Date | May 2017 | Marks available | 1 | Reference code | 17M.3.sl.TZ1.20 |
Level | SL | Paper | 3 | Time zone | TZ1 |
Command term | Calculate | Question number | 20 | Adapted from | N/A |
Question
The buffer formed by carbon dioxide, CO2(aq) and hydrogen carbonate ion, HCO3−(aq), plays an important role in maintaining the pH of blood.
Calculate the pH of the buffer from the following data and section 1 of the data booklet.
pKa(CO2) = 6.34
[HCO3−(aq)] = 1.40 × 10−2 moldm−3
[CO2(aq)] = 1.25 × 10−3 moldm−3
Explain the effect of a large amount of aspirin on the pH of blood.
Markscheme
«pH = pKa + log10 » = 7.39
[1 mark]
H+ from aspirin reacts with HCO3− to form CO2 and H2O
OR
H+(aq) + HCO3−(aq) CO2(aq) + H2O(l)
OR
reverse reaction favoured «to use up some of the H+ added»
pH decreases
No mark for “stating aspirin is a weak acid that dissociates partially to produce H+” without reference to reaction with HCO3− or to the equation.
Reversible arrows not required for the mark.
Do not accept “small pH change when small amount of H+ is added”.
[2 marks]