Question

could a solution have a buffering effect if a strong acid is added to it, but show no buffering effect if a strong base were added to it. explain how.

Answer 1

If a strong acid is added to a buffer, the weak base will react with the H⁺ from the strong acid to form the weak acid HA: H⁺ + A^- → HA. The H⁺ gets absorbed by the A^- instead of reacting with water to form H₃O⁺ (H⁺), so the pH changes only slightly.

If a strong base is added to a buffer, the weak acid will give up its H⁺ in order to transform the base (OH^-) into water (H₂O) and the conjugate base: HA + OH^- → A^- + H₂O. Since the added OH^- is consumed by this reaction, the pH will change only slightly