Henderson-Hasselbalch Equation - MCAT Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems

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Question

The Ka for HCN is .

If there is a solution of 2M HCN, what concentration of NaCN is needed in order for the pH to be 9.2?

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Answer

To answer this question, we need to be able to compare the concentrations of acid and conjugate base in the solution with the pH. The Henderson-Hasselbach equation is used to compare these values, and is written as:. In this question, this equation can be written with the given values of Ka and pH.

Since we know the Ka of HCN, we can derive the pKa, which turns out to be 9.2.

As a result, we want to see to it that the amount of conjugate base is equal to the concentration of acid, so that . Because log(1) = 0, we want to see to it that the concentrations of the acid and the conjugate base are equal to one another. We know from the question that \[HCN\] = 2M.

As a result, a concentration of 2M NaCN will allow the pH of the solution to be 9.2.

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