Question

How much sodium hydroxide should I add to my conditioned medium to neutralize 1 mol of lactic acid in it?

Answer 1

Lactic acid is a monoprotic acid which means each molecule of lactic acid will donate only one hydrogen ion.

Hence, 1 mole of lactic acid will donate 1 mole of H+ ions.

moles of NaOH required to neutralize lactic acid = moles of H+ ions

moles of NaOH required = 1 mol

mass of NaOH required = (moles of NaOH required) * (molar mass NaOH)

mass of NaOH required = (1 mol) * (40 g/mol)

mass of NaOH required = 40 g

Hence 40 g of NaOH should be added to neutralize 1 mole of lactic acid.