Question

At pH 3.85, which of the following is true?

A.[lactic acid] > [lactate ion]

B.[lactic acid] < [lactate ion]

C.[lactic acid] = [lactate ion]

At pH 11.61, which of the following is true?

A.[lactic acid] = [lactate ion]

B.[lactic acid] < [lactate ion]

C.[lactic acid] > [lactate ion]

Answer 1

Substitute the numbers into the Henderson-Hasselbalch equation and calculate the ratio of (base)/(acid). That will tell you whatever you need to know about the ratio.