Be sure to answer all parts. A buffer consists of 0.38 M KHCO3 and 0.71 M K2CO3. Carbonic acid is a diprotic acid with Ka1 = 4.5 × 10−7 and Ka2 = 4.7 × 10−11. (a) Which Ka value is more important to this buffer?

Explanation:

The dissociation equations for the carbonic acid are as follows.

The given buffer contains and . This means that there will be ions and ions and since, both of them are present in the second step.

Therefore, is more significant with respect to this reaction.

Thus, we can conclude that is more important to this buffer.