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Ch.18 - Aqueous Ionic Equilibrium
Chapter 18, Problem 39c

Use the Henderson–Hasselbalch equation to calculate the pH of each solution. c. a solution that contains 10.0 g of HC2H3O2 and 10.0 g of NaC2H3O2 in 150.0 mL of solution

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Henderson-Hasselbalch Equation

The Henderson-Hasselbalch equation is a mathematical formula used to calculate the pH of a buffer solution. It is expressed as pH = pKa + log([A-]/[HA]), where pKa is the negative logarithm of the acid dissociation constant, [A-] is the concentration of the conjugate base, and [HA] is the concentration of the weak acid. This equation is particularly useful for solutions containing a weak acid and its conjugate base.
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Buffer Solutions

Buffer solutions are mixtures that can resist changes in pH upon the addition of small amounts of acid or base. They typically consist of a weak acid and its conjugate base, which work together to neutralize added acids or bases. In the context of the question, the acetic acid (HC2H3O2) and sodium acetate (NaC2H3O2) form a buffer system that helps maintain a stable pH.
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Concentration Calculations

To apply the Henderson-Hasselbalch equation, it is essential to calculate the concentrations of the acid and its conjugate base in the solution. Concentration is defined as the amount of solute divided by the volume of solution. In this case, the masses of HC2H3O2 and NaC2H3O2 must be converted to moles using their molar masses, and then divided by the total volume of the solution (in liters) to find the necessary concentrations for the equation.
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