Buffers

Question 1

What is a buffer?

Answer 1

a buffer occurs when a weak acid and its conjugate base are present in nearly equal proportions

Question 2

What are the three ways to make a buffer?

Answer 2

1. Weak acid and no conjugate base –> add a measured amount of strong base -OH to make the conjugate base
2. Conjugate base and no weak acid –> add a measured amount of strong acid H+ to make correct amount of weak acid
3. Mixing a specific EQUAL amount of weak acid and conjugate base together

Question 3

4 steps to unequal proportions

Answer 3

1. calculate moles of both compounds
2. run reaction
3. how much is leftover?
4. plug into equation

Question 4

A buffer is a ___ shield

Answer 4

pH