A physician wishes to prepare a buffer solution at pH = 3.58 that efficiently resists a change in pH — Ionic Equilibrium Chemistry Question
Question
A physician wishes to prepare a buffer solution at pH = 3.58 that efficiently resists a change in pH yet contains only small concentrations of the buffering agents. Which one of the following weak acid together with its sodium salt would be best to use?
Answer: D
💡 Solution & Explanation
A buffer operates most efficiently when the desired pH is as close as possible to the $pK_a$ of the weak acid being used. Since the target pH is 3.58, acetoacetic acid ($pK_a = 3.58$) is the ideal choice.
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