Buffers

Question 1

What is a buffer solution?

Answer 1

A solution in which a weak acid and its conjugate base are in significant amounts in water - resist changes in pH

Question 2

How can you tell if a buffer works or not?

Answer 2

The pH of the buffer should be within 1 of the pKa of the weak acid

Question 3

What is the HH equation?

Answer 3

The henderson-hasselbach equation is

pH = pKa + log(base/acid)

Question 4

What happens if you add an acid or a base to an unbuffered solution?

Answer 4

Significant changes in pH

Question 5

What happens if you add an acid or a base to a buffered solution?

Answer 5

pH changes by a very small amount

Question 6

What happens when you add water to a unbuffered solution?

Answer 6

pH changes towards 7

Question 7

What happesn when you add water to a buffered solution?

Answer 7

pH changes very slightly - basically does not change

Question 8

What does it mean when we exceed the capacity of the buffer?

Answer 8

All of the weak acid or base has been used up - only the strong base or acid remains