Ap Chemistry Nmsi Buffer Test Ap Chemistry Buffers Made Easy Answers

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Which of the following can be used in a buffer solution?

Possible Answers:

HNO₂ and KNO₂

HCl and HNO₃

NaOH and KOH

NaHCO₃ and K₂CO₃

Correct answer:

NaHCO₃ and K₂CO₃

Explanation:

For a buffer solution, you need a weak acid and its conjugate base, or a weak base and its conjugate acid. HCO₃ from the NaHCO₃ and CO_3– from K₂CO₃ are this pair.

Which of the following would best buffer a solution from a pH of 4 to 6?

Possible Answers:

Acetic acid (pK_a = 4.7)

Uric acid (pK_a = 3.9)

Carbonic acid (pK_a = 6.3)

Hydrocyanic acid (pK_a = 9.2)

Formic acid (pK_a = 3.7)

Correct answer:

Acetic acid (pK_a = 4.7)

Explanation:

A weak acid/base best buffers about 1 pH point above and below its pKa. The pKA closest to the middle of 4 and 6 (so want as close to 5) is acetic acid at 4.7.

Which of the following solutions has the greatest buffering capacity?

Possible Answers:

4M Nitric Acid

2M Formic Acid

1M Acetic Acid

3M Rubidium Hydroxide

Correct answer:

2M Formic Acid

Explanation:

Nitric Acid is a strong acid and can't buffer. Rubidium Hydroxide is a strong base and thus can't buffer. Of the remaining, both are weak acids, but the one with a greater concentration has a greater buffering capacity.

To create a buffer solution, you can use a weak acid and .

Possible Answers:

another weak acid

its conjugate acid

a strong base

its conjugate base

Correct answer:

its conjugate base

Explanation:

The definition of a buffer solution is that it contains a weak acid and its conjugate base, or a weak base and its conjugate acid. Since we are starting with a weak acid in this case, we need its conjugate base.

Which of the following will increase the pH of an  buffer solution?

I. Removing carbonic acid

II. Adding sodium bicarbonate

Possible Answers:

II only

Neither of these options

Both I and II

I only

Correct answer:

Both I and II

Explanation:

To answer this question we need to look at the reaction below:

An increase in the pH will result in a decrease in the concentration of hydrogen ions (). Using Le Chatelier's principle we can find out which answer choices will decrease .

Removing carbonic acid will decrease the concentration of . To maintain equilibrium, the reaction will shift to the left and make more reactants from products; therefore, there will be a decrease in the  and an increase in pH.

Recall that salts like sodium bicarbonate, or , will dissociate in water and form ions. Sodium bicarbonate will form sodium () and bicarbonate () ions. This side reaction will result in an increase in the bicarbonate ion concentration. Le Chatelier's principle will shift the equilibrium of the given reaction to the left and, therefore, decrease the . Adding sodium bicarbonate will increase the pH.

Which of the following combinations cannot be used to produce a buffer solution?

Correct answer:

 and

Explanation:

Buffer solutions can be made via two methods. The first method involves adding equal amounts of a weak acid and a salt of its weak conjugate base (or vice versa). The second methods involves adding a weak acid and a half equivalent of a strong base (or vice versa).

 is a weak acid and  is a salt of its weak conjugate base; therefore, this can form a buffer.

 is a weak base and  is a salt of its weak conjugate acid; this can also form a buffer. Note that this is the converse of the first method (weak base with salt of weak acid), but it can still form a buffer solution.

 is a strong acid and  is a weak base; therefore, adding  and a half equivalent of  will create a buffer solution. This is the converse of the second method (adding a weak base to a half equivalent of strong acid).

 and  are both strong reagents (acid and base, respectively); therefore, they cannot form a buffer solution.

Blood is a physiological buffer. The carbonic acid/bicarbonate system maintains blood's pH at around 7.35. Carbon dioxide in blood undergoes a complex equilibrium reaction as follows:

Alterations to carbon dioxide levels can change the blood pH.

A patient has abnormally low levels of carbon dioxide in the blood. What can you conclude about this patient?

Possible Answers:

The body will compensate by decreasing the amount of bicarbonate

The body will compensate by increasing respiratory rate (hyperventilation)

The ratio of carbonic acid to bicarbonate will be decreased

The patient has respiratory alkalosis (basic blood pH)

Correct answer:

The patient has respiratory alkalosis (basic blood pH)

Explanation:

The question states that the patient has low levels of carbon dioxide. If we look at the given reaction, we will notice that the reaction will compensate for this by shifting the reaction equilibrium to the left. This phenomenon is called Le Chatelier's principle and occurs to maintain the equilibrium of the reaction; therefore, the reaction will create more carbon dioxide by utilizing bicarbonate and hydrogen ions in the blood. A decrease in hydrogen ion concentration in blood will increase the pH and cause alkalosis (basicity in the blood). Since carbon dioxide is the cause of alkalosis, this patient will experience respiratory alkalosis. If he experienced alkalosis due to a change in bicarbonate ion concentration, the patient will have metabolic alkalosis.

The ratio of carbonic acid to bicarbonate will stay the same because both will be used in equal amounts (1:1 ratio) to produce carbon dioxide. Increasing respiratory rate, or hyperventilation, will result in an increase in the amount of carbon dioxide expelled by the patient; this will decrease the carbon dioxide concentration in the blood and will worsen the respiratory alkalosis. Recall that we are utilizing the bicarbonate ion (in conjunction with hydrogen ions) to create carbonic acid. The carbonic acid will be further broken down to replenish the carbon dioxide. A decrease in the bicarbonate concentration will slow down this process.

A researcher is trying to make a buffer solution from a weak acid and its weak conjugate base. The pKa of the acid is 5.9 and the desired pH of the buffer solution is 3.5. Which of the following is the best way to make this buffer solution?

Possible Answers:

Add a 1:1 ratio of the weak acid to its weak conjugate base

Add a 2:1 ratio of the weak acid to a strong base

Add a 1:1 ratio of the weak acid to a strong base

The researcher cannot use this weak acid to make the desired buffer solution

Correct answer:

The researcher cannot use this weak acid to make the desired buffer solution

Explanation:

One way to make a buffer is by adding equal amounts of a weak acid to its weak conjugate base. For example, you can add 1M acetic acid to 1M acetate to create a buffer solution (note that both acetic acid and its conjugate base (acetate) are weak). However, when using this method you have to remember that the desired pH of the buffer solution has to equal the pKa of the weak acid. The question states that the pKa of the acid is 5.9 and the desired pH of the buffer is 3.5; therefore, it is not possible to make the buffer with the given acid. The researcher would have to find another acid that has a pKa near 3.5.

There are many solution systems which can only function as desired when the pH of that solution stays within a narrow range. Maintaining a stable pH in an unstable environment is most often achieved by the use of a buffer system, which is composed of a conjugate acid-base pair. One physiologically important buffer system is the bicarbonate buffer system that resists changes in blood pH.

The acid dissociation constant of carbonic acid

The normal blood pH is tightly regulated between 7.35 and 7.45

When blood pH falls below 7.35 a person is said to have acidosis. Depending upon how far the pH drops, this condition could lead to nervous system impairment, coma, and death.

What is the ratio of bicarbonate ion concentration to carbonic acid concentration at which an individual will be at the threshold of experiencing acidosis

Correct answer:

Explanation:

When performing acid/base calculations, the Henderson-Hasselbalch equation is useful:

To use this equation we need to convert the to the, and can use the following definition to do so:

Since an individual will begin experiencing acidosis when the blood falls below 7.35 we can use 7.35 as the pH in the Henderson-Hasselbalch equation. Adding in the  of 6.10 calculated from the gives the equation below:

Plug in known values and solve:

Correct Answer:

The answer is unitless becauseall units cancel out.

A buffer using acetic acid (pKa=4.76) is titrated with NaOH. What is the pH at half the equivalence point?

Possible Answers:

4.76

7.00

9.52

12.36

2.38

Explanation:

The pH at half the equivalence point is equal to the pKa of the acid.

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