Derive the Henderson-Hasselbalch equation.

Vedclass pdf generator app on play store
Vedclass iOS app on app store
(N/A) The Henderson-Hasselbalch equation relates the $pH$ of a buffer solution to the $pK_{a}$ of the weak acid and the ratio of the concentrations of the conjugate base and the acid.
Consider the ionization of a weak acid $HA$ in water:
$HA + H_{2}O ⇌ H_{3}O^{+} + A^{-}$
The acid dissociation constant $K_{a}$ is given by:
$K_{a} = \frac{[H_{3}O^{+}][A^{-}]}{[HA]}$
Rearranging for $[H_{3}O^{+}]$:
$[H_{3}O^{+}] = K_{a} \times \frac{[HA]}{[A^{-}]}$
Taking the negative logarithm $(-\log)$ on both sides:
$-\log [H_{3}O^{+}] = -\log K_{a} - \log \frac{[HA]}{[A^{-}]}$
Since $pH = -\log [H_{3}O^{+}]$ and $pK_{a} = -\log K_{a}$,we get:
$pH = pK_{a} - \log \frac{[HA]}{[A^{-}]}$
By inverting the fraction inside the logarithm,the sign changes:
$pH = pK_{a} + \log \frac{[A^{-}]}{[HA]}$
This is the Henderson-Hasselbalch equation,where $[A^{-}]$ is the concentration of the conjugate base and $[HA]$ is the concentration of the acid.

Explore More

Similar Questions

The $pH$ of an aqueous solution containing $1 \ M$ benzoic acid $(pK_{a}=4.20)$ and $1 \ M$ sodium benzoate is $4.5$. The volume of benzoic acid solution in $300 \ mL$ of this buffer solution is . . . . . . $mL$.

An aqueous buffer is prepared by adding $100 \, mL$ of $0.1 \, mol \, L^{-1}$ acetic acid to $50 \, mL$ of $0.2 \, mol \, L^{-1}$ of sodium acetate. If $pK_a$ of acetic acid is $4.76$,the $pH$ of the buffer is

The $pKa$ of a weak acid $HA$ is $4.5$. The $pOH$ of an aqueous buffer solution in which the acid $HA$ is $50\%$ ionized is:

$0.1 \ mol$ of $CH_3NH_2$ $(K_b = 5 \times 10^{-4})$ is mixed with $0.08 \ mol$ of $HCl$ and diluted to $1 \ L$. The $[H^{+}]$ in the solution is:

At $25 \, ^\circ C$,the $K_a$ for $HCN$ is $5 \times 10^{-10}$. What volume (in $mL$) of $5 \, M \, KCN$ solution must be added to $10 \, mL$ of $2 \, M \, HCN$ solution to maintain a constant $pH$ of $9$?

Vedclass Products

For Students

Vedclass Test Series

Mock tests in real JEE/NEET style with performance analysis. 5-day free trial.

Start Free Trial
For Teachers

Exam Paper Generator

Generate Set A/B/C/D exam papers from 7.5L+ questions in 2 minutes. 3 chapters free.

Try Free
For Institutes

Online Exam Module

Live online exams with unlimited students, 360° analytics & white-label branding.

See Demo