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Phosphate buffers are commonly used in biological research. If a small amount of

ID: 557203 • Letter: P

Question

Phosphate buffers are commonly used in biological research. If a small amount of strong acid is added to a buffer solution that is 0.700 M H3PO4 and 0.700 M KH2PO4, which of the following statements is true?

Choose one:

A) [H3PO4] will increase, [KH2PO4] will decrease, and pH will slightly decrease.

B) [H3PO4] will increase, [KH2PO4] will decrease, and pH will not change.

C) [H3PO4] will decrease, [KH2PO4] will increase, and pH will slightly decrease.

D) [H3PO4] will decrease, [KH2PO4] will increase, and pH will slightly increase.

E) [H3PO4] will increase, [KH2PO4] will decrease, and pH will slightly increase.

F) [H3PO4] will decrease, [KH2PO4] will increase, and pH will not change

Explanation / Answer

answer :

A) [H3PO4] will increase, [KH2PO4] will decrease, and pH will slightly decrease

explanation :

on addition of strong acid to the buffer . the acid concentration will increases and salt concentration will decreases

so the ratio of salt/ acid will decreases as a results pH decreases

pH = pKa + log [KH2PO4 -C / H3PO4 + C]

here C = acid concentration ( strong)