Question

Write chemical equation to show a buffer made of a mixture of a solution of acetic acid CH3COOH and its sodium salt CH3COONa can resist changes in pH, when H+ or OH- ions are added to the buffer system.

Buffer +Acid

Buffer +base

Answer 1

A buffer is any type of substance that will resist pH change when H+ or OH- is added.

This is typically achieved with equilibrium equations. Both type of buffer will resist both type of additions.

When a weak acid and its conjugate base are added, they will form a buffer

The equations:

Let CH3COOH = HA; CH3COO- = A- and CH3COONa = NaA

The Weak acid equilibrium:

HA(aq) <-> H+(aq) + A-(aq)

Weak acid = HA(aq)

Conjugate base = A-(aq)

Neutralization of H+ ions:

A-(aq) + H+(aq) <-> HA(aq); in this case, HA is formed, H+ is neutralized as well as A-, the conjugate

Neutralization of OH- ions:

HA(aq) + OH-(aq) <-> H2O(l) + A-(aq) ; in this case; A- is formed, OH- is neutralized as well as HA.