The web site of the Nobel Prize explains that readers who want to inspect the Curies’ notebooks must sign a paper that states that they are aware of the health risks that are involved with handling the notebooks. What health risk is most likely to occur from handling the notebooks? A. excessive coughing
B. anemia
C. muscle cramping
D. swelling of the joints

pH = 8.0

Explanation:

First, we have to calculate the moles of NaOH.

Let's consider the balanced equation.

C₂H₄O₃ + NaOH ⇒ C₂H₃O₃Na + H₂O

The molar ratio C₂H₄O₃: NaOH: C₂H₃O₃Na is 1: 1: 1. So, when 7.2 × 10⁻⁴ moles of NaOH react completely with 7.2 × 10⁻⁴ moles of C₂H₄O₃ they form 7.2 × 10⁻⁴ moles of C₂H₃O₃Na.

The concentration of C₂H₃O₃Na is:

C₂H₃O₃Na dissociates according to the following equation:

C₂H₃O₃Na(aq) ⇒ C₂H₃O₃⁻(aq) + Na⁺(aq)

C₂H₃O₃⁻ comes from a weak acid so it undergoes basic hydrolisis.

C₂H₃O₃⁻ + H₂O ⇄ C₂H₄O₃ + OH⁻

If we know that pKa for C₂H₄O₃ is 3.9, we can calculate pKb for C₂H₃O₃⁻ using the following expression:

pKa + pKb = 14

pKb = 14 -3.9 = 10.1

10.1 = -log Kb

Kb = 7.9 × 10⁻¹¹

We can calculate [OH⁻] using the following expression:

[OH⁻] = √(Kb.Cb)               where Cb is the initial concentration of the base

[OH⁻] = √(7.9 × 10⁻¹¹ × 0.012M) = 9.7 × 10⁻⁷ M

Now, we can calculate pOH and pH.

pOH = -log [OH⁻] = -log (9.7 × 10⁻⁷) = 6.0

pH + pOH = 14

pH = 14 - pOH = 14 - 6.0 = 8.0