Answer:
Use Ka3
henderson-hasselbach equation: pH = pKa + log [base]/[acid]
pKa3 = - log Ka3 = - log 4.2 x 10^-13 = 12.38
therefore: pH = 12.38 + log (0.28/0.33) = 12.30
the pH is 12.30
Explanation:
phosphoric acid is a polyprotic acid meaning it donates more than one proton
weak Acid ↔ conjugate Base
H3PO4 ↔ H2PO4^- corresponding to Ka1
H2PO4^- ↔ HPO4^2- corresponding to Ka2
HPO4^2- ↔ PO4^3- corresponding to Ka3
A buffer consist of a weak acid and its conjugate base, the given buffer has the combination of HPO4^2- and PO4^3- thud we used Ka3
knowing that we used henderson-hasselbach equation to get the pH which is 12.30