All Flashcards
What is the effect of adding a strong acid to a buffer solution?
The conjugate base in the buffer reacts with the added acid, minimizing the change in pH.
What is the effect of adding a strong base to a buffer solution?
The weak acid in the buffer reacts with the added base, minimizing the change in pH.
What happens if the concentrations of a weak acid and its conjugate base are not comparable in a solution?
The buffer will have a limited capacity to resist pH changes, especially if a strong acid or base is added that exceeds the concentration of the limiting component.
What is the effect of [weak acid] = [conjugate base]?
The buffer is at its maximum buffer capacity.
What is a buffer solution?
A solution that resists changes in pH upon addition of small amounts of acid or base.
Define a weak acid.
An acid that only partially dissociates into its ions in a solution.
Define a conjugate base.
The species that remains after an acid has donated a proton.
What is maximum buffer capacity?
The point where a buffer resists pH changes the best, occurring when [weak acid] = [conjugate base].
Define buffer effectiveness.
How well a buffer resists changes in pH.
What is a spectator ion?
An ion that exists in the same form on both the reactant and product sides of a chemical reaction. It does not affect equilibrium.
What is the difference between buffer capacity and buffer effectiveness?
Buffer capacity is the amount of acid or base a buffer can neutralize. Buffer effectiveness is how well the buffer resists pH changes.
Compare how strong acids/bases and weak acids/bases affect buffer formation.
Strong acids/bases do NOT form buffers with their conjugates because their conjugates are too weak. Only weak acid/base pairs can create buffers.