A buffer solution contains 1 mole of (NH4)2SO4 and 1 mole of NH4OH (Kb...
Buffer Solution and pH
A buffer solution is a solution that resists a change in pH when small amounts of acid or base are added to it. A buffer solution contains a weak acid and its conjugate base or a weak base and its conjugate acid.
Calculating pH of Buffer Solution
To calculate the pH of a buffer solution, we use the Henderson-Hasselbalch equation. The equation is as follows:
pH = pKa + log([A-]/[HA])
Where:
- pH is the pH of the buffer solution
- pKa is the dissociation constant of the weak acid
- [A-] is the concentration of the conjugate base
- [HA] is the concentration of the weak acid
Calculating pKa from Kb
To calculate pKa from Kb, we use the following equation:
Ka x Kb = Kw
Where:
- Ka is the dissociation constant of the weak acid
- Kb is the dissociation constant of the weak base
- Kw is the ion product constant of water, which is 1 x 10^-14
From this equation, we can solve for pKa:
pKa = -log(Ka)
Calculating pH of (NH4)2SO4 and NH4OH Buffer Solution
In this buffer solution, (NH4)2SO4 is the weak acid and NH4OH is the conjugate base. The dissociation constant of NH4OH, Kb, is 10^-5.
First, we need to calculate the pKa of NH4OH using the equation above.
Ka x Kb = Kw
Ka = Kw/Kb
Ka = 10^-14/10^-5
Ka = 10^-9
pKa = -log(10^-9)
pKa = 9
Next, we need to calculate the concentrations of NH4+ and SO4^2- ions in the buffer solution. Since we have 1 mole of (NH4)2SO4 and 1 mole of NH4OH, the concentration of NH4+ and SO4^2- ions are both 1 M.
Finally, we can use the Henderson-Hasselbalch equation to calculate the pH of the buffer solution.
pH = pKa + log([A-]/[HA])
pH = 9 + log(1/1)
pH = 9
Therefore, the pH of the (NH4)2SO4 and NH4OH buffer solution is 9.