Answer:
Use a ratio of 0.44 mol lactate to 1 mol of lactic acid
Explanation:
John could prepare a lactate buffer.
He can use the Henderson-Hasselbalch equation to find the acid/base ratio for the buffer.
[tex]\text{pH} = \text{pK}_{\text{a}} + \log\dfrac{\text{[A$^{-}$]}}{\text{[HA]}}\\\\3.5 = 3.86 + \log\dfrac{\text{[A$^{-}$]}}{\text{[HA]}}\\\\\log\dfrac{\text{[A$^{-}$]}}{\text{[HA]}} = 3.5 - 3.86 = -0.36\\\\\dfrac{\text{[A$^{-}$]}}{\text{[HA]}} = 10^{-0.36} = \mathbf{0.44}[/tex]
He should use a ratio of 0.44 mol lactate to 1 mol of lactic acid.
For example, he could mix equal volumes of 0.044 mol·L⁻¹ lactate and 0.1 mol·L⁻¹ lactic acid.
