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Question 10.11: What is the pH of a buffer solution that is 0.5 M in formic ......

What is the pH of a buffer solution that is 0.5 M in formic acid (HCHO_{2}) and 1.0 M in sodium formate (NaCHO_{2})? The pK_{a} for formic acid is 3.74.

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The concentrations for the buffering species are
HCHO_{2} = 0.5 M                   CHO_{2}  ^{-} = 1.0 M
Substituting these values into the Henderson–Hasselbalch equation gives

pH = pK_{a}+log\frac{[CHO_{2}^{-}]}{[HCHO_{2}]}=3.74+log\frac{1.0}{0.5}\\\quad\quad\quad = 3.74 + log 2 = 3.74 + 0.30 \\\quad\quad\quad = 4.04

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