Question

Consider a buffer system with a total concentration of acid plus salt (HA + A ) = 25.2 mM. Let the initial pH = 7.40 (blood pH). A strong acid is added to a final concentration of 6 mM. What is the effect

on pH?

Answer 1

Adding a strong acid to a buffer system will cause a small pH change, due to the buffering capacity of the system.

Step-by-step explanation:

Adding a strong acid to a buffer system will cause a shift in the buffer equilibrium, but the pH change will not be drastic. A buffer solution is made up of a weak acid (HA) and its conjugate weak base (A-), and it can resist changes in pH by reacting with the added acid or base. In this case, the buffer system has a total concentration of 25.2 mM of acid plus salt (HA + A-), and the initial pH is 7.40 (blood pH).