Questions on CALCULATING THE pH of a BUFFER SOLUTION

WHEN EQUAL VOLUMES WERE NOT USED!

(ii)  0.14 mol dm–3 solution of ethanoic acid (Ka = 1.76 × 10–5 mol dm–3)
(3)

(b)  The graph shows the titration curve for a weak acid with a strong base. The equivalence
point is A and the volume of alkali added at the equivalence point is C. Volume B is half of
volume C.
 (i)  Use the graph to determine the dissociation constant, Ka, of the weak acid.
(3)

(ii)  Explain the rapid rise in pH from 2.8 to 4 at the start of the titration.
(2)
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(c)  In another experiment, 10 cm3 of 1.0 mol dm–3 sodium hydroxide was added to 30 cm3
1.0 mol dm–3 propanoic acid (Ka = 1.3 × 10–5 mol dm–3).
(i)  Calculate the pH of the resulting solution.
(3)
 (ii)  State one assumption you have made in this calculation.
(1)
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(Total for question = 13 marks)
 

Q2.
 
Answer the question with a cross in the box you think is correct . If you change your
mind about an answer, put a line through the box and then mark your new answer
with a cross .
A buffer solution contains ethanoic acid, with a concentration of 0.10 mol dm−3, and sodium
ethanoate, with a concentration of 0.050 mol dm−3.
Ka for ethanoic acid = 1.7 × 10−5 mol dm−3
The pH of this buffer solution is
   A    2.88
   B    4.47
   C    4.77
   D    5.07

Use this space for any rough working. Anything you write in this space will gain no
credit.

 
(Total for question = 1 mark)
 

Q3.
 
This question is about ethanoic acid and some of its compounds.
(a)  Three students, A, B and C, carried out an investigation to determine the amount of
isoamyl acetate, an ester of ethanoic acid, in a banana food flavouring.
They hydrolysed the ester with excess sodium hydroxide solution.

The amount of sodium hydroxide remaining was determined by titrating the reaction
mixture with hydrochloric acid.
(i)  Give the systematic name for isoamyl acetate.
(1)
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(ii)  6.06 × 10–3 mol of sodium hydroxide reacted with the ester present in 1.07 g of the
flavouring.
Calculate the percentage by mass of the ester in the food flavouring.
(3)

(iii)  The students used 25.0 cm3 of sodium hydroxide solution with concentration 0.980
mol dm–3 for the hydrolysis.
Calculate the pH of the reaction mixture when the hydrolysis is complete. Assume the
total volume is 25.0 cm3.

(3)
 (iv)  Two indicators, methyl orange and phenolphthalein, were available for this titration.
Student A thought only methyl orange could be used.
Student B thought only phenolphthalein could be used.
Student C suggested either indicator could be used.
Explain which student is correct.
(2)
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(v)  Describe how the sodium ethanoate in the final reaction mixture could be converted
into ethanoic acid.
(1)
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(b)  Ethanoic acid can be used to form buffer solutions.
(i)  Calculate the pH of the buffer solution formed when 50.0 cm3 of ethanoic acid with
concentration of 0.150 mol dm–3 is mixed with 30.0 cm3 of sodium hydroxide solution with
concentration of 0.142 mol dm–3.

(5)

(ii)  Small amounts of sodium hydroxide and hydrochloric acid are added to separate
samples of the buffer solution in (b)(i).
Explain why these samples resist change in pH.
 Illustrate your answer with at least two equations.
(5)

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(Total for question = 20 marks)
Mark Scheme
Q1.
 
 

Q2.
 

Q3.