Chapter 17, Problem 8PS

Lactic acid (CH₃CHOHCO₂H) is found in sour milk, in sauerkraut, and in muscles after activity. (K_a for lactic acid = 1.4 × 10⁻⁴.)

1. (a) If 2.75 g of NaCH₃CHOHCO₂, sodium lactate, is added to 5.00 × 10² mL of 0.100 M lactic acid, what is the pH of the resulting buffer solution?
2. (b) Is the pH of the buffered solution lower or higher than the pH of the lactic acid solution?