In: Chemistry
A student is given 500.mL of a 0.10M HCN solution. Ka = 4.9 X 10^−10
What mass of NaCN should the student dissolve in the HCN solution to turn it into a buffer with pH = 9.86?
[HCN] = molarity x volume in Litres = 0.1 M x 0.5 L = 0.05 mol
[NaCN] = ?
pH = pKa + log [NaCN]/[HCN]
pH = - log Ka + log [NaCN]/[HCN]
9.86 = - log (4.9 x 10−10) + log [NaCN]/ 0.05
On solving,
[NaCN] = 0.177 mol
Hence,
mass of NaCN = moles x molar mass = 0.177 mol x 49 g/mol = 8.67 grams
Therefore,
mass of NaCN required= 8.67 grams