Problem 15-123

HOCl H+ + OCl-       Ka = 3.5x10-8 = [H+][OCl-]/[HOCl]

When the pH is 8:
3.5x10-8 = [10-8][OCl-]/[HOCl]

Therefore to have a pH = 8 for this system, you need a ratio [OCl-]/[HOCl] of 3.5
molar ratio or molar concentration is the same here, everything is in the same beaker.

To generate OCl-: acid-base reaction: IRF table
(Table in mole, or for one Litre of solution)

  HOCl + NaOH NaOCl + H2O
I 0.05   b   0   excess
R -b   -b   '+b   '+b
F 0.05-b   0   b   excess






The strong base is all consumed creating the corresponcing number of mol of conjugate base OCl-

[OCl-]/[HOCl] = 3.5 = b/(0.050-b)

- Search for b and you will know how many mol of NaOH to add in one liter of solution.
- If you know the mol of NaOH, you know the volume of NaOH to add since V = n/molarity
- No need to know the exact concentration of chemical since it is a molar ratio problem.

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