Question:easy

Equal volumes of \(0.5 \, N\) acetic acid and \(0.5 \, N\) sodium acetate are mixed. What is the pH of resultant solution?
\[ (pK_a \text{ of acetic acid } = 4.75) \]

Show Hint

For a buffer solution: \[ pH=pK_a+\log\frac{[\text{Salt}]}{[\text{Acid}]} \] If concentrations of acid and salt are equal, then: \[ pH=pK_a \]
Updated On: Jun 15, 2026
  • \(4.85\)
  • \(4.65\)
  • \(4.75\)
  • \(7.0\)
Show Solution

The Correct Option is C

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Recognise the mixture.
Acetic acid is a weak acid and sodium acetate is its conjugate salt, so mixing them produces an acidic buffer solution.
Step 2: Recall the Henderson equation.
For an acidic buffer, $pH = pK_a + \log\dfrac{[\text{salt}]}{[\text{acid}]}$.
Step 3: Compare the amounts mixed.
Equal volumes of $0.5\,N$ acid and $0.5\,N$ salt are mixed, so after mixing both are diluted by the same factor and remain equal in concentration.
Step 4: Form the ratio.
Hence $\dfrac{[\text{salt}]}{[\text{acid}]} = 1$.
Step 5: Evaluate the logarithm.
Since $\log 1 = 0$, the equation becomes $pH = pK_a + 0 = 4.75$.
Step 6: State the answer.
The pH of the resultant solution is $4.75$, which is option (3). \[ \boxed{4.75} \]
Was this answer helpful?
0