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.
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