EQUALIBRIUM - Common Ion Effect and Buffers

8 important questions on EQUALIBRIUM - Common Ion Effect and Buffers

What will give the optimum buffer?

An equal amount of acid and its conjugate base because it has the greatest amount of resistance to pH change

How do you solve a buffer solution?

  1. List all relevant reactions and their K values. Make sure it is the acid/base and its conjugate
  2. Make the ice table
  3. Substitute into the K expression

What do acidic buffers typically look like?

  1. Weak Acid and its conjugate base
    • HA + H2O <-> H30+ + A-
    • acidic buffer will have pH<7

     2. Weak base and its conjugate acid
    • B + H2O <-> OH- + HA+
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How do you calculate the pH for a buffered solution?

You must use Henderson-Hasselbalchs Equation

What is a buffer capacity?

It is the measure of strength of a buffer (its ability to maintain pH)

What is the maximum concentration of both species?

The max concentration is equal to [A-]/[HA] =1

What is a buffer range?

The pH range over which a buffer effectively neutralizes acids and bases
Range = pKa +- 1

What is the pH of a solution made up of 0.53M NH3 and 0.73M NH4Cl?

Use HH equation and find the formula sheet to solve for pKa

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