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Question

How Do Buffers Maintain pH?


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Solution

Step-1

Buffer-

As it is an aqueous solution that has a significant change in PH level by adding a small amount of acid or alkali.

Step-2

How does buffer work-

Neutralizing any added acid ( H+ ions) or base(OH- ions) to maintain pH, will make weaker acid and base.

For example, the buffer is made of weak base ammonia (NH3) and its conjugate acid (NH4+).

When a strong acid is added to this buffer system the extra H+ ion is added to the system that is consumed by NH3 to form NH4+, pH of a system does not change because all extra H+ ion is locked and form weaker acid, in a similar way when the strong base (NaOH) is added to buffer system ammonium ion will donate a proton to base to form ammonia and water thus without any change in pH.

Thus it works by neutralizing added acid(H+) or base (OH-ions).


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