High School

What is the ratio of lactate to lactic acid (Base/Acid) in a solution with pH = 4.00? (Ka = 1.37 x 10^-4)

A. 1.37
B. 3.8
C. 8.00
D. 7.5
E. All of the above

Answer :

Final answer:

The ratio of lactate to lactic acid in a solution with pH = 4.00 is approximately 1.37x10^8.

Explanation:

To determine the ratio of lactate to lactic acid in a solution with pH = 4.00, we can use the acid dissociation constant (Ka) of lactic acid. The equation for the dissociation of lactic acid is: C3H6O3 ⇌ C3H5O3- + H+.

The pH is related to the concentration of lactate and lactic acid through the equation: pH = -log[H+].

Since the pH is given as 4.00, we can calculate the concentration of hydrogen ions ([H+]) using the equation: [H+] = 10^(-pH).

Substituting the given pH value, we get: [H+] = 10^(-4.00).

Next, we can use the acid dissociation constant (Ka) to calculate the ratio of lactate to lactic acid. The Ka is defined as the ratio of the concentration of the products (lactate and H+) to the concentration of the reactant (lactic acid).

Using the equation: Ka = [C3H5O3-][H+]/[C3H6O3], we can rearrange it to: [C3H5O3-]/[C3H6O3] = Ka/[H+].

Substituting the given Ka value and the calculated [H+] value, we get: [C3H5O3-]/[C3H6O3] = (1.37x10^4)/(10^(-4.00)).

Simplifying the expression, we get: [C3H5O3-]/[C3H6O3] = 1.37x10^8.

Therefore, the ratio of lactate to lactic acid in the solution is approximately 1.37x10^8.

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