Chapter 11 – Isotonic and Buffer Solutions

Calculations of Tonicity
1. Isotonic sodium chloride solution contains 0.9% w/v sodium chloride. If the E-value of
boric acid is 0.52, calculate the percentage strength (w/v) of an isotonic solution of boric
acid.
0.9 %
=1.73 %
0.52

2. Sodium chloride is a 2-ion electrolyte, dissociating 90% in a certain concentration.

Calculate (a) its dissociation factor and (b) the freezing point of a molal solution.
m.w. NaCl = 58.5
a. 90% dissociation  100 molecules yield 190 particles
190
dissociation factor , i= =1.9
100

b. 1 molal of a nonelectrolyte (i = 1) produces a freezing point of -1.86°C,

therefore a 1 molal solution of sodium chloride would produce a freezing point
of -1.86°C × 1.9 = -3.53°C

3. A solution of anhydrous dextrose (m.w. 180) contains 25 g in 500 mL of water. Calculate

the freezing point of the solution.
25 g dextrose 1 mol
× ×1000 g water =0.28 mol dextrose∈1000 g water
500 g water 180 g
−1.86 ℃ × 0.28 molal=−0.52 ℃

4. Procaine hydrochloride (m.w. 273) is a 2-ion electrolyte, dissociating 80% in a certain

concentration.
a. Calculate its dissociation factor.
80% dissociation  100 molecules yield 180 particles
180
i= =1.8
100

b. Calculate its sodium chloride equivalent.

58.5× 1.8
=0.21
1.8× 273

c. Calculate the freezing point of a molal solution of procaine hydrochloride

−1.86 ℃ ×1.8=−3.35 ℃

5. The freezing point of a molal solution of a nonelectrolyte is −1.86°C. What is the

freezing point of a 0.1% solution of zinc chloride (m.w. 136), dissociating 80%? (For
lack of more definite information, assume that the volume of the molal solution is
approximately 1 liter.)
80% dissociation  100 molecules yield 260 particles since ZnCl2 is a 3-ion electrolyte
 260
i= =2.6
100
0.1 g ZnCl 2 1 mol
× × 1000 mL=0.0074 mol∈1000 mL ≈ 0.0074 molal
100 mL 136 g
−1.86 ℃ ×2.6 × 0.0074 molal=−0.036 ℃

6.
Rx Ephedrine sulfate 0.3 g
Sodium chloride qs
Purified water ad 30 mL
Make isoton. sol.
Sig. use as directed
How many milligrams of sodium chloride should be used in compounding the prescription?
Step 1:
1000 mg
0.3 g × ×0.2=60 mg NaCl represented by 0.3 g of Ephedrine SO 4
g
Step 2:
0.9 g 1000 mg
× 30 mL × =270 mg NaCl eq
100 mL g
Step 3:
270 mg−60 mg=210 mg NaCl ¿ add

7.
Rx Benoxinate hydrochloride 0.4% w/v
Fluorescein sodium 0.25% w/v
Sodium chloride qs
Purified water qs 30 mL
Make isoton. sol.
Sig. use in the eye
How much sodium chloride should be used in compounding the prescription?
Step 1:
0.4 g 1000 mg
Benoxinate HCl: × ×30 mL=120 mg ×0.17=20.4 mg NaCl eq
100 mL g
0.25 g 1000 mg
Fluorescein Na : × × 30 mL=75 mg× 0.31=23.25 mg NaCl eq
100 mL g
Total=20.4 mg+ 23.25 mg=43.65 mg NaCl eq
Step 2:
0.9 g 1000 mg
× 30 mL × =270 mg NaCl eq
100 mL g
Step 3:
270 mg−43.65 mg=226.35 mg NaCl ¿ add

8.
Rx Zinc sulfate 0.06 g
Boric acid qs
Purified water ad 30 mL
 Make isoton. sol.
Sig. drop in eyes
How much boric acid should be used in compounding the prescription?
Step 1:
1000 mg
0.06 g × ×0.16=9.6 mg NaCl eq
g
Step 2:
0.9 g 1000 mg
× 30 mL × =270 mg NaCl eq
100 mL g
Step 3:
270 mg−9.6 mg=260.4 mg NaCl
Step 4:
260.4 mg NaCl
=500.77 mg boric acid ¿ add
0.52

9.
Rx Cromolyn sodium 4% (w/v)
Benzalkonium chloride 1:10,000 (w/v)
Buffer solution (pH 5.6) qs
Water for injection ad 10 mL
Sig. one (1) drop in each eye b.i.d.
How many milliliters of the buffer solution (E = 0.30) should be used to render the
solution isotonic? (For lack of more definite information, assume that the specific gravity
of the buffer solution is 1.)
Step 1:
4g 1000 mg
Cromolyn Na : × ×10 mL=400 mg× 0.14=56 mg NaCl eq
100 mL g
1g 1000 mg
BenzalkoniumCl : × ×10 mL=1 mg x 0.16=0.16 mg NaCl eq
10,000 mL g
Total=56 mg+0.16 mg=56.16 mg NaCl eq
Step 2:
0.9 g 1000 mg
× 10 mL × =90 mg NaCl eq
100 mL g
Step 3:
90 mg−56.16 mg=33.84 mg NaCl
Step 4:
33.84 mg 1g 1 mL
=112.8mg buffer soln × × =0.113 mL
0.3 1000 mg g
10.
Dextrose, anhydrous 2.5%
Sodium chloride qs
Sterile water for injection ad 1000 mL
Label: Isotonic dextrose and saline solution
How many grams of sodium chloride should be used in preparing the solution?
Step 1:
2.5 g
× 1000 mL=25 g × 0.18=4.5 g NaCl eq
100 mL
Step 2:
0.9 g
× 1000 mL=9 g NaCl eq
100 mL
Step 3:
9 g−4.5 g=4.5 g NaCl ¿ add

11. A sterile ophthalmic solution contains 2% w/v sulfacetamide sodium (E = 0.25) in a 5-

mL container. Calculate the quantity of sodium chloride required for isotonicity.
Step 1:
2g 1000 mg
× 5 mL × =100 mg× 0.25=25 mg NaCl eq
100 mL g
Step 2:
0.9 g 1000 mg
× 5 mL × =45 mg NaCl eq
100 mL g
Step 3:
45 mg−25 mg=20 mg NaCl required

12. Calculate the effective quantity (g) of sodium chloride related to tonicity in 100 mL of an
intravenous fluid labeled “5% dextrose in 0.45% sodium chloride,” and indicate whether
the solution is isotonic, hypotonic, or hypertonic.
5 g dextrose
×100 mL × 0.18=0.9 g NaCl eq
100 mL
0.45 g NaCl
×100 mL=0.45 g NaCl
100 mL
0.9 g+0.45 g=1.35 g total NaCl ∈100 mL=1.35 % (hypertonic )

13.
Rx Brimonidine tartrate 30 mg
Timolol maleate 75 mg
Chlorobutanol 50 mg
Sodium chloride qs
Purified water qs 15 mL
Make isoton. sol.
Sig. for the eye
How many milligrams of sodium chloride should be used in compounding the
prescription?
Step 1:
 Brimonidine :30 mg× 0.13=3.9 mg NaCl eq
Timolol :75 mg ×0.14=10.5 mg NaCl eq
Chlorobutanol :50 mg× 0.24=12 mg NaCl eq
Total=26.4 mg NaCl eq
Step 2:
0.9 g 1000 mg
× × 15 mL=135 mg NaCl eq
100 mL g
Step 3:
135 mg−26.4 mg=108.6 mg NaCl ¿ add

14.
Rx Tetracaine hydrochloride 0.1 g
Zinc sulfate 0.05 g
Boric acid qs
Purified water ad 30 mL
Make isoton. sol.
Sig. drop in eye
How much boric acid should be used in compounding the prescription?
Step 1:
1000 mg
Tetracaine :0.1 g × × 0.18=18 mg NaCl eq
g
1000 mg
ZnSO 4 : 0.05 g × × 0.16=8 mg NaCl eq
g
Total=26 mg NaCl eq
Step 2:
0.9 g 1000 mg
× 30 mL × =270 mg NaCl eq
100 mL g
Step 3:
270 mg−26 mg=244 mg NaCl
Step 4:
244 mg
=469.23 mg boric acid ¿ add
0.52

15.
Rx Sol. homatropine hydrobromide 1% 15 mL
Make isoton. sol. with boric acid
Sig. for the eye
How many milligrams of boric acid should be used in compounding the prescription?
Step 1:
1g 1000 mg
× × 15 mL=150 mg× 0.17=25.5 mg NaCl eq
100 mL g
Step 2:
0.9 g 1000 mg
× 15 mL × =135 mg NaCl eq
100 mL g
Step 3:
135 mg−25.5 mg=109.5 mg NaCl
 Step 4:
109.5 mg
=210.58 mgboric acid ¿ add
0.52

16.
Rx Procaine Hydrochloride 1%
Sodium Chloride qs
Sterile Water for Injection ad 100
Make isoton. sol.
Sig. For injection.
How many grams of sodium chloride should be used in compounding the prescription?
Step 1:
1g 1000 mg
× 100 mL=1 g × × 0.21=210 mg NaCl eq
100 mL g
Step 2:
0.9 g 1000 mg
× × 100 mL=900 mg NaCl eq
100 mL g
Step 3:
1g
900 mg−210 mg=690 mg × =0.69 g NaCl ¿ add
1000 mg

17.
Rx Phenylephrine hydrochloride 1%
Chlorobutanol 0.5%
Sodium chloride qs
Purified water ad 15 mL
Make isoton. sol.
Sig. use as directed
How many milliliters of a 0.9% solution of sodium chloride should be used in
compounding the prescription?
Step 1:
1g 1000 mg
Phenylephrine : × ×15 mL=150 mg× 0.32=48 mg NaCl eq
100 mL g
0.5 g 1000 mg
Chlorobutanol : × ×15 mL=75 mg ×0.24=18 mg NaCl eq
100 mL g
Total=48 mg+ 18 mg=66 mg NaCl eq
Step 2:
0.9 g 1000 mg
× × 15 mL=135 mg NaCl eq
100 mL g
Step 3:
135 mg−66 mg=69 mg NaCl ¿ add
1g 100 mL
69 mg NaCl× × =7.67 mL
1000 mg 0.9 g

18.
Rx Oxymetazoline hydrochloride ½%
 Boric acid solution qs
Purified water ad 15 mL
Make isoton. sol.
Sig. for the nose, as decongestant
How many milliliters of a 5% solution of boric acid should be used in compounding the
prescription?
Step 1:
0.5 g 1000 mg
× × 15 mL=75 mg× 0.22=16.5 mg NaCl eq
100 mL g
Step 2:
0.9 g 1000 mg
× × 15 mL=135 mg NaCl eq
100 mL g
Step 3:
135 mg−16.5 mg=118.5mg NaCl
Step 4:
118.5mg
=227.88 mg boric acid
0.52
1g 100 mL
227.88 mg × × =4.56 mL
1000 mg 5g

19.
Rx Ephedrine hydrochloride 0.5 g
Chlorobutanol 0.25 g
Dextrose, monohydrate qs
Rose water ad 50 mL
Make isoton. sol.
Sig. nose drops
How many grams of dextrose monohydrate should be used in compounding the
prescription?
Note: You must assume that the rose water does not affect the tonicity
Step 1:
1000 mg
Ephedrine HCl: 0.5 g × × 0.29=145 mg NaCl eq
g
1000 mg
Chlorobutanol :0.25 g× ×0.24=60 mg NaCl eq
g
Total :145 mg+60 mg=205 mg NaCl eq
Step 2:
0.9 g 1000 mg
× × 50 mL=450 mg NaCl eq
100 mL g
Step 3:
450 mg−205 mg=245 mg NaCl
Step 4:
245 mg 1g
× =1.53 g dextrose monohydrate ¿ add
0.16 1000 mg

20.
Rx Naphazoline hydrochloride 1%
Sodium chloride qs
Purified water ad 30 mL
Make isoton. sol.
Sig. use as directed in the eye
How many milligrams of sodium chloride should be used in compounding the
prescription? Use the freezing point depression method or the sodium chloride equivalent
method.
Freezing point method:
ΔT = 0.16°C for naphazoline (See Table 11.3)
0.52 °C−0.16 ° C=0.36 ° C
1% 0.58 ° C
=
x 0.36 ° C
x = 0.62% NaCl
0.62 g 1000 mg
× 30 mL × =186.21mg NaCl ¿ add
100 mL g
Sodium chloride equivalent method:
Step 1:
1g 1000 mg
× × 30 mL=300 mg× 0.27=81 mg NaCl eq
100 mL g
Step 2:
0.9 g 1000 mg
× 30 mL × =270 mg NaCl eq
100 mL g
Step 3:
270 mg−81mg=189 mg NaCl ¿ add

21.
Rx Moxifloxacin hydrochloride 110 mg
Chlorobutanol 50 mg
Sodium chloride qs
Purified water ad 20 mL
Make isoton. sol.
Sig. eye drops
How many milligrams of sodium chloride should be used in compounding the
prescription?
Step 1:
Moxifloxacin :110 mg× 0.13=14.3 mg NaCl eq
Chlorobutanol :50 mg× 0.24=12 mg NaCl eq
Total :14.3 mg+12 mg=26.3 mg NaCl eq
Step 2:
0.9 g 1000 mg
× 20 mL × =180 mg NaCl eq
100 mL g
Step 3:
180 mg−26.3 mg=153.7 mg NaCl ¿ add
22. How many milligrams of sodium chloride may be used in the preparation of 15 mL of an
eye drop containing 1% tropicamide and 0.5% chlorobutanol to render the solution
isotonic with tears?
a. 18 mg
b. 31.5 mg
c. 103.5 mg
d. 135 mg
Step 1:
1g 1000 mg
Tropicamid e : × ×15 mL=150 mg× 0.09=13.5 mg NaCl eq
100 mL g
0.5 g 1000 mg
Chlorobutanol : × ×15 mL=75 mg ×0.24=18 mg NaCl eq
100 mL g
Total=13.5 mg+18 mg=31.5 mg NaCl eq
Step 2:
0.9 g 1000 mg
× 15 mL × =135 mg NaCl eq
100 mL g
Step 3:
135 mg−31.5 mg=103.5 mg NaCl ( c )

23.
Monobasic sodium phosphate, anhydrous 5.6 g
Dibasic sodium phosphate, anhydrous 2.84 g
Sodium chloride qs
Purified water ad 1000 mL
Label: Isotonic buffer solution, pH 6.5
How many grams of sodium chloride should be used in preparing the solution?
Step 1:
Na H 2 PO 4 :5.6 g × 0.49=2.744 g NaCl eq
Na2 HPO 4 :2.84 g ×0.53=1.5052 g NaCl eq
Total=2.744 g+ 1.5052 g=4.2492 g
Step 2:
0.9 g
1000 mL × =9 g NaCl eq
100 mL
Step 3:
9 g−4.2492 g=4.75 g NaCl ¿ add

24. How many grams of anhydrous dextrose should be used in preparing 1 liter of a ½%
isotonic ephedrine sulfate nasal spray?
Step 1:
0.5 g
× 1000 mL=5 g × 0.2=1 g NaCl eq
100 mL
Step 2:
0.9 g
1000 mL × =9 g NaCl eq
100 mL
Step 3:
9 g−1 g=8 g NaCl
 Step 4:
8g
=44.44 g dextrose¿ add
0.18

25.
Rx Xylometazoline hydrochloride 0.8% w/v
Chlorobutanol 0.5% w/v
Purified water qs 100 mL
Make isoton. sol. and buffer to pH 6.5
Sig. nose drops
You have on hand an isotonic buffered solution, pH 6.5. How many milliliters of purified
water and how many milliliters of the buffered solution should be used in compounding
the prescription?
0.8 g
Xylometazoline : × 100 mL=0.8 g × 0.21=0.168 g NaCl eq
100 mL
0.5 g
Chlorobutanol : ×100 mL=0.5 g × 0.24=0.12 g NaCl eq
100 mL
Total amt of NaCl represented by drugs=0.168 g+ 0.12 g=0.288 g
Since 0.9% NaCl is isotonic, then the amount of water to add is the amount
needed to make 0.288 g of NaCl equivalent isotonic.
100 mL soln
0.288 g NaCl eq × =32 mL soln
0.9 g NaCl
Amount of water to add: q.s. 32 mL
Assuming that the buffer solution is aqueous, the amount to add is:
100 mL−32 mL=68 mL

26.
Rx Tobramycin 0.75%
Tetracaine hydrochloride Sol. 2% 15 mL
Sodium chloride qs
Purified water ad 30 mL
Make isoton. sol.
Sig. for the eye
The 2% solution of tetracaine hydrochloride is already isotonic. How many milliliters of a
0.9% solution of sodium chloride should be used in compounding the prescription?
0.75 g 1000 mg
Tobramycin : × ×30 mL=225 mg ×0.07=15.75 mg NaCl eq
100 mL g
Since 15 mL of the solution is already isotonic with the addition of the
tetracaine solution:
30 mL total mixture−15 mL tetracaine solution=15 mL remaining ¿ be madeisotonic
0.9 g 1000 mg
× 15 mL × =135 mg NaCl eq
100 mL g
135 mg−15.75 mg=119.25 mg NaCl ¿ add
1g 100 mL
119.25 mg × × =13.25 mL
1000 mg 0.9 g
27. Determine if the following commercial products are hypotonic, isotonic, or hypertonic:
a. An ophthalmic solution containing 40 mg/mL of cromolyn sodium and 0.01% of
benzalkonium chloride in purified water.
0.9% or 0.9 g/100 mL NaCl is isotonic
0.9 g 1000 mg
× =9 mg /mL
100 mL g
40 mg
Cromolyn sodium : × 0.14=5.6 mg/mL
mL
0.01 g 1000 mg 0.1mg
Benzalkoniumchloride : × = ×0.16=0.016 mg/mL
100 mL g mL
5.6 mg/mL +0.016 mg/mL=5.616 mg/mL <9 mg/mL Hypotonic
b. A parenteral infusion containing 20% (w/v) of mannitol.
20 g 3.6 g 0.9 g
× 0.18= > Hypertonic
100 mL 100 mL 100 mL
c. A 500-mL large volume parenteral containing D5W (5% w/v of anhydrous
dextrose in sterile water for injection).
5g 0.9 g
× 0.18= Isotonic
100 mL 100 mL

28. For agents having the following sodium chloride equivalents, calculate the percentage
concentration of an isotonic solution:
a. 0.20
0.9% NaCl is isotonic; therefore, to calculate the concentration of an isotonic
solution of another substance, this concentration is divided by its sodium
chloride equivalent.
0.9 %
=4.5 %
0.2
b. 0.32
0.9 %
=2.81 %
0.32
c. 0.61
0.9 %
=1.48 %
0.61

29. How many milliliters each of purified water and an isotonic sodium chloride solution
should be used to prepare 30 mL of a 1% w/v isotonic solution of fentanyl citrate (E =
0.11)?
1g 1000 mg
Fentanyl : × × 30 mL=300 mg× 0.11=33 mg NaCl eq
100 mL g
0.9 g 1000 mg
× 30 mL × =270 mg NaCl eq
100 mL g
270 mg NaCl−33 mg NaCl eq=237 mg NaCl ¿ add
1g 100 mL
237 mg NaCl × × =26.33 mL isotonic NaCl soln
1000 mg 0.9 g NaCl
Water q.s. to 30 mL
 Or, assuming volumes are additive and that the fentanyl displaces a negligible
volume:
30 mL total−26.33 mL NaCl soln=3.67 mL water

30. Using the E-values in Table 11.1, calculate the number of milliliters of water required to
make an isotonic solution from 0.3 g of each of the following:
a. Antipyrine
0.3 g ×0.17=0.051 g NaCl eq
100 mL
0.051 g NaCl eq × =5.67 mL
0.9 g
q.s. to 5.67 mL with water
b. Chlorobutanol
0.3 g ×0.24=0.072 g NaCl eq
100 mL
0.072 g NaCl eq × =8 mL
0.9 g
q.s. to 8 mL with water
c. Ephedrine sulfate
0.3 g ×0.2=0.06 g NaCl eq
100 mL
0.06 g NaCl eq × =6.67 mL
0.9 g
q.s. to 6.67 mL with water
d. Silver nitrate
0.3 g ×0.33=0.099 g NaCl eq
100 mL
0.099 g NaCl eq × =11 mL
0.9 g
q.s. to 11 mL with water
e. Zinc sulfate
0.3 g ×0.16=0.048 g NaCl eq
100 mL
0.048 g NaCl eq × =5.33 mL
0.9 g
q.s. to 5.33 mL with water

31. Calculate the E-values for each of the following, given that the number of milliliters of
water shown will produce an isotonic solution from 0.3 g of drug substance.
a. Apomorphine hydrochloride, 4.7 mL water
0.9 g
4.7 mL × =0.0423 g NaCl eq
100 mL
0.0423 g NaCl eq
=0.14
0.3 g
b. Aminocaproic acid, 8.7 mL water
0.9 g
8.7 mL × =0.0783 g NaCl eq
100 mL
0.0783 g NaCl eq
=0.26
0.3 g
c. Prilocaine hydrochloride, 7.7 mL water
 0.9 g
7.7 mL × =0.0693 g NaCl eq
100 mL
0.0693 g NaCl eq
=0.23
0.3 g
d. Procainamide hydrochloride, 7.3 mL water
0.9 g
7.3 mL × =0.0657 g NaCl eq
100 mL
0.0657 g NaCl eq
=0.22
0.3 g
e. Gentamicin sulfate, 1.7 mL water
0.9 g
1.7 mL × =0.0153 g NaCl eq
100 mL
0.0153 g NaCl eq
=0.051
0.3 g

32. COSOPT ophthalmic solution contains dorzolamide hydrochloride 22.26 mg/mL, timolol
maleate 6.83 mg/mL, benzalkonium chloride 0.0075% w/v, and mannitol for tonicity.13
Dorzolamide hydrochloride has a molecular weight of 360.91 and is a 2-ion electrolyte
that dissociates 78% in a certain concentration. The E-values for the other ingredients can
be found in Table 11.1. How much of each ingredient would be needed to prepare enough
solution to fill five hundred 10-mL bottles?
For dorzolamide HCl:
100 molecules 78+78+22=178 molecules
178
i= =1.78
100

( )(
E - value=
58.5
1.8
×
1.78
360.91)=0.16

Volume of solution to prepare:

10 mL
500 bottles × =5000 mL
bottle

Dorzolamide HCl:
22.26 mg 1g
× ×5000 mL=111.3 g ×0.16=17.84 g NaCl eq
mL 1000 mg
Timolol maleate:
6.83 mg 1g
× ×5000 mL=34.15 g ×0.14=4.78 g NaCl eq
mL 1000 mg
Benzalkonium Cl:
0.0075 g 1000 mg 1g
× ×5000 mL=375 mg × ×0.16=0.06 g NaCl eq
100 mL g 1000 mg
Total=17.84 g+ 4.78 g+0.06 g=22.68 g NaCl eq

0.9 g
× 5000 mL=45 g NaCl total
100 mL
45 g−22.68 g=22.32 g NaCl ¿ add
 22.32 g
=123.99 g mannitol
0.18

Calculations of Buffer Solutions

33. The dissociation constant of ethanolamine is 2.77 × 10−5 at 25°C. Calculate its pK b
value.
−5
pK b=−log (2.77 ×10 )=4.56

34. What is the pH of a buffer solution prepared with 0.055 M sodium acetate and 0.01 M
acetic acid? The pKa value of acetic acid is 4.76 at 25°C.
pH=4.76+log ( 0.055 M
0.01 M )=4.76+ 0.74=5.5

35. What molar ratio of salt to acid would be required to prepare a buffer solution with a pH
of 4.5? The pKa value of the acid is 4.05 at 25°C.
4.5=4.05+log ( )
salt
acid
0.45=log ( )
salt
acid
salt
2.82=
acid
Ratio = 2.82:1

36. What is the change in pH on adding 0.02 mol of sodium hydroxide to a liter of a buffer
solution containing 0.5 M of sodium acetate and 0.5 M acetic acid? The pKa value of
acetic acid is 4.76 at 25°C.
pH 1=4.76 +log (0.5 M
0.5 M )
=4.76

pH 2=4.76 +log ( 0.5 M +0.02 M

0.5 M −0.02 M )
=4.76+ log ( )
0.52
0.48
=4.79
∆ pH=4.79−4.76=0.03

37. The molar ratio of salt to acid needed to prepare a sodium acetate–acetic acid buffer
solution is 1:1. Assuming that the total buffer concentration is 0.1 mol/L, how many
grams of sodium acetate (m.w. 82) should be used in preparing 2 liters of the solution?
0.1 mol
× 2 L=0.2 mol
L
1:1 ratio = 0.1 mol sodium acetate and 0.1 mol acetic acid
82 g
0.1 mol × =8.2 g
mol

38. What is the change in pH with the addition of 0.01 mol hydrochloric acid to a liter of a
buffer solution containing 0.05 M of ammonia and 0.05 M of ammonium chloride? The
Kb value of ammonia is 1.80 × 10−5 at 25°C.
 −5
pK b=−log (1.8 ×10 )=4.74
pH 1=( 14−4.74 ) +log (
0.05 M
0.05 M
=9.26)
pH 2=( 14−4.74 ) +log (
0.05 M −0.01 M
0.05 M +0.01 M
=9.08 )
∆ pH=9.26−9.08=0.18

39. Calculate the pH of the following buffer:

Sodium phosphate, dibasic 6.2 g
Sodium phosphate, monobasic 4.5 g
Water qs 1000 mL
The pKa value of sodium phosphate monobasic is 7.21 at 25°C and serves as an acid in
this buffer because it is more acidic than sodium phosphate dibasic. The molecular
weight of sodium phosphate monobasic is 120 and of sodium phosphate dibasic is 142.
4.5 g 1000 mL 1 mol
Acid : × × =0.0375 mol/ L
1000 mL L 120 g
6.2 g 1000 mL 1 mol
Base : × × =0.0437 mol/ L
1000 mL L 142 g
pH=7.21+ log ( 0.0437 M
0.0375 M
=7.28)
40. What is the pH change in the buffer in problem 39 if 3 mL of a 5-M hydrochloric acid
solution are added to the buffer? Assume negligible volume displacement by the
hydrochloric acid solution.
5 mol
3 mL × =0.015 mol HCl added ¿1 L of buffer=0.015 M
1000 mL
pH=7.21+ log ( 0.0437 M −0.015 M
0.0375 M + 0.015 M
=6.95 )
∆ pH=7.28−6.95=0.33