During an experiment the pH of a lactic acid–lactate buffer is found to be 3.86 when…

CHEMISTRY · Subjective · A Level · Chemistry · Acids and bases · Acids and bases

Problem

During an experiment the pH of a lactic acid–lactate buffer is found to be 3.86 when the ratio

\frac{[\text{lactate}^-]}{[\text{lactic acid}]}

0.30

. Calculate the

pK_a

of lactic acid to two significant figures.