The pH of an aqueous solution containing 1 M benzoic acid (pKa = 4.20) and 1 M sodium benzoate is 4.5. The volume of benzoic acid solution in 300 mL of this buffer solution is mL. (given : log 2 = 0.3)
Answer
100
Solution
Acidic buffer (Henderson equation): pH = pKa + log [salt][acid]
Both solutions are 1 M ⇒ [salt][acid] = VsVa
4.5 = 4.2 + log VsVa ⇒ log VsVa = 0.3 = log 2 ⇒ Vs = 2Va
Va + Vs = 300 mL ⇒ 3Va = 300 mL
∴ Va = 100 mL
Answer: 100