pH & Buffers

AS & A Level
Model Answers 1
Level A Level
Subject Chemistry
Exam Board OCR
Module Physical Chemistry & Transition Elements
Topic pH & Buffers
Paper AS & A Level
Booklet Model Answers 1

Time allowed: 66 minutes

Score: /49

Percentage: /100

Grade Boundaries:

A* A B C D E
>85% 73% 60% 47% 34% 21%

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Question 1

Butanoic acid, CH3(CH2)2COOH, is the ‘butter acid’, formed when butter turns rancid and tastes
sour. A student prepares an aqueous solution of butanoic acid with a concentration of
0.250 mol dm–3.

The Ka of butanoic acid is 1.51 × 10–5 mol dm–3.

(a) (i) Write the expression for the acid dissociation constant of butanoic acid. [1]

[1]
(ii) Calculate the pKa of butanoic acid.

pKa = –logKa = 4.82

(iii) Calculate the pH of the 0.250 mol dm–3 butanoic acid.

[3]
Give your answer to two decimal places.

[H+] = 1.94 x 10–3 (mol dm–3)

pH = –log[H+] = 2.71

Step Working out

1.Use the equation pKa = logKa to find pKa Ka = 14.82

2. Since ka = [H+][A-], solve for [H+], [H+] = (1.51 𝑥𝑥 10−5 ) 𝑥𝑥 0.25

multiplying by 0.25 to adjust for the volume

[H+] = 1.94 x 10-3

3. Use formula for calculating pH pH = -log 1.94 x 10-3

pH = 2.71

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(b) The student adds aqueous butanoic acid to magnesium.

The student then adds aqueous butanoic acid to aqueous sodium carbonate.

(i) Write the ionic equation for the reaction between aqueous butanoic acid and magnesium.

[1]
Mg + 2H+ → Mg2+ + H2

For the ionic equation write the metal atoms and the protons from the acid as the

reactants. The products then become the metal ions formed and hydrogen gas.

Check that species and charges balance.

(ii) Write the ionic equation for the reaction between aqueous butanoic acid and aqueous sodium
carbonate. [1]

CO32- + 2H+ → H2O + CO2

Step Working out

Write out the reactant ions as given in the CO32- + 2H+ →

question

Balance the species on either side of the CO32- + 2H+ → H2O + CO2

equation, adding water and carbon dioxide

on the RHS and making sure that species AND

charges balance

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 (c) The student adds 50.0 cm3 of 0.250 mol dm–3 butanoic acid to 50.0 cm3 of 0.0500 mol dm–3
sodium hydroxide. A buffer solution forms.

(i) Explain why a buffer solution forms. [2]

CH3(CH2)2COONa OR CH3(CH2)2COO– forms

OR

CH3(CH2)2COOH + OH– → CH3(CH2)2COO– + H2O

CH3(CH2)2COOH is in excess OR acid is in excess

OR some acid remains

The equation is CH3(CH2)2COOH + NaOH → CH3(CH2)2COONa + H2O

A buffer is an aqueous solution containing a weak acid and its conjugate base or

a weak base and its conjugate acid. The acid is present in excess producing a

large reservoir of acid and its conjugate base.

(ii) Calculate the pH of the buffer solution.

The Ka of butanoic acid is 1.51 × 10–5 mol dm–3.

Give your answer to two decimal places.

[5]

Moles (2 marks)

amount CH3(CH2)2COOH = 0.0100 (mol)

amount CH3(CH2)2COO– = 0.0025 (mol)

Concentration (1 mark)

[CH3(CH2)2COOH] = 0.100 mol dm–3

AND

[CH3(CH2)2COO–] = 0.025 mol dm–3

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 [H+] and pH (2 marks)

[H+] = 1.51 x 105 x (0.100 /0.025) = 6.04 x 10–5 (mol dm–3)

pH = –log 6.04 x 10–5 = 4.22 pH to 2 DP

Step Acid Base

1.Calculate the moles of acid 0.05 x 0.25 = 0.0125 00.05 x 0.05 = 0.0025

and base at the start (before

mixing)

2. Calculate the moles of 0.0100 (acid left over) 0 (all used up)

acid and base after mixing

3. Calculate the moles of 0.0025

CH3(CH2)2COO- formed

4.Calculate concentration of 0.01 / 0.1 = 0.1 mol dm-3 0.0025 / 0.1 = 0.025 mol dm-3

the acid and base

5. Calculate [H+] using

(1.51 𝑥𝑥 10−5 ) (0.1)
[H+ ] = = 6.04 x 10-5
0.025
𝑘𝑘𝑎𝑎 [𝐻𝐻𝐻𝐻]
[H+] =
[𝐴𝐴]

6. Calculate pH using pH = -log 6.04 x 10-5 = 4.22

pH = -log[H+]

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(d) The student adds methanoic acid, HCOOH (Ka = 1.82 × 10–4 mol dm–3), to butanoic acid. A
reaction takes place to form an equilibrium mixture containing two acid–base pairs.

Complete the equilibrium below and label the conjugate acid–base pairs.

HCOOH + CH3(CH2)2COOH HCOO– + CH3(CH2)2COOH2+

[2]
HCOOH + CH3(CH2)2COOH ⇌ HCOO– + CH3(CH2)2COOH2+

acid 1 base 2 base 1 acid 2

Acid 1 becomes conjugate base 1 by proton loss: HCOOH → HCOO- + H+

Base 2 becomes conjugate acid 1 by proton gain: CH3(CH2)2COOH → CH3(CH2)2COOH2+

[Total16 Marks]

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Question 2

This question looks at acids, bases and buffer solutions.

(a) Nitric acid, HNO3, is a strong Brønsted–Lowry acid.

Nitrous acid, HNO2, is a weak Brønsted–Lowry acid with a Ka value of 4.43 × 10–4 moldm–3.

(i) What is the difference between a strong acid and a weak acid? [1]

A strong acid completely dissociates

AND
a weak acid partially dissociates

(ii) What is the expression for the acid dissociation constant, Ka, of nitrous acid, HNO2? [1]

(iii) Calculate the pH of 0.375 mol dm–3 nitrous acid, HNO2.

Give your answer to two decimal places. [2]

pH = –log 0.0129 = 1.89

OR

pH = –log 0.0129 = 1.9

not two decimal places

Step Working out

1. Rearrange the Ka equation for [H+] Ka = [H+][NO2-]/[HNO2] = [H+]2/[HNO2]

[H+]2 = Ka[HNO2]

2.Calculate [H+] [H+]2 = 4.43 x 10-4 x 0.375

[H+] = 4.43 𝑥𝑥 10−4 𝑥𝑥 0.375

[H+] = 0.0129 mol dm-3

3.Calculate pH pH = -log [H+]

pH = -log 0.0129

pH = 1.89
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(iv) A student suggests that an acid–base equilibrium is set up when nitric acid is mixed with
nitrous acid.

Complete the equation for the equilibrium that would be set up and label the conjugate
acid–base pairs.

HNO3 + HNO2 ................... + ...................

[2]
HNO3 + HNO2 ⇌ NO3– + H2NO2 +

Acid 1 Base 2 Base 1 Acid 2

Nitric acid is a stronger acid than nitrous acid, so it will donate a proton to nitrous

acid,

On the reactant side:

● HNO3 is acid 1

● HNO2 is base 2

Acidity of products can be judged using the reverse reaction. H2NO2+ donates a proton in

the reverse reaction, so it is the stronger acid.

On the product side:

● H2NO2+ is acid 2

● NO3- is base 1

(b) Calcium hydroxide, Ca(OH)2, is a strong Brønsted–Lowry base.

(i) Explain what is meant by the term Brønsted–Lowry base. [1]

Proton acceptor

Brønsted-Lowry base is a proton acceptor.

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 (ii) Calculate the pH of 0.0400 mol dm–3 Ca(OH)2.

Give your answer to two decimal places.

[3]

Step Working out

1. Calculate the [OH-] from the information 0.0400 mol dm-3 Ca(OH)2 so [OH-] = 0.08

given in the questions since each molecule contains 2 OH- ions

2.Use the Kw expression to calculate [H+], Kw = [H+][OH-] = 1.00 x 10-14

assuming complete dissociation since Rearrange for [H+]:

Ca(OH)2 is a strong base:

1 𝑥𝑥 10−13
[H+] =
0.08

[H+] = 1.25 x 10-3 mol dm-3

3.Calculate pH pH = -log [H+]

pH = -log 1.25 x 10-3

pH = 12.90

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(c) Aqueous calcium hydroxide is added to nitrous acid, HNO2.

Write the overall equation and the ionic equation for the reaction that takes place. [2]

Ca(OH)2 + 2HNO2 → Ca(NO2)2 + 2H2O

H+ + OH– → H2O

Step Working out

1.Write out the molecular equation as per Ca(OH)2 + 2HNO → Ca(NO)2 + 2H2O

the wording in the question, making sure that

it is balanced

2.Write out the full ionic equation Ca2+ + 2OH- + 2H+ + 2NO- → Ca2+ + 2NO- + 2H+ +

2OH-

3. Eliminate the spectator ions (underlined, 2OH- + 2H+ → 2H+ + 2OH-

these are the ions that do not participate in

the reaction and have the same formula,

number, state and charge on either side)

4.Simplify and add water as the product OH- + H+ → H2O

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 (d) Carbonic acid, H2CO3, is a weak Brønsted–Lowry acid formed when carbon dioxide dissolves
in water. Healthy blood is buffered to a pH of 7.40. The most important buffer solution in blood
is a mixture of carbonic acid and hydrogencarbonate ions, HCO3–.

(i) Explain how the carbonic acid–hydrogencarbonate mixture acts as a buffer in the control
of blood pH.

In your answer you should explain how equilibrium allows the buffer solution to control
the pH. [5]

Equilibrium

H2CO3 ⇌ H+ + CO3-

Action of buffer

Added alkali

H2CO3 reacts with added alkali

OR H2CO3 + OH– →

OR added alkali reacts with H+

OR H+ + OH– →

Equilibrium → right

OR equilibrium shifts forming H+ OR HCO-

H2CO3 can act as buffer because when alkali is added:

● OH- can react with H+ forming H2O

● Equilibrium shifts to right to form more H+ which have been used up

Added acid

HCO3- reacts with added acid

Equilibrium → left

OR equilibrium shifts forming H2CO3

H2CO3 can act as buffer because when acid is added

● H+ can react with HCO3-

● Equilibrium shifts to left to form H2CO3

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 (ii) Healthy blood at a pH of 7.40 has a hydrogencarbonate : carbonic acid ratio of 10.5 : 1.
A patient is admitted to hospital. The patient’s blood pH is measured as 7.20.

Calculate the hydrogencarbonate : carbonic acid ratio in the patient’s blood. [5]

Step Working out

1.Write out the Ka equation for pH 7.4 Ka = [H+][HCO3-] / [H2CO3]

2.Calculate [H+] using pH = -log [H+] [H+] = 10-7.4

[H+] = 3.98 x 10-8

3. Find the value of Ka Ka = (3.98 x 10-8)(10.5)/ 1

Ka = 4.18 x 10-7

4. When pH = 7.20, [H+] = 10-7.20 [H+] = 6.31 × 10-8 mol dm-3

5.Substitute all values back into the equation

for Ka and rearrange equation for the ratio

6.Solve to find the ratio

or 6.6 : 1

[Total 22 Marks]

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Question 3

This question is about acids and bases found in the home.

(a) Ethanoic acid, CH3COOH, is the acid present in vinegar.

A student carries out an experiment to determine the pKa value of CH3COOH.

• The concentration of CH3COOH in the vinegar is 0.870 mol dm–3.

• The pH of the vinegar is 2.41.

(i) Write the expression for the acid dissociation constant, Ka, of CH3COOH. [1]

[𝐻𝐻 + ][𝐶𝐶𝐻𝐻3 𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝑂𝑂− ]

Ka =
[𝐶𝐶𝐻𝐻3 𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶]

(ii) Calculate the pKa value of CH3COOH.

Give your answer to two decimal places. [3]

Step Working out

1. Use [H+] = 10-pH to calculate [H+]. [H+] = 10-2.41 = 3.89 x 10-3 (mol dm-3)

2. Write out the expression for Ka and solve

[𝐻𝐻 + ]2 (3.89 𝑥𝑥 10−3 ) 2
Ka = =
for Ka. [𝐶𝐶𝐻𝐻3 𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶] 0.870

= 1.74 x 10-5 (mol dm-3)

3. Use pKa = -log Ka to calculate pKa. pKa = -log 1.74 x 10-5 = 4.76
(iii) Determine the percentage dissociation of ethanoic acid in the vinegar.

Give your answer to three significant figures.

[1]

[𝐻𝐻 + ]
Percentage dissociation = x 100
[𝐶𝐶𝐻𝐻3 𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶]

3.89 𝑥𝑥 10−3
% dissociation = x 100 = 0.477 (%)
0.870

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(b) Many solid drain cleaners are based on sodium hydroxide, NaOH.

• A student dissolves 1.26 g of a drain cleaner in water and makes up the solution to
100.0 cm3.
• The student measures the pH of this solution as 13.48.

Determine the percentage, by mass, of NaOH in the drain cleaner.

Give your answer to three significant figures.

[4]

Step Working out

1. Use [H+] = 10-pH to calculate [H+]. [H+] = 10-13.48 = 3.31 x 10-14 (mol dm-3)

2. Calculate the concentration of OH- ions

1.00 𝑥𝑥 10−14
[OH-] = = 0.302 (mol dm-3)
from the value for Kw. 3.31 𝑥𝑥 10−14

3. From here we can calculate the mass of 100

Mass of (NaOH) = 0.302 x x 40.0
1000
the NaOH.
= 1.21 (g)

4. Convert to percentage as required by the 1.21

% NaOH = x 100 = 95.9 %
1.26
question.

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(c) Sodium carbonate, Na2CO3, is a base used in washing soda.

Na2CO3 contains the carbonate ion, CO 2–, shown below.

3

O–

C
O O–

Draw the ‘dot-and-cross’ diagram for the carbonate ion.

Show outer electrons only and use different symbols for electrons from C and O, and any
‘extra’ electrons.

[2]

Make sure you:

● Use different symbols for each atom.

● Shared electrons go into the overlap spaces.

● Non-bonding pairs are clear.

● Large brackets.

● Charge on upper right hand side.

(Total 11 marks)

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