You need to produce a buffer solution that has a pH of 5.50. You already have a solution that contains 10 mmol (millimoles) of acetic acid. How many millimoles of acetate (the conjugate base of acetic acid) will you need to add to this solution?

56.9 mmoles of acetate are required in this buffer

Explanation:

To solve this, we can think in the Henderson Hasselbach equation:

pH = pKa + log ([CH₃COO⁻] / [CH₃COOH])

To make the buffer we know:

CH₃COOH  +  H₂O  ⇄   CH₃COO⁻  +  H₃O⁺     Ka

We know that Ka from acetic acid is: 1.8×10⁻⁵

pKa = - log Ka

pKa = 4.74

We replace data:

5.5 = 4.74 + log ([acetate] / 10 mmol)

5.5 - 4.74 = log ([acetate] / 10 mmol)

0.755 = log ([acetate] / 10 mmol)

10⁰'⁷⁵⁵ = ([acetate] / 10 mmol)

5.69 = ([acetate] / 10 mmol)

5.69 . 10 = [acetate] → 56.9 mmoles