How Does Adding Sodium Citrate Affect the pH of a Citric Acid Solution?

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SUMMARY

The addition of sodium citrate to a 0.270 M citric acid solution significantly alters the pH. Initially, the pH of the citric acid solution is calculated to be 2.67 using an ICE table and the dissociation constant (pKa = 4.77). After adding sodium citrate to achieve a final concentration of 0.145 M for the citrate ion, the final pH is determined to be 4.50. This demonstrates the buffering effect of the citrate ion in the solution.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of acid-base equilibrium and pH calculations
  • Familiarity with ICE tables for equilibrium concentrations
  • Knowledge of dissociation constants (Ka and pKa)
  • Basic chemistry concepts related to weak acids and their conjugate bases
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the Henderson-Hasselbalch equation for buffer solutions
  • Learn about the effects of different concentrations of weak acids and their salts on pH
  • Explore the concept of buffer capacity and its practical applications
  • Investigate the role of sodium citrate in various biochemical applications
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Chemistry students, laboratory technicians, and professionals involved in biochemical research or formulation who need to understand pH adjustments in solutions.

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What is the pH change of a 0.270 M solution of citric acid (pKa = 4.77) if enough sodium citrate is added to make the final concentration of the common citrate ion 0.145 M?

Okay so first I did an ice-table using the equation:
citric acid + water <--> hydronium + citric ion
Using an inital concentration of 0.270 for citric acid and then just solving for x using the Ka value and I got pH = 2.67 (which is the initial pH).
Now I'm having a problem with how to find the final pH. I think you're supposed to set up another ice table but I'm not too sure what values are supposed to be my initial concentrations. Any help would be greatly appreciated!
 
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sam. said:
What is the pH change of a 0.270 M solution of citric acid (pKa = 4.77) if enough sodium citrate is added to make the final concentration of the common citrate ion 0.145 M?

Okay so first I did an ice-table using the equation:
citric acid + water <--> hydronium + citric ion
Using an inital concentration of 0.270 for citric acid and then just solving for x using the Ka value and I got pH = 2.67 (which is the initial pH).
Now I'm having a problem with how to find the final pH. I think you're supposed to set up another ice table but I'm not too sure what values are supposed to be my initial concentrations. Any help would be greatly appreciated!
HA + H2O <--> H3O+ + A-

[HA] = 0.270 - x
[H3O+] = x
[A-] = 0.145

[H3O+]*[A-]/[HA] = Ka = 10^(-4.77)

--> x*0.145/(0.270 - x) = 10^(-4.77)

--> x = 3.16*10^(-5) --> pH = 4.50
 

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