Question

How does the buffer maintain the ph of the solution when an acid is added to it? by reacting with the hydrogen ions by reacting with the conjugate base by reacting with the hydroxide ions by adding more hydrogen ions to the solution

Answer 1

A buffer maintains the pH of a solution when an acid is added by having the added hydrogen ions react with the conjugate base in the buffer, resulting in a minimal change in pH.

Step-by-step explanation:

Buffers work by maintaining a relatively constant pH when a strong acid or base is added to a solution. This is because buffers consist of a weak acid and its conjugate base, or a weak base and its conjugate acid. When an acid is added to a buffer solution, the added hydrogen ions (H+) react with the conjugate base present in the buffer. For example, in an acetic acid-sodium acetate buffer, hydrogen ions would react with acetate ions to form more acetic acid molecules. This reaction shifts the equilibrium in such a way that the increase in hydronium ion concentration is minimized, and thus the pH remains relatively unchanged. Similarly, if a base is added, it reacts with the weak acid in the buffer to form water and the conjugate base, reducing the potential increase in pH.