Moles of NaOH to Create Buffer Solution pH=6 in 0.42M Ethanoic Acid

  • Chemistry
  • Thread starter stunner5000pt
  • Start date
  • Tags
    Dilution
In summary, the first and second questions involve calculating the number of moles of ethanoic acid and NaOH needed to create a buffer solution with a pH of 6. The Henderson-Hasselbach equation is used to determine the amount of NaOH needed, taking into account the concentration of the base and the acid. However, it is important to remember that a buffer solution consists of an acid and its conjugate base, in this case, acetic acid and ethanoate ions. Therefore, both substances must be present in the solution for the calculations to be accurate.
  • #1
stunner5000pt
1,461
2
Homework Statement
You need to make an acetate buffer with a bottle of 0.42 M of ethanoic acid and a bottle of 0.15 M of NaOH. The pKa of ethanoic acid is 4.76
a. how many moles of ethanoic acid are there in 100 mL of the 0.42 M solution
b. how many moles of NaOH must be added to the 100 mL 0.42 M ethanoic acid solution to create a buffer solution of ph = 6
c. what volume of NaOH should be added in mL to reach this pH
Relevant Equations
Henderson Hasselbach equation
the first and second seem easy...

a. how many moles of ethanoic acid are there in 100 mL of the 0.42 M solution
n = CV = (0.42 M)(0.1 L) = 0.042 mol

b. how many moles of NaOH must be added to the 100 mL 0.42 M ethanoic acid solution to create a buffer solution of ph = 6
this is where the Henderson Hasselbach comes in

[tex] pH = pK_{a} +\log \frac{[base]}{[acid]} [/tex]
[tex] 6 = 4.76 + \log \frac{[base]}{0.42} [/tex]
[tex] 1.24 = \log \frac{[base]}{0.42} [/tex]
[tex] 10^{1.24} \times 0.42 = [base] [/tex]
[tex] [base] = 3.32 M [/tex]
n(moles of NaOH) = 3.32M x 0.1 = 0.332 mol

c. what volume of NaOH should be added in mL to reach this pH

i know that I cannot use C1V2 = C2V2 because the amount of solution that we add would dilute the final concentration
How does one keep the concentration the same as the target 3.32 in question (b)?

Your guidance & help is always appreciated!

Thank you
 
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #2
Nope. NaOH is not the [base] in the HH equation.

What happens when you add NaOH to the solution of the acetic acid?
 
  • #3
Borek said:
Nope. NaOH is not the [base] in the HH equation.

What happens when you add NaOH to the solution of the acetic acid?
ahh... so the [base] is composed of ethanoate ions & NaOH?
But how do we separate these two from the calculation?
 
  • #4
Nope again.

Can you have both acetic acid and NaOH in the solution?

Looks like you are missing an important part of the buffer definition - it is an acid and its _conjugate_ base.
 
  • Like
Likes tech99

1. How do I calculate the number of moles of NaOH needed to create a buffer solution with a pH of 6 using 0.42M ethanoic acid?

To calculate the number of moles of NaOH needed, you will first need to determine the molar ratio between ethanoic acid and sodium hydroxide in the buffer solution. This can be done by using the Henderson-Hasselbalch equation: pH = pKa + log([base]/[acid]). Once you have determined the molar ratio, you can use the formula Moles of NaOH = Molarity of ethanoic acid x Volume of ethanoic acid x Molar ratio to calculate the number of moles of NaOH needed.

2. What is the concentration of ethanoic acid in the buffer solution?

The concentration of ethanoic acid in the buffer solution is 0.42M. This means that for every liter of solution, there are 0.42 moles of ethanoic acid.

3. Can I use any other base besides NaOH to create the buffer solution?

Yes, you can use any other base with a similar molar ratio to ethanoic acid to create the buffer solution. However, the calculations for the number of moles needed will vary depending on the molar ratio of the specific base.

4. How do I adjust the pH of the buffer solution if it is not at 6?

To adjust the pH of the buffer solution, you will need to add either more ethanoic acid or more base (such as NaOH) to change the molar ratio. This will shift the pH towards the desired value. It is important to note that the Henderson-Hasselbalch equation will need to be recalculated to determine the new molar ratio.

5. Is it necessary to use a buffer solution for a pH of 6?

It is not necessary to use a buffer solution for a pH of 6, but it can be beneficial in maintaining the pH at a stable level. A buffer solution is especially useful when working with solutions that are sensitive to changes in pH, such as biological samples. It helps to resist changes in pH when small amounts of acid or base are added to the solution.

Similar threads

  • Biology and Chemistry Homework Help
Replies
4
Views
1K
  • Biology and Chemistry Homework Help
Replies
23
Views
2K
  • Biology and Chemistry Homework Help
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • Biology and Chemistry Homework Help
Replies
1
Views
1K
  • Biology and Chemistry Homework Help
Replies
2
Views
1K
  • Biology and Chemistry Homework Help
Replies
7
Views
4K
  • Biology and Chemistry Homework Help
Replies
7
Views
3K
  • Biology and Chemistry Homework Help
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • Biology and Chemistry Homework Help
Replies
22
Views
6K
  • Biology and Chemistry Homework Help
Replies
20
Views
2K
Back
Top