Analytical Chemistry

Semester 1, 2020-2021

HOMEWORK # 2

1. (20 pts.) You need to make a pH 4.0 buffer solution and you have the following reagents
available to you:
Acid Base (either in the form of salt or base)
Lactic Acid pKa = 3.86 Sodium lactate

CH3COOH pKa = 4.73 CH3COONa

HOCl pKa = 7.52 NaOCl

NH4Cl pKa = 9.24 NH4OH

a. (10 pts) Which pair of these reagents listed above would you use to make the buffer
solution? Explain your answer.
b. (10 pts) In roughly what relative molar concentrations would you combine them?
Show your work for full credit.
2. (30 pts.)
a. (10 pts.) Calculate the pH of the buffer composed of 100.0 mL of 0.025 M benzoic
acid (pKa = 4.19 ) and 0.015 M sodium benzoate.

b. (10pts.) Calculate the pH of the buffer in a) if 5.0 × 10-4 M NaOH is added to the
buffer.

c. (10 pts.) Calculate the pH of the buffer in a) if 5.0 × 10-4 M HCl is added to the
buffer.

3. (50 pts.) 50.0 mL of 0.0100 M NH3 (pKa = 9.25) is titrated with 0.100 M HCl.
a. (35 pts.) Find the pH at the following volumes of HCl: 0 mL; 1.00 mL; 2.50 mL; 5.00
mL; 7.50 mL. Sketch titration curve for this titration.
b. (15 pts.) Which indicator listed below will be the most appropriate one to identify the
endpoint of the titration? How would the color change at the endpoint with the chosen
indicator?

1
Analytical Chemistry
Semester 1, 2020-2021

Indicator pH transition range Acid color Base color

Congo red 3.0 – 5.0 Violet Red

Methyl red 4.8 – 6.0 Red Yellow

Bromothymol blue 6.0 – 7.6 Yellow Blue