GENERAL KNOWLEDGE

GK

CHEMISTRY

Question [CLICK ON ANY CHOICE TO KNOW THE RIGHT ANSWER]
What does a buffer do?
A
Neutralizes strong acids
B
Neutralizes strong bases
C
Neutralizes strong acids and strong bases
D
None of the above
Explanation: 

Detailed explanation-1: -A buffer is a solution that can resist pH change upon the addition of an acidic or basic components. It is able to neutralize small amounts of added acid or base, thus maintaining the pH of the solution relatively stable.

Detailed explanation-2: -How Do Buffers Work? Buffers work by neutralising any added acid (H+ ions) or base (OH-ions) to maintain the moderate pH, making them a weaker acid or base.

Detailed explanation-3: -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.

Detailed explanation-4: -Buffers cannot be made from a strong acid (or strong base) and its conjugate. This is because they ionize completely! It is important to be able to recognize buffer solutions!

Detailed explanation-5: -Buffer solutions maintain a stable pH by neutralizing added acids or bases. They consist of a weak acid and its conjugate base, which exchange protons and hydroxide ions to form water. The Henderson-Hasselbalch equation expresses the pH as a function of the PKa and the ratio of the base and acid concentrations.

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