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A physician wishes to prepare a buffer solution at pH = 3.58 that efficiently resists a change in pHIonic 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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