Question

What is the role of buffers in chemistry?

Answer 1

Buffer:

• Buffer is referred to as a solution that can resist change in pH on the addition of basic or acidic substances.
• The purpose of the buffer is to neutralize the minute amount of acid or base and maintain the pH of the solution in stable conditions.
• Buffer is important for reactions which need specific and stable ranges of pH.
• Buffer solutions have a working pH range and have the capacity which predicts the amount of acid or base required to neutralize the solution before the change in pH and the amount by which it would change.
• Expression used in buffer solution:
• $\mathrm{pH}=\mathrm{pKa}+\log \frac{\left[\mathrm{Salt}\right]}{\left[\mathrm{Acid}\right]}$

Examples of buffer:

• A common buffer that is used in industry and research is the phosphate buffer.
• Another example of a buffer is the Tris buffer.