Henderson-Hasselbalch equation

equation /equa·tion/ (e-kwa´zhun) an expression of equality between two parts.

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Henderson-Hasselbalch equation  a formula for calculating the pH of a buffer solution such as blood plasma.

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Hen·der·son-Has·sel·balch equation (hndr-sn-hsl-blk, -häsl-bäl)

n.

An equation expressing the pH of a buffer solution as a function of the concentration of the weak acid or base and the salt components of the buffer.

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Henderson-Hasselbalch equation

Etymology: Lawrence J. Henderson, American chemist, 1878-1942; Karl A. Hasselbalch, Danish biochemist, 1874-1962

the relationship among pH, the pK_a of a buffer system, and the ratio of the concentrations of the weak acid and its conjugate base.

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equation [e-kwa´zhun]

an expression of equality between two parts.

Henderson-Hasselbalch equation a formula for calculating the pH of a buffer solution such as blood plasma, pH = pK_a + log [BA/HA]; [HA] is the concentration of a free weak acid; [BA] the concentration of the ionized form of this acid; pK_a the acid dissociation constant, a measure of the ionization equilibrium of the acid.

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Henderson-Hasselbalch equation

an equation by which the pH of a buffer solution, blood plasma being such a one, can be determined:$$\hbox{pH=pK\'^\prime}+\log{[\hbox{BA}]\over[\hbox{HA}]}$$

where pK′ is the negative log of the dissociation constant of a weak acid in a buffer solution, [HA] is the concentration in the buffer solution of the weak acid and [BA] is the concentration of a salt of that acid.