Question

What ratio of sodium acetate to acetic acid should be used to prepare a buffer with pH = 4.5? (hint: what is the pKa of acetic acid? What equation incorporates pH, pKa, and the ratio?)

1.6 parts sodium acetate to 1.0 part acetic acid.

0.20 parts sodium acetate to 1.0 part acetic acid.

0.57 parts sodium acetate to 1.0 part acetic acid.

We cannot determine the pH of the buffer solution unless we know the actual concentrations of the buffer components.