A 29.2 mL sample of a 0.458 M aqueous hydrofluoric acid solution is titrated with a 0.337 M aqueous sodium hydroxide solution. What is the pH at the start of the titration, before any sodium hydroxide has been added

3.51

Explanation:

Before any sodium hydroxide has been added, the pH is that of the aqueous hydrofluoric acid solution.

HF is a weak acid that dissociates according to the following equation.

HF(aq) ⇄ H⁺(aq) + F⁻(aq)      Ka = 6.76 × 10⁻⁴

We can find [H⁺] using the following expression.

[H⁺] = √(Ca × Ka)

where

Ca: concentration of the acid

Ka: acid dissociation constant

[H⁺] = √(Ca × Ka)

[H⁺] = √(0.458 × 6.76 × 10⁻⁴)

[H⁺] = 3.10 × 10⁻⁴ M

The pH is:

pH = -log [H⁺]

pH = -log 3.10 × 10⁻⁴ = 3.51

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