Problem Set: Acid-Base Equilibrium - Buffer Chemistry & Titration Chemistry

Learning Objectives: This problem set focuses on titration chemistry in acid-base equilibrium. More
specifically, students should be able to write out appropriate reaction, setting up equilibrium table (equilibrium
table) and calculate equivalence point pH and buffer pH (using Henderson-Hasselbalch equation) after
completion of the problem set.

Learning Materials: Lecture on chemical equilibrium (part 2), SRM09 and SRM10

Tutorial on significant figures for logarithms and anti-logarithms:

[Link]

Acid-Base Equilibrium Online Tutorial (Khan Academy):

Select Unit 8 “Acids, Bases and Solutions” on the left
[Link]

Buffer Chemistry Online Tutorial (Khan Academy):

[Link]
solution-calculations

How does a buffer solution work? (A very nice simple animation illustrating how a buffer works)
[Link]

1. A 0.10M weak acid (HA) solution has an equilibrium pH of 3.81. Calculate the Ka value for the weak
acid.

2. A 0.10M weak base (B-) solution has an equilibrium pH of 10.81. Calculate the Kb value for the weak
base.

3. Calculate the equilibrium pH after 5.00 mL of 0.150 M NaOH have been added to a 10.00mL aliquot of
0.250 M HNO3 in a titration. Nitric acid (HNO3) is a strong acid.

4. Calculate the equilibrium pH after 10.00 mL of 0.100 M NaOH have been added to a 20.00mL aliquot of
0.200 M HA (Ka = 1.0×10-5) in a titration.

5. Calculate the equilibrium pH after 20.00 mL of 0.200 M NaOH have been added to a 20.00mL aliquot of
0.200 M HA (Ka = 1.0×10-5) in a titration.

6. Calculate the equilibrium pH for the titration of a 20.00mL of 0.200 M ammonia, NH3, (Kb = 1.8×10−5)
with 40.00mL of 0.100 M HCl.

7. Calculate the equilibrium pH for the titration of a 20.00mL of 0.200 M ammonia, NH3, (Kb = 1.8×10−5)
with 10.00mL of 0.100 M HCl.

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 Problem Set: Acid-Base Equilibrium (PART 2) - Buffer Chemistry & Titration

8. Which of the following solution pairs can be used as buffers? Briefly explain your reasoning for your
choices.

Hint: A buffer solution must consist of ONLY a weak acid and its conjugate base or a weak base and its
conjugate acid. Click here for a list f of common strong acids and bases

(a) NaCl / HCl (b) NH4Cl / NH3 (c) K2CO3 / NaHCO3 (d) Na2CO3 / K2CO3

9. Nitric acid (HNO3) has an acid dissociation constant (Ka) of around 102.
a. Determine the Kb for NO3- (i.e. conjugate base of nitric acid).
b. Suppose you have a solution that was prepared by mixing nitric acid (HNO3) with potassium nitrate
(KNO3). Explain whether a mixture consists of nitric acid (HNO3) and potassium nitrate (KNO3) is a buffer
based on the magnitude of the Ka and Kb values.

10a. Explain why the equivalence point pH is greater than 7 for a weak acid and strong base titration?
b. Explain why the equivalence point pH is less than 7 for a weak base and strong acid titration?
c. Explain why the equivalence point pH is equal to 7 for a strong base and strong acid titration?

11. Explain how one can determine the experimental pKa value on a titration graph between a weak
monoprotic acid and a strong base.

12. Derive the Henderson-Hasselbalch equation for buffers starting from a buffer solution that contains a
weak acid (HA) and its conjugate base (A-). You may assume that the weak acid has a K of 10-5 or less.
a

For simplicity, set the initial molar concentration (M) for the weak acid (HA) to be X and the initial molar
concentration of A- to be Y. Based on the derivation, what are the assumptions when deriving the
Henderson-Hasselbalch equation for buffers.

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 Answer Key

Tutorial on significant figures for logarithms and anti-logarithms (pH calculations)

[Link]

1. We know a weak acid should undergo hydrolysis in water (Refer to previous practice problem set on “Weak
acid and weak base equilibrium”) as follow:

HA + HOH = H3O+ + A- Ka = [A-][ H3O+] / [HA]

Equilibrium pH = 3.81 pH = -log [H3O+] [H3O+]= 10-3.81 = 1.5×10-4M

We also know that both [A-] and [H3O+] has the same equilibrium concentration = 1.5×10-4M
[A-] = [H3O+] because HA dissociates into H3O+ and A- in a 1:1 ratio in water (see the dissociation reaction
shown above).

Initial [HA] = 0.10M

Note: We will now plug in all the values into the equilibrium table (similar to what we did in lecture on initial pH
for a weak acid except that we are doing this “backward” by plugging in the values to solve for the equilibrium
constant)

Refer to previous practice problem set on “Weak acid and weak base equilibrium

HA H2O H3O+ A-
INITIAL 0.10M --- --- ---
CHANGE -1.5×10-4M --- +1.5×10-4M +1.5×10-4M
EQUILIBRIUM 0.10M – 0.00015M --- +1.5×10-4M +1.5×10-4M

Ka = [A-][ H3O+] / [HA]

Plug in all the values from the “EQUILIBIRUM” line to the Ka expression listed above to solve for Ka

Ka = (1.5×10-4)( 1.5×10-4) / (0.10 – 0.00015)

Ka = 2.4×10-7 (Any value between 2.2×10-7 and 2.4×10-7 is acceptable)

We should expect the Ka to be quite small since the amount of dissociation which is only 0.00015M!

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 Answer Key

2. We know a weak base should undergo hydrolysis in water (Refer to previous practice problem set on “Weak
acid and weak base equilibrium”) as follow:

B- + HOH = HB + OH- Kb = [OH-][HB] / [B-]

Equilibrium pH = 10.81; pOH = 14 – 10.81 = 3.19 [OH-] = 10-3.19 = 6.5×10-4M

Equilibrium [OH-] = [HB] = 6.5×10-4M Initial [B-] = 0.10M

[OH-] = [HB] because B- dissociates into HB and OH- in a 1:1 ratio in water (see the dissociation reaction
shown above).

Note: We will now plug in all the values into the equilibrium table (similar to question #1)

Refer to previous practice problem set on “Weak acid and weak base equilibrium

B- H2O HB OH-
INITIAL 0.10M --- --- ---
CHANGE -6.5×10-4M --- +6.5×10-4M +6.5×10-4M
EQUILIBRIUM 0.10M – 0.00065M --- +6.5×10-4M +6.5×10-4M

Plug in all the values from the “EQUILIBIRUM” line to the Kb expression listed above to solve for Kb

Kb = (6.5×10-4)( 6.5×10-4) / (0.10 – 0.00065)

Kb = 4.2×10-6 (Any value between 4.1×10-6 and 4.5×10-6 is acceptable)

We should expect the Kb to be quite small since the amount of dissociation which is only 0.00065M!

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 Answer Key

3. Use the following three steps process to solve for acid-base equilibrium problem

Step 1: Write the reaction: HNO3 + OH − → NO−3 + H2 O

Note: NaOH is a strong base. The “Na ” in NaOH is a spectator ion and it is not relevant to the reaction.
+

Step 2: Set up the equilibrium table based on the reaction (step 1) – we are using moles in the table
You can also set up the table using molarity (M). In this case, you will divide all the values shown
below in the equilibrium table by the total volume (in liter) of the solution.
Total volume = 15.00mL = 0.01500L (i.e. volume of HNO3 + NaOH)

HNO3 OH- NO3− H2O

Initial (moles) (0.250 𝑀𝑀)(0.01000 𝐿𝐿) (0.150 𝑀𝑀)(0.00500 𝐿𝐿) --- ---
Change − 0.000750 -0.000750 + 0.000750 ---
Equilibrium 0.00175 0 0.000750 ---

Step 3: Check the last line in the equilibrium table and decide on how to calculate the final pH (buffer or
equivalence point or not a buffer)!

The only non-zero entries based on the last line of entry in the equilibrium table are HNO3 and NO3-.
This is NOT a buffer since HNO3 is a strong acid! Buffer solution must consist of only a weak acid and
its conjugate base OR a weak base with its conjugate acid.

Click here for a list of STRONG ACIDS AND BASES

HNO3 + H2 O → NO− +
3 + H3 O (HNO3 is a strong acid, so it dissociates completely)

HNO3 is a strong acid so its conjugate base, NO−

3 , is neutral (see question #8).

In other words, a mixture of HNO3 and NO3- is not a buffer. The equilibrium pH is simply defined only
by the strong acid (i.e. HNO3). The NO3- is neutral and has no effect on the pH. In general, a strong acid
has a Ka > 1.

Convert the equilibrium moles of HNO3 to molarity by dividing the value by the total volume of the
solution:

0.00175 𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚
[𝐻𝐻𝐻𝐻𝐻𝐻3 ] = [𝐻𝐻3 𝑂𝑂+ ] = = 0.117 𝑀𝑀
0.01500 𝐿𝐿

𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝 = − log(0.117) = 0.933

Tutorial on significant figures for logarithms and anti-logarithms (pH calculations):

[Link]

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 Answer Key

4. Step 1: Write the reaction: HA + OH− → 𝐴𝐴− + H2 O

Note: NaOH is a strong base. The “Na+” in NaOH is a spectator ion and it is not relevant to the reaction.

Step 2: Set up the equilibrium table based on the reaction (step 1) – we are using moles in the table
You can also set up the table using molarity (M). In this case, you will divide all the values shown
below in the equilibrium table by the total volume (in liter) of the solution.
Total volume = 30.00mL = 0.03000L (i.e. volume of HA + NaOH)

HA OH- A− H2O
Initial (moles) (0.200 𝑀𝑀)(0.02000 𝐿𝐿) (0.100 𝑀𝑀)(0.01000 𝐿𝐿) --- ---
Change − 0.00100 -0.00100 + 0.00100 ---
Equilibrium 0.00300 0 0.00100 ---

Step 3: Examine the last line in the equilibrium table and see what we have (buffer or equivalence point
or not a buffer)! The equilibrium line of the table indicated that the final solution consisted of both HA
and A-.

Recall from lecture that a typical strong acid has a Ka ≥1

-
HA is a weak acid (Ka≤1). Therefore, a mixture of HA and A forms a BUFFER solution.
-
A is the conjugate base of HA.

The equilibrium concentrations (M) of HA and A- in the buffer solution can be determined as follow:
Total volume = 30.00mL = 0.03000L (i.e. volume of HA + NaOH)

The moles are based on the values from the equilibrium line of the equilibrium table (see above).

0.00300 𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚
[𝐻𝐻𝐻𝐻] = = 0.100 𝑀𝑀
0.03000 𝐿𝐿

0.00100 𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚
[𝐴𝐴− ] = = 0.0333 𝑀𝑀
0.03000 𝐿𝐿

Since this is a buffer solution, we can use Henderson-Hasselbalch equation to solve for the pH

Henderson-Hasselbalch approach to solve for buffer pH (simply plug in the concentrations and Ka value
into the equation to solve for the pH. Remember that Henderson-Hasselbalch equation should only be
used to calculate the equilibrium pH for a buffer solution!

[𝐴𝐴− ] 0.0333𝑀𝑀
𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝 = 𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑎𝑎 + log � � = − log(1.0 × 10−5 ) + log � � = 𝟒𝟒. 𝟓𝟓𝟓𝟓
[𝐻𝐻𝐻𝐻] 0.100 𝑀𝑀

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 Answer Key

5. Step 1: Write the reaction: HA + OH− → 𝐴𝐴− + H2 O

Note: NaOH is a strong base. The “Na+” in NaOH is a spectator ion and it is not relevant to the reaction.

Step 2: Set up the equilibrium table based on the reaction (step 1) – we are using moles in the table
You can also set up the table using molarity (M). In this case, you will divide all the values shown
below in the equilibrium table by the total volume (in liter) of the solution.
Total volume = 40.00mL = 0.04000L (i.e. volume of HA + NaOH)

HA OH- A− H2O
Initial (moles) (0.200 𝑀𝑀)(0.02000 𝐿𝐿) (0.200 𝑀𝑀)(0.02000 𝐿𝐿) --- ---
Change − 0.00400 -0.00400 + 0.00400 ---
Equilibrium 0 0 0.00400 ---

Step 3: Examine the last line in the equilibrium table and see what we have (buffer or equivalence point
or not a buffer)! The equilibrium line of the table indicated that the final solution consisted of only A-.
This is at the equivalence point (not a buffer!) since all the HA reacted with all the OH- (zero for both
HA and A- based on the last line of entry in the equilibrium table).

Set up the hydrolysis equilibrium table at equivalence point (recall from lecture that at the equivalence
-
point, there is a final equilibrium table for the hydrolysis). Here is the hydrolysis of A in water (i.e. Kb
-
for the dissociation of A in water). In other words, the equivalence point pH is defined by the hydrolysis
of the conjugate base (A-) in water! We need to use K because OH- is one of the products! OH- is basic!
b

𝐴𝐴− + 𝐻𝐻2 𝑂𝑂 ↔ 𝐻𝐻𝐻𝐻 + 𝑂𝑂𝑂𝑂 − Kb

-
Concentration (M) of A at the equivalence point (use the moles obtained from the previous equilibrium
table):
Total volume = 40.00mL = 0.04000L (i.e. volume of HA + NaOH)

0.00400 𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚
[𝐴𝐴− ] = = 0.100 𝑀𝑀
0.0400 𝐿𝐿
-
This hydrolysis reaction corresponds to the Kb of A (i.e. conjugate base of HA)
A- H2O HA OH-
INITIAL 0.100 M --- --- ---
CHANGE −y --- +y +y
EQUILIBRIUM 0.100−y --- y y

“y” refers to the amount (in M) of dissociation of A- in the solution due to the hydrolysis.

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 Answer Key

5. We need to use Kb to solve for the pH due to the formation of the conjugate base at the equivalence point

We were only given Ka for HA. We know that Ka × Kb = Kw = 1.0×10-14

𝐾𝐾𝑤𝑤 1.0 × 10−14

𝐾𝐾𝑏𝑏 = = = 1.0 × 10−9
𝐾𝐾𝑎𝑎 1.0 × 10−5

[𝑂𝑂𝑂𝑂 − ][𝐻𝐻𝐻𝐻] (𝑦𝑦)(𝑦𝑦) 𝑦𝑦 2

𝐾𝐾𝑏𝑏 = 1.0 × 10−9 = = ≈ 𝑦𝑦 = 1.0 × 10−5 𝑀𝑀
[𝐴𝐴− ] (0.100 − 𝑦𝑦) (0.100)

Note: All the values that go into the Kb expression should be in molarity (not in moles!)

Check 5% Rule:
1.0×10−5 𝑀𝑀
0.100 𝑀𝑀
× 100% = 0.010% (Approximation valid; Dissociation is well below 5%!!)

𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝 = − log[𝑂𝑂𝑂𝑂 − ] = − log[1.0 × 10−5 ] = 𝟓𝟓. 𝟎𝟎𝟎𝟎

pH = 9.00

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 Answer Key

6. Step 1: Write the reaction: NH3 + H + → NH4+

Note: HCl is a strong acid! The Cl- is simply a spectator ion! There is no need to include Cl- in the reaction
shown above. Ammonia is a base and it can react with an acidic proton to form NH4+.

Step 2: Set up the equilibrium table – we are using moles in the table
You can also set up the table using molarity (M). In this case, you will divide all the values shown below
in the equilibrium table by the total volume (in liter) of the solution.

Total volume of the solution at the equivalence point

= 20.00mL + 40.00mL = 60.00mL = 0.06000L (i.e. volume of HCl and NH3)

NH3 H+ NH4+
Initial (moles) (0.200 𝑀𝑀)(0.02000 𝐿𝐿) (0.100 𝑀𝑀)(0.04000 𝐿𝐿) ---
Change − 0.00400 -0.00400 + 0.00400
Equilibrium 0 0 0.00400

Step 3: Examine the last line in the equilibrium table and see what we have (buffer or equivalence point or
not a buffer). This is at the equivalence point (zero for NH3 and zero for H+). All the NH3 were neutralized by
the H+ and converted to NH4+ at the equivalence point.

NH4+ (conjugate acid of NH3) is the only species exists at the equivalence point. This is NOT a buffer since
there is only one species left based on the last line of entry in the equilibrium table. The equivalence point pH
is defined by the hydrolysis of the NH4+ (a weak acid or the conjugate acid of NH3) in water.

Set up the hydrolysis equilibrium table at equivalence point (recall from lecture that at the equivalence point,
there is a final equilibrium table for the hydrolysis) Here is the hydrolysis of NH4+ in water (i.e. Ka for the
dissociation of NH4+ in water). In other words, the equivalence point pH is defined by the hydrolysis of the
conjugate acid (NH4+) in water! We need to use Ka because H3O+ is one of the products! H3O+ is acidic!

𝑁𝑁𝑁𝑁4+ + 𝐻𝐻2 𝑂𝑂 ↔ 𝑁𝑁𝑁𝑁3 + 𝐻𝐻3 𝑂𝑂+ Ka

Concentration (M) of NH4+ at the equivalence point (use the moles obtained from the previous equilibrium
table):

0.00400 𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚
[𝑁𝑁𝑁𝑁4+ ] = = 0.0667 𝑀𝑀
0.0600 𝐿𝐿
This hydrolysis reaction corresponds to the Ka of NH4+ (i.e. conjugate acid of NH3)
NH4+ H2O NH3 H3O+
INITIAL 0.0667 M --- --- ---
CHANGE −y --- +y +y
EQUILIBRIUM 0.0667 −y --- y y
“y” refers to the amount (in M) of dissociation of NH4+ in the solution due to the hydrolysis.

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 Answer Key
6.

We need to use Ka to solve for the pH due to the formation of a conjugate acid at the equivalence point.

We were only given Kb for ammonia. We know that Ka × Kb = Kw = 1.0×10-14

𝐾𝐾𝑤𝑤 1.0 × 10−14

𝐾𝐾𝑎𝑎 = = = 5.6 × 10−10
𝐾𝐾𝑏𝑏 1.8 × 10−5

−10
[𝐻𝐻3 𝑂𝑂+ ][𝑁𝑁𝑁𝑁3 ] (𝑦𝑦)(𝑦𝑦) 𝑦𝑦 2
𝐾𝐾𝑎𝑎 = 5.6 × 10 = = ≈ 𝑦𝑦 = 6.1 × 10−6 𝑀𝑀
[𝑁𝑁𝑁𝑁4+ ] (0.0667 − 𝑦𝑦) (0.0667)

Note: All the values that go into the Ka expression should be in molarity (not in moles!)

Check 5% Rule:
6.1×10−6 𝑀𝑀
0.0667 𝑀𝑀
× 100% = 0.0091% (Approximation valid; Dissociation is well below 5%!!)

𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝 = − log[𝐻𝐻3 𝑂𝑂+ ] = − log[6.1 × 10−6 ] = 𝟓𝟓. 𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐

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 Answer Key

7. Step 1: Write the reaction: NH3 + H + → NH4+

Note: HCl is a strong acid! The Cl- is simply a spectator ion! There is no need to include Cl- in the reaction
shown above. Ammonia is a base and it can react with an acidic proton to form NH4+.

Step 2: Set up the equilibrium table – we are using moles in the table
You can also set up the table using molarity (M). In this case, you will divide all the values shown below
in the equilibrium table by the total volume (in liter) of the solution.

Total volume of the solution at the equivalence point

= 20.00mL + 10.00mL = 30.00mL = 0.03000L (i.e. volume of HCl and NH3)

NH3 H+ NH4+
Initial (moles) (0.200 𝑀𝑀)(0.02000 𝐿𝐿) (0.100 𝑀𝑀)(0.01000 𝐿𝐿) ---
Change − 0.00100 -0.00100 + 0.00100
Equilibrium 0.00300 0 0.00100

Step 3: Examine the last line in the equilibrium table and see what we have (buffer or equivalence point or not
a buffer)! The equilibrium line of the table indicated that the final solution consisted of both NH and NH +.
3 4

Recall from lecture that a typical strong base has a Kb ≥1

+
NH3 is a weak base (Kb≤1). Therefore, a mixture of NH3 and NH4 forms a BUFFER solution.
+
NH4 is the conjugate acid of NH3.
+
The equilibrium concentrations (M) of NH3 and NH4 in the buffer solution can be determined as follow:
Total volume = 30.00mL = 0.03000L (i.e. volume of HCl + NaOH)

The moles are based on the values from the equilibrium line of the equilibrium table (see above).

0.00300 𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚
[𝑁𝑁𝑁𝑁3 ] = = 0.100 𝑀𝑀
0.03000 𝐿𝐿

0.00100 𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚
�𝑁𝑁𝑁𝑁4 + � = = 0.0333 𝑀𝑀
0.03000 𝐿𝐿

Since this is a buffer solution, we can use Henderson-Hasselbalch equation to solve for the pH

Henderson-Hasselbalch approach to solve for buffer pH (simply plug in the concentrations and Ka value into
the equation to solve for the pH.
Need to covert Kb to Ka Kw = KaKb = 1.0×10-14 Ka = Kw/Kb

[𝑁𝑁𝑁𝑁3 ] 1.0 × 10−14 0.100𝑀𝑀

𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝 = 𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑎𝑎 + log � + � = − log � −5 � + log � � = 𝟗𝟗. 𝟕𝟕𝟕𝟕
�𝑁𝑁𝑁𝑁4 � 1.8 × 10 0.0333 𝑀𝑀

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 Answer Key

8. A buffer mixture must consist of a weak acid and its conjugate base or a weak base and its conjugate acid.

A solution consists of a strong acid and its conjugate base or a strong base and its conjugate acid is NOT a
buffer.

Correct choices:
NH4Cl / NH3
K2CO3 / NaHCO3

9.
a. Kb = Kw/Ka = 10-14 / 102 = 10-16

b. No, the resulting mixture is NOT a buffer since nitric acid is a strong acid (Ka is in the order to around
-
102). The conjugate base of nitric acid (i.e. nitrate ion or NO3 ) is technically “neutral” (Kb is around 10-16
so it is practically zero). In other words, the conjugate base of a strong acid is neutral (i.e. not a base at
all!). Refer to the previous question for a list of common strong acids / strong bases.

10.
a. Final products are H2O AND a weak base (or conjugate base of a weak acid) (Overall pH is basic or > 7)

Note: We did an example in lecture on titration using a weak acid and a strong base. We also calculated
the equivalence pH as well. The calculated equivalence pH was greater than 7 due to the formation of the
conjugate base of the weak acid at the equivalence point.

b. Final products are H2O AND a weak acid (or conjugate acid of a weak base) (Overall pH is acidic or < 7)

Note: A titration of weak base and a strong acid involves the exact same concepts as the one we did with a
weak acid and a strong base. The only difference is that all the steps will be “reversed” in a weak
base/strong acid titration as compared to a weak acid/strong base titration.

c. Final products are H2O AND a neutral salt (Overall pH = 7)

Remember that conjugate base of a strong acid is technically neutral. The conjugate acid of a strong
base is also neutral. Therefore, the salt that formed from a reaction between a strong acid and strong
base is also neutral!

11. The pH reading at the half equivalence point on the titration graph is the pKa for a weak acid.
This is true also for a titration between a weak monoacidic base and a strong acid, except that one will need to
subtract the pKa from 14 to determine the pKb of the weak monoacidic base.

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 12.

Suppose that the amount of dissociation is z. X, Y are the INITIAL concentration of the HA and A- respectively.
Set up the equilibrium table in terms of X, Y and z.

+ -
HA + HOH = H3O + A

I X ----- ----- Y
C -z ----- +z +z
E X-z ----- +z Y+z

X,Y & z have units of M.

- +
Ka = [A ] [H3O ] / [HA] = (Y+z)(z) / (X-z)

-5
If Ka is less than or equal to 10 , we can then assume that z<<Y & z<<X; therefore,

Ka (Y)(z) / X

Take the –log on BOTH SIDE OF THE EQUATION: -log Ka = -log ( (Y)(z) / X) = -log Y –log z + log X

This equation can now be simply to (using the definitions of pKa and pH):

pKa = -log Y +pH + log X

pH = pKa + log Y - log X = pKa + log (Y/X)

-
pH = pKa + log {[A ] / [HA]}

As you can see from the derivation to derive the final form of the Henderson-Hasselbalch equation, one
needs to assume the weak acid in the buffer has a Ka of 10-5 or less.

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