Chemistry · Ionic equilibrium: Weak and strong electrolytes, ionization of electrolytes

In a mixture of acetic acid and sodium acetate, the ratio of concentrations of t

In a mixture of acetic acid and sodium acetate, the ratio of concentrations of the salt to the acid is increased ten times. Then the \( p H \) of the solution:

  • A. Increases by one
  • B. Decreases by one
  • C. Decreases ten fold
  • D. Increases ten fold

Step-by-step solution

The pH of a buffer solution is given by the Henderson-Hasselbalch equation: pH = pKa + log([salt]/[acid]). Increasing the ratio [salt]/[acid] ten times increases log([salt]/[acid]) by log10(10) = 1, so pH increases by 1.
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