Chapter 2, Problem 68P

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

Whether the carbonic acid/bicarbonate buffer is better at neutralizing excess acid or base and maintains the $\text{pH}$ of the blood at $7.4$ should be determined.

Concept Introduction:

Important formulae regarding acid-base concepts are:

$\begin{array}{l}\text{pH + pOH}\text{= 14}\\ \text{pH}=-\text{log}\left({\text{H}}^{\text{+}}\right)\\ \text{pOH}=-\text{log}\left({\text{OH}}^{-}\right)\\ \text{pKa}=-\text{logKa}\end{array}$

Henderson-Hasselbalch equation

$\text{pKa}\text{=}\text{pH}\text{+}\text{log}\frac{\left[\text{HA}\right]}{\left[{\text{A}}^{\text{-}}\right]}$