [OH]
(a) 1.0 x 10-3 M HCl solution pH + pOH = 14
?
Strong or
HCl(aq) H+(aq) + Cl-(aq)
weak acid?
1.0 x 10-3 M 1.0 x 10-3 M
pH = -log (1.0 x 10-3)
pH = 3.00

(b) 0.020 M Ba(OH)2 solution

?
Strong or Ba(OH)2(aq) 2OH-(aq) + Ba2+(aq)
weak base?
0.02 M 0.04 M

[OH-] = 0.040 M
pH = 14.00 – pOH = 12.60
pOH = -log 0.040 = 1.40 42
 Relative Strength of Acid-Base Pairs

AH + B- A- + BH
acid base conjugate conjugate
base acid
Acids/Bases Conjugate Bases/acids
Very Strong Very Weak
Strong Weak
Weak Strong
Very Weak Very Strong
_______________________________________
• Strong acids lose protons readily ➔ weak conjugate bases;

• Weak acids do not lose protons readily ➔ strong conjugate bases.

43
Knowing relative strength allows us to:
Directly calc the pH of solution (if it is a strong acid/base).
Predict if the equilibrium will favor reactants or products. 44
Acids: How Strong? How Weak?

HA (aq) H+ (aq) + A- (aq)

Since the system is at equilibrium, we

can write an equilibrium expression.

[H+][A-]
Ka =
[HA]

Ka is the acid ionization constant

46
 Acids: How Strong? How Weak?
[H+][A-]
Ka =
[HA]

Ka is the acid ionization constant

HA (aq) H+ (aq) + A- (aq)

Stronger, Large Ka

Weaker acid, Smaller Ka

The value of Ka is very large for

strong acids and moderate or
acid
Ka small for weak acids.
strength 47
48
Example
Calculate the pH of a 0.036 M HNO2 (Ka = 4.5 x 10-4) solution:

Strong or
HNO2(aq) H+(aq) + NO2-(aq)
weak acid?

[HNO2] = 0.036 M

HNO2(aq) H+(aq) + NO-2 (aq)

Initial (M): 0.036 0.00 0.00
Change (M): -x +x +x
Equilibrium (M): 0.036 - x x x
49
Example
HNO2(aq) H+(aq) + NO-2 (aq)
Initial (M): 0.036 0.00 0.00
Change (M): -x +x +x
Equilibrium (M): 0.036 - x x x

x 2 + 4.5 × 10-4 x - 1.62 × 10-5 = 0

[H+] = 3.8 x 10-3 M
-4.5 × 10-4 ± ( 4.5 × 10-4 ) - 4(1)(-1.62 × 10-5 )
2

x= pH = -log (3.8 x 10-3 )

2(1)
-3 -3
= 2.42
= 3.8 × 10 M or -4.3 × 10 M

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OfJ6ArU81KE 50
Bases: How Strong? How Weak?
B-(aq) + H2O(l) BH(aq) + OH-(aq)

Since the system is at equilibrium, we can write

an equilibrium expression.

[BH][OH-]
Kb =
[B-]

Kb is the base ionization constant

55
Bases: How Strong? How Weak?
[BH][OH-]
Kb =
[B-]

Kb is the base ionization constant

B-(aq) + H2O(l) BH(aq) + OH-(aq)

Strong base, Larger Kb

Weaker base, Smaller Kb

base
Kb
strength
56
 Bases: How Strong? How Weak?
Base Formula Kb Conj. Acid
Ethylamine C2H5NH2 5.610-4 C2H5NH3+
Base strength Methylamine CH3NH2 4.410-4 CH3NH3+
Ammonia NH3 1.810-5 NH4+
Pyridine 1.710-9 C5H5NH+

Aniline C6H5NH2 3.810-10 C6H5NH3+

H
Caffeine 5.310-14 +

Solve weak base problems like weak acids

except solve for [OH-] instead of [H+]. 57
Example
What is the pH of a 0.40 M NH3 solution (Kb = 1.810-5)?

NH3(aq) + H2O(l) NH4+(aq) + OH-(aq)

Kb = 1.810-5

[NH3]0 = 0.40 M

pH = ?

1) We have the information to find OH.

2) We can use OH to find pH.

58
Example
What is the pH of a 0.40 M NH3 solution (Kb = 1.810-5)?
Find OH-
NH3(aq) + H2O(l) NH4+(aq) + OH-(aq)
Kb = 1.810-5
[NH3]0 = 0.40 M

NH3(aq) + H2O (l) NH +4 (aq) + OH-(aq)

Initial (M): 0.40 0.00 0.00
Change (M): -x +x +x
Equilibrium (M): 0.40 - x x x
but…
[NH3]0
If > 400
Kb
we can neglect x 59
Example
What is the pH of a 0.40 M NH3 solution (Kb = 1.810-5)?
Find OH-
NH3(aq) + H2O(l) NH4+(aq) + OH-(aq)
Kb = 1.810-5
[NH3]0 = 0.40 M

NH3(aq) + H2O (l) NH +4 (aq) + OH-(aq)

Initial (M): 0.40 0.00 0.00
Change (M): -x +x +x
Equilibrium (M): 0.40 - x x x
2 2
x x
1.8 × 10-5 = 
0.40 - x 0.40 [OH-] = 2.7 x 10-3 M
x 2 = 7.2  10−6
x = 2.7  10−3 M 60
Example
What is the pH of a 0.40 M NH3 solution (Kb = 1.810-5)?
Find pH
NH3(aq) + H2O(l) NH4+(aq) + OH-(aq)

[OH-] = 2.7 x 10-3 M

pH + pOH = 14

pOH = -log (2.7 x 10-3 ) = 2.57

pH + pOH = 14.00
pH + 2.57 = 14.00

pH = 11.43
61
 Ka and Kb
HA(aq) H+(aq) + A-(aq) A-(aq) + H2O(l) AH(aq) + OH-(aq)

[H+][A-] [AH][OH-]
Ka = Kb =
[HA] [A-]

For a acid-base conjugate pair in water:

HA (aq) H+ (aq) + A- (aq) Ka

A- (aq) + H2O (l) OH- (aq) + HA (aq) Kb

H2O (l) H+ (aq) + OH- (aq) Kw

KaKb = Kw
63
 Kw, Ka and Kb Summary

[H+][A-] [AH][OH-] Kw = [H+][OH-]

Ka = Kb =
[HA] [A-] Kw = 1 x 10-14

Weak Acid and Its Conjugate Base

Kw Kw
KaKb = Kw Ka = Kb =
Kb Ka

64
65
The Ka for formic acid (HCOOH) is 1.7x10-4. What
is Kb for HCOO-?
Kw = 1.0x10-14
KaKb = Kw

Kw
Kb =
Ka

Kb = 1.0x10-14
1.7x10-4

Kb = 5.9 x10-11

66
CH 4, Review

67
 Common Ion Effect
The common ion effect is the shift in equilibrium caused by the
addition of a compound having an ion in common with the
dissolved substance. Specific case of Le Chatelier’s
Principle

CH3COOH (aq) H+ (aq) + CH3COO- (aq)

Then we add some CH3COONa (a strong electrolyte).
common
CH3COONa (s) Na+ (aq) + CH3COO-(aq) ion

The presence of a common ion suppresses the ionization of a weak

acid or a weak base. It will influence the pH.

What is the pH if I add 0.30 M CH3COONa?

69
Example
(a) Calculate the pH of a 0.20 M CH3COOH solution. (2.72)
(b) What is the pH of a solution containing both 0.20 M CH3COOH
and 0.30 M CH3COONa? The Ka of CH3COOH is 1.8 x 10-5.
0.20 M ?
CH3COOH(aq) H+(aq) + CH3COO-(aq)

CH3COONa(aq) → Na+(aq) + CH3COO-(aq)

0.30 M 0.30 M

70
Example
(a) Calculate the pH of a 0.20 M CH3COOH solution. (2.72)
(b) What is the pH of a solution containing both 0.20 M CH3COOH
and 0.30 M CH3COONa? The Ka of CH3COOH is 1.8 x 10-5.

CH3COOH(aq) H+(aq) + CH3COO-(aq)

Initial (M): 0.20 0 0.30

Change (M): -x +x +x
Equilibrium (M): 0.20-x x 0.30+x

(x)(0.30+x) (x)(0.30)
+
[H ][CH 3COO ]- 1.8 × 10-5 = 
Ka = [0.2] 0.20-x 0.20
[CH3COOH] If > 400
Ka x = [H+] = 1.2 x 10-5 M
(x)(0.30+x)
1.8 × 10-5 = we can neglect x
0.20-x -log (1.2 x 10-5 ) = 4.92

71
Example
(a) Calculate the pH of a 0.20 M CH3COOH solution. (2.72)
(b) What is the pH of a solution containing both 0.20 M CH3COOH
and 0.30 M CH3COONa? The Ka of CH3COOH is 1.8 x 10-5. (4.92)

CH3COOH (aq) H+ (aq) + CH3COO- (aq)

Then we add some CH3COONa (a strong electrolyte).
common
CH3COONa (s) Na+ (aq) + CH3COO-(aq) ion

H+ pH

There is an easier way to calculate the

pH for a common ion solution! 72
 Henderson-Hasselbach Equation
Consider mixture of weak acid HA and salt NaA.
[H+][A-] HA (aq) H+ (aq) + A- (aq)
Ka =
[HA]
NaA (s) Na+ (aq) + A- (aq)
Ka [HA]
[H+] =
[A-] Henderson-Hasselbalch
[HA] equation
-log [H+] = -log Ka - log
[A-] [conjugate base]
pH = pKa + log
[A -] [acid]
-log [H+] = -log Ka + log
[HA]
[A-]
pH = pKa + log pKa = -log Ka
[HA]
Assumption: that the [A-] from NaA >> [A-] from HA (x is negligible)
Example
(a) Calculate the pH of a 0.20 M CH3COOH solution. (2.72)
(b) What is the pH of a solution containing both 0.20 M CH3COOH
and 0.30 M CH3COONa? The Ka of CH3COOH is 1.8 x 10-5. (4.92)

CH3COOH (aq) H+ (aq) + CH3COO- (aq)

Then we add some CH3COONa (a strong electrolyte).

CH3COONa (s) Na+ (aq) + CH3COO-(aq)

[A-]
pH = pKa + log
[HA]

[0.30]
pH = -log (1.8 x 10-5) + log = 4.92
[0.20]
74
 Buffer Solutions
A buffer solution consists of:
1. A weak acid (or weak base) HA (or B-)
and
2. The salt of the weak conjugate base (or weak acid)
A - (or BH)
Both must be present!

• If there is a high concentration of A- and HA, the buffer solution

has the ability to resist changes in pH upon the addition of small
amounts of either strong acids or bases.

• The presence of a conjugate acid-base pair of a weak acid “ties

up” small amounts of H+ or OH– ions added to the solution.

75
 Crumple Zones
Sacrificial portion of the car that protects the passengers.

“They don’t make em’ like they use to!”

2000 Chevrolet Malibu vs. 1959 Chevrolet Bel Air (30 mph)

76
Buffer- the chemical equivalent to a crumple zone.
Buffer Solutions

78
 Buffer Solutions
Adding HCl:
Water
vs.
Buffer w/
1.0 M CH3COOH
1.0 M CH3COONa

In Water
If you add enough HCl, all of the
HCl(aq) H+(aq) + Cl-(aq) CH3COO- will be consumed.
HCl ⎯→ H+ + Cl- Wins!
In Buffer
H+ (aq) + CH3COO- (aq) CH3COOH (aq)
79
 Crumple Zones

more
H+ or OH- H+ or OH-

H+ OH-

81
 Buffer Capacity
▪ Buffer capacity is its ability to resist pH changes.
▪ The more concentrated the components of a buffer, the
greater the buffer capacity.
▪ A buffer also has the highest capacity when the component
concentrations are equal:
[A − ]
pH = pK a + log = pK a + log1 = pK a
[HA]
▪ A buffer whose pH is equal to or near the pKa (pH = pKa) of
its acid component has the highest buffer capacity.
▪ The addition of strong acid or base weakens the buffer
capacity.
82
Example
(a) Calculate the pH of a buffer system containing 1.0 M CH3COOH
and 1.0 M CH3COONa. The Ka of CH3COOH is 1.8 x 10-5 (Table
15.3).

(b) What is the pH of the buffer system after the addition of 0.10
mole of gaseous HCl to 1.0 L of the solution? Assume that the
volume of the solution does not change when the HCl is added.

83
Example
(a) Calculate the pH of a buffer system containing 1.0 M CH3COOH
and 1.0 M CH3COONa. The Ka of CH3COOH is 1.8 x 10-5 (Table
15.3).
[A-]
pH = pKa + log pKa = -log Ka
[HA]

[1.0]
pH = -log (1.8 x 10-5) + log = 4.74
[1.0]

84
Example
(a) Calculate the pH of a buffer system containing 1.0 M CH3COOH
and 1.0 M CH3COONa. The Ka of CH3COOH is 1.8 x 10-5 (Table
15.3). (4.74)
(b) What is the pH of the buffer system after the addition of 0.10
mole of gaseous HCl to 1.0 L of the solution?
0.10 M

0.10 M

CH3COO-(aq) + H+(aq) → CH3COOH(aq)

Initial (mol): 1.0 0.10 1.0
Change (mol): -0.10 -0.10 +0.10
Final (mol): 0.90 0 1.1
[0.9]
pH = -log (1.8 x 10-5) + log = 4.66 85
[1.1]
Preparing a Buffer Solution
▪ Choose a target pH. Depends on what
you want to study.
▪ Choose the appropriate choice of a
weak acid and conjugate base.
▪ Most effective buffer when the pKa is
closest to the target pH.
Either:
▪ Mix the Acid/salt in the appropriate
ratio.
or
▪ The acid and its salt are mixed in a 1 to
1 ratio.
▪ The pH is then adjusted by adding a
strong acid or base until it equals your
target pH.
Biochem Relevant Buffers

89
 Relevant Equations Summary
1) Kw = [H+][OH-] = 1.0 x 10-14 B-(aq) + H2O(l) BH(aq) + OH-(aq)

2) pH = -log [H+] [BH][OH-]

Kb =
3) pOH = -log [OH] [B-]

4) pH + pOH = 14 HA(aq) H+(aq) + A-(aq)

[H+][A-]
5) KaKb = Kw Ka =
[HA]

Henderson-Hasselbalch equation
HA (aq) H+ (aq) + A- (aq)
NaA (s) Na+ (aq) + A- (aq)
[A-]
pH = pKa + log [HA]

Assumption: that the [A-] from NaA >> [A-] from HA 90