Question

An analytical chemist is titrating of a solution of nitrous acid with a solution of . The of nitrous acid is . Calculate the pH of the acid solution a

Answer 1

Answer:

pH = 2.69

Explanation:

The complete question is: An analytical chemist is titrating 182.2 mL of a 1.200 M solution of nitrous acid (HNO2) with a solution of 0.8400 M KOH. The pKa of nitrous acid is 3.35. Calculate the pH of the acid solution after the chemist has added 46.44 mL of the KOH solution to it.

The reaction of HNO₂ with KOH is:

HNO₂ + KOH → NO₂⁻ + H₂O + K⁺

Moles of HNO₂ and KOH that react are:

HNO₂ = 0.1822L × (1.200mol / L) = 0.21864 moles HNO₂

KOH = 0.04644L × (0.8400mol / L) = 0.0390 moles KOH

That means after the reaction, moles of HNO₂ and NO₂⁻ after the reaction are:

NO₂⁻ = 0.03900 moles KOH = moles NO₂⁻

HNO₂ = 0.21864 moles HNO₂ - 0.03900 moles = 0.17964 moles HNO₂

It is possible to find the pH of this buffer (Mixture of a weak acid, HNO₂ with the conjugate base, NO₂⁻), using H-H equation for this system:

pH = pKa + log₁₀ [NO₂⁻] / [HNO₂]

pH = 3.35 + log₁₀ [0.03900mol] / [0.17964mol]

pH = 2.69