Question

Answer the following questions: On a 10-fold dilution of a weak acid, the pH will ___________________. On a 10-fold dilution of a buffered solution, the pH will ______________. If one adds a small amount of strong base to a buffered solution, the pH will _______________. Can you make a buffer using a strong acid? Explain. How can you adjust the pH of a buffer solution? Explain.

Answer 1

Increase; remain constant, remain constant; No; by adjusting the acid:base ratio of the buffer.

Step-by-step explanation:

On a 10-fold dilution of a weak acid, the pH will INCREASE and that is because strong acids are not found in buffers, therefore, diluting a strong acid reduces the amount of hydrogen ions,H^+ present, consequently increasing the pH.

On a 10-fold dilution of a buffered solution, the pH will REMAIN CONSTANT because diluting a buffer does not affect the pH of the buffer.

If one adds a small amount of strong base to a buffered solution, the pH will REMAIN CONSTANT because the buffer will equalize the strong base, however, the pH may increase just a little.

One can not make a buffer solution using a strong acid because Buffers are composed of a weak acid and its conjugate base or a weak base and its conjugate acid, and weak acids or bases only dissociate partially. Strong acids dissociate completely, they overpower the reaction and move the reaction to completion.

pH of a buffer solution can be adjusted using by adjusting the acid:base ratio of the buffer.