Find the pH of these buffer solutions using the information provided: 1L solution containing 80g of lactic acid (MW

pH of the solution is 2.0

Explanation:

The lactic acid is a weak acid that is in equilibrium with water as follows:

Lactic acid + H2O ⇄ Lactate + H₃O⁺

And Ka for lactic acid: 1.38x10⁻⁴

Ka = 1.38x10⁻⁴ = [Lactate] [H₃O⁺] / [Lactic acid]

Initial concentration of lactic acid is (MW: 112.06g/mol):

80g * (1mol / 112.06g) / 1L = 0.714M

The equilibrium concentration of the species in the equilibrium are:

[Lactate] = X

[H₃O⁺] = X

[Lactic acid] = 0.714-X

Replacing in Ka expression:

1.38x10⁻⁴ = [X] [X] / [0.714-X]

9.8532x10⁻⁵ -  1.38x10⁻⁴X = X²

9.8532x10⁻⁵ -  1.38x10⁻⁴X - X² = 0

Solving for X:

X = -1.0x10⁻². False solution, there is no negative concentrations

X = 9.86x10⁻³M. Right solution.

As [H₃O⁺] = X

[H₃O⁺] = 9.86x10⁻³M

and pH = -log [H₃O⁺] = -log 9.86x10⁻³M

pH = 2.0

the answer is b because, investigating whether another species of moth also drinks tears might be interesting, but it would not directly explain why this species of moth does.

to explain why this species of moth drinks tears, the scientist could ask: "what nutrients that moths need are in elephant tears? "

the scientist could experiment with moth repellent or oter ways to keep the moths away, but that would not answer his original question.