What is a buffer?
A mixture of a weak acid and it’s conjugate base which can resist changes in the pH when small amounts of acid or base are added
typically contain equal molecular amounts of the acid and it’s conjugate base
alkaline buffers
weak base and it’s conjugate acid
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What is a buffer?
A mixture of a weak acid and it’s conjugate base which can resist changes in the pH when small amounts of acid or base are added
typically contain equal molecular amounts of the acid and it’s conjugate base
alkaline buffers
weak base and it’s conjugate acid
Why isn’t it possible to form a buffer solution from a strong acid
they will fully ionise in water, so the reaction is not reversible
Buffering capacity
the amount of acid or base which can be added to the buffer before the pH will significantly change
depends on: the magnitude of the concentration of the acid and it’s conjugate base
and how close the two conc are to each other (a buffer conc which is not similar will buffer better in one direction than the other)
Buffers in blood
H2CO3(aq) + H2O(l) →← H3O+ +HCO3-
what is pH
a measure of hydrogen/hydronium ion concentation