Buffer Solution

A buffer solution, comprised of a blend of a weak acid and its salt (in the case of an acidic buffer) or a weak base and its salt (for a basic buffer), plays a crucial role in maintaining a stable pH despite the addition of small amounts of strong acid or base. This property renders buffers indispensable in numerous chemical applications.

In nature, blood serves as a prime example of a buffer solution. With a normal pH of 7.4, it exemplifies the body’s intricate mechanisms for pH regulation. However, individuals grappling with severe anxiety may experience alkalosis, a condition characterized by elevated blood pH levels. Conversely, a blood pH below 7.4 denotes acidosis.
Moreover, the significance of buffers extends beyond physiological contexts.

In various household and cosmetic products, controlling pH values is imperative. For instance, shampoos must counteract the alkalinity of soap to prevent skin irritation, while baby lotions maintain a pH of approximately 6 to deter bacterial proliferation. From washing powder to eye drops to fizzy lemonade, the efficacy and safety of numerous products hinge on the precise management of pH levels.

In essence, buffers serve as invaluable guardians of pH equilibrium, ensuring the stability and functionality of diverse chemical systems and everyday products alike.

Adding an acid to this buffer solution:

The buffer solution must remove most of the new hydrogen ions otherwise the pH would drop markedly. Hydrogen ions combine with the acetate ions to make acetic acid.

That means a strong acid has been turned to a weak acid. Since most of the new hydrogen ions are removed, the pH won’t change very much – but because of the equilibrium involved, it will fall a little bit.

Adding a base to buffer solution

Alkaline solutions contain hydroxide ions and the buffer solution removes most of these by reacting with H+ to form water. As soon as this happens, the equilibrium of the acid dissociation tips to replace H+ ions .This keeps on happening until most of the hydroxide ions are removed. That means a strong base has been turned to water