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What would happen to the pH if the concentrations of both the acid and its conjugate base were doubled?

a. pH would increase
b. pH would decrease
c. pH would remain the same
d. pH would become neutral

User Firuz
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1 Answer

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Final answer:

The pH would remain the same since the pH of a buffer depends on the ratio of the concentrations of the conjugate base to the conjugate acid, which does not change when both are doubled.

Step-by-step explanation:

If the concentrations of both the acid and its conjugate base are doubled in a solution, the pH would remain the same. This is because the pH of a buffer solution depends on the ratio of the concentrations of the conjugate acid to its conjugate base. Doubling both concentrations does not change this ratio; therefore, the pH stays constant. As explained by the Henderson-Hasselbalch equation, pH changes only when there is a change in the ratio of the conjugate base ([A-]) to conjugate acid ([HA]). This property is fundamental to the behavior of buffer solutions and is critical to maintaining pH stability in many biochemical and industrial processes.

User ShinuShajahan
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