Answer:
3.51
Explanation:
Before any sodium hydroxide has been added, the pH is that of the aqueous hydrofluoric acid solution.
HF is a weak acid that dissociates according to the following equation.
HF(aq) ⇄ H⁺(aq) + F⁻(aq) Ka = 6.76 × 10⁻⁴
We can find [H⁺] using the following expression.
[H⁺] = √(Ca × Ka)
where
Ca: concentration of the acid
Ka: acid dissociation constant
[H⁺] = √(Ca × Ka)
[H⁺] = √(0.458 × 6.76 × 10⁻⁴)
[H⁺] = 3.10 × 10⁻⁴ M
The pH is:
pH = -log [H⁺]
pH = -log 3.10 × 10⁻⁴ = 3.51
