Which acid is the best choice to create a buffer with ph = 3.19?

Question

Chemistry

Remington Wolf

9 March, 14:22

Which acid is the best choice to create a buffer with ph = 3.19?

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Answers (1)

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Kaitlyn Hutchinson · Answer 1

The best choice is hypochlorous acid nitrous acid (HNO2) because it has the nearest value of pK to the desired pH.

pKa of nitrous acid is 3.34

If we know pKa and pH values, we can calculate the required ratio of conjugate base (NO2⁻) to acid (HNO2) from the following equation:

pH=pKa + log (conc. of base) / (conc. of acid)

3.19=3.34 + log c (NO2⁻) / c (HNO2)

3.19 - 3.34 = log c (NO2⁻) / c (HNO2)

-0.15 = log c (NO2⁻) / c (HNO2)

c (NO2⁻) / c (HNO2) = 10⁰¹⁵ = 1.41