Answer:
the concentration of bicarbonate is <em>[HCO₃⁻] = 0,03996 M </em>and carbonate is <em>[CO₃²⁻] = 3,56x10⁻⁵ M.</em>
Explanation:
Carbonate-bicarbonate is:
HCO₃⁻ ⇄ CO₃²⁻ + H⁺ With pka = 10,25
Using Henderson-Hasselbalach formula:
pH = pka + log₁₀
7,2 = 10,25 + log₁₀
8,91x10⁻⁴ = <em>(1)</em>
Also:
0,040 M = [CO₃²⁻] + [HCO₃⁻] <em>(2)</em>
Replacing (2) in 1:
<em>[HCO₃⁻] = 0,03996 M</em>
Thus:
<em>[CO₃²⁻] = 3,56x10⁻⁵ M</em>
I hope it helps.