Need Help With Buffers: Test on Tuesday!

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SUMMARY

This discussion focuses on understanding buffer solutions and their pH calculations, specifically using the dissociation constant (Ka) of ethanoic acid and sodium ethanoate. The key equation for determining the hydrogen ion concentration in a buffer is [H+] = Ka * [acid] / [salt]. To calculate the pH of the buffer, the formula pH = -log[H+] is utilized. The user expresses confusion regarding the appropriate value of Ka to use from a chart for their upcoming test.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of buffer solutions and their role in pH stabilization
  • Familiarity with the dissociation constant (Ka) and its application
  • Knowledge of the relationship between acid and salt concentrations in buffer calculations
  • Basic logarithmic functions for pH calculations
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the concept of buffer capacity and its implications in chemical reactions
  • Learn how to calculate pH using the Henderson-Hasselbalch equation
  • Explore different types of buffer solutions and their components
  • Practice problems involving the calculation of pH for various buffer systems
USEFUL FOR

Chemistry students preparing for exams, educators teaching buffer solutions, and anyone seeking to deepen their understanding of acid-base chemistry.

STAR3URY
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Very Urgent: Need Help With Buffers!

I have a test coming up on Tuesday and I have no idea how to do buffers, I don't understand what Value of the Ka we are suppose to use from the chart. I get the equation a little bit: [H+]= Ka x moles HB/moles of B-

I am very lost please help!
 
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What? Your problem description and question are poor. What are your knowns and what are you unknowns?
 
ok... i'll try to help you out a bit...

you should know that buffers resist drastic change in pH.

basically, the H+ ion concentration in a buffer solution is:

Ka * [acid] / [salt]

or for an alkaline buffer

Kb * [alkali] / [salt][acid] would mean the concentration of the acid in mol/dm3

if you use ethanoic acid and sodium ethanoate as the buffer, then H+ concentration is

dissociation constant of ethanoic acid * concentration of ethanoic acid / concentration of sodium ethanoate

the question will usually ask you about the pH of the buffer. to get the pH:

pH = -lg [H+]
 

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