Question

What is meant by the term "buffer capacity"?

   What is meant by the term "buffer capacity"?

Chemistry: The Molecular Science

Chemistry: The Molecular Science

John W. Moore,… 4th Edition

Chapter 17, Problem 1

Instant Answer

Solved by Expert Sima Sarker

08/14/2021

Step 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. Show more…

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What is meant by the term "buffer capacity"?

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Key Concepts

Buffer Capacity

Buffer capacity refers to the measure of a buffer solution's ability to resist changes in pH when small amounts of acid or base are added. It quantifies how many moles of strong acid or base a buffer can neutralize before experiencing a significant shift in pH, indicating the effectiveness of the buffer system.

Buffer Solutions

Buffer solutions are mixtures, typically composed of a weak acid and its conjugate base (or a weak base and its conjugate acid), that maintain a relatively constant pH when acids or bases are introduced. They are essential in various chemical and biological processes where pH stability is crucial.

Acid-Base Equilibrium

Acid-base equilibrium is the state of balance between an acid and its conjugate base in a solution. In the context of buffer solutions, this equilibrium allows the system to neutralize added acids or bases by shifting the equilibrium position, thereby contributing to the overall buffer capacity.

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