A buffer solution contains 0.479 M NaHCO3 and 0.342 M Na2CO3. Determine the pH change when 0.091 mol HNO3 is added to 1.00 L of the buffer. pH change

ΔpH = 0.20

Explanation:

The buffer of HCO₃⁻ + CO₃²⁻ has a pka of 10.2

HCO₃⁻ ⇄ H⁺ + CO₃²⁻

There are 0.479moles of NaHCO₃ and 0.342moles of Na₂CO₃.

Using Henderson-Hasselbalch formula:

pH = pka + log [Base] / [Acid]

pH = 10.2 + log 0.342mol / 0.479mol

pH = 10.05

NaOH reacts with HCO₃⁻ producing CO₃²⁻, thus:

NaOH + HCO₃⁻ → CO₃²⁻ + H₂O + Na⁺

0.091 moles of NaOH produce the same moles of CO₃²⁻ and consume HCO₃⁻. Moles of these species are:

CO₃²⁻: 0.342mol + 0.091mol: 0.433mol

HCO₃⁻: 0.479mol - 0.091 mol: 0.388mol

Using Henderson-Hasselbalch formula:

pH = pka + log [Base] / [Acid]

pH = 10.2 + log 0.433mol / 0.388mol

pH = 10.25

That means change of pH, ΔpH is:

ΔpH = 10.25 - 10.05 = 0.20

I hope it helps!