In: Chemistry
A 200.0 mL buffer solution is 0.360 M NH3 and 0.250 M NH4Br. What mass of HCl does this buffer neutralize before pH falls below 8.80?
Volume of buffer = 200.0 ml
= 200 ml * 1.0 L/1000 ml
= 0.200 L
Number of moles = molarity * volume in L
Initial moles of NH3 = 0.360 x 0.200
= 0.072 mol
Initial moles of NH4+ = initial moles of NH4Br
= 0.250* 0.200
= 0.05 mol
We know that
pKb of NH3 = 1.8 x 10-5
Kw= 1.0 x 10 -14
pKa of NH4+ = Kw/pKb of NH3
= 1.0 x 10 -14/1.8 x 10-5
= 5.556 x 10-10
And pK a = - log Ka
= - log 5.556 x 10-10
= 9.25
NH3 + HCl => NH4+ + Cl-
Let us if x be the moles of HCl added
Moles of NH3 = 0.072 - x
Moles of NH4+ = 0.05 + x
Henderson-Hasselbalch equation:
pH = pKa + log([NH3]/[NH4+])
8.80 = 9.25 + log(moles of NH3/moles of NH4+)
8.80 = 9.25 + log ((0.072 – x )/( 0.05 + x))
- 0.45 = log ((0.072 – x )/( 0.05 + x))
((0.072 – x )/( 0.05 + x)) = 10^- 0.45
((0.072 – x )/( 0.05 + x))=0.355
0.072-x = 0.01775 + 0.355 x
0.05424= 1.355x
x = 0.0400 moles
Moles of HCl added = 0.400 mol
Mass of HCl added = moles x molar mass
= 0.0400 x 36.46 = 1.46 g