Human arterial blood is maintained near physiological pH at body temperature (37 °C)
CHEMISTRY · Multi-part · A Level · Chemistry · Acids and bases · Acids and bases
Problem
Human arterial blood is maintained near physiological pH at body temperature (37 °C). For blood at 37 °C, the autoionization constant of water is Kw=2.42×10−14. A particular blood sample has a measured pH of 7.40.
(a) Calculate the hydronium-ion concentration in the blood sample.
(b) Using the value of Kw provided, determine the hydroxide-ion concentration in the sample.
(c) Compute the pOH of the sample and compare it with the pH. Explain why the numerical values of pH and pOH are not equal at 37 °C, even for a neutral solution.
(d) If the hydronium-ion concentration in the same blood sample were to double because of dissolved CO2, calculate the new pH and comment on whether the condition would be classified as acidosis or alkalosis.