We are given
0.2 M HCHO2 which is formic acid, a weak acid
and
0.15 M NaCHO2 which is a salt which can be formed by reacting HCHO2 and NaOH
The mixture of the two results to a basic buffer solution
To get the pH of a base buffer, we use the formula
pH = 14 - pOH = 14 - (pKa - log [salt]/[base])
We need the pKa of HCO2
From, literature, pKa = 1.77 x 10^-4
Substituting into the equation
pH = 14 - (1.77 x 10^-4 - log 0.15/0.2)
pH = 13.87
So, the pH of the buffer solution is 13.87
A pH of greater than 7 indicates that the solution is basic and a pH close to 14 indicates high alkalinity. This is due to the buffering effect of the salt on the base.
