Question
True/ False: The pH of a soln that is 0.20 M CH3COOH and 0.20 M CH3COONa should be higher than the pH of a 0.20 M CH3COOH soln
Would it be true since CH3COOH and CH3COONa are both weak acids, and if you mix them together, it becomes more diluted, and hence should have a higher pH than just simply CH3COOH?
Would it be true since CH3COOH and CH3COONa are both weak acids, and if you mix them together, it becomes more diluted, and hence should have a higher pH than just simply CH3COOH?
Answers
DrBob222
I didn't work it out. I think it is true, too, but not for the reasons you gave. The acid by itself has a certain pH. The mixture consists of a weak acid (acetic acid) and its salt(the sodium acetate which by the way is a base); therefore, this is a buffered solution. Most, if not all, buffered solutions have a higher pH than the pure acid. I worked it out very quick estimates. The pH of the buffer is 4.74 and the pH of the acid alone is about 2.7.