Practice question
Question
A weak acid HY ( Ka = 1.0 × 10⁻⁴ ) is mixed with its salt NaY in a 2:1 molar ratio. If [HY] = 0.2 M , what is the pH?
Explanation
[Y-] = 0.1 M , pKa = 4 , pH = pKa + log ([Y-]/[HY]) = 4 + log (0.1/0.2) = 4 + log 0.5 = 4 - 0.301 = 3.7 .