Buffer solutions:

A buffer is defined as a solution that will experience little to no pH change when

small amounts of acid or base are added.
Buffers are solutions of a weak acid and a salt of its conjugate base or a weak
base and a salt of its conjugate acid, which by Le Chatelier’s principle
(equilibrium) will react in such a way as to keep the pH of the solution close to
constant.

Egs of Buffer solutions:

1. CH3COOH + NaCH3CO2
2. NH3 + NH4Cl weak base and conjugate acid will give NH4Cl
3. NH3 in excess + HCl as limiting reagent
4. CH3COOH in excess + NaOH limiting reagent

the pH can be determined by the

Henderson-Hasselbalch equation:

pH = pKa +log [A-] / [HA] (BY HEART THIS EQUATION)

For eg.,
A. A buffer solution can be made by dissolving 0.25 g of sodium ethanoate
in 200 cm3 of 0.10 mol dm-3 ethanoic acid. Calculate the buffer.
Steps:
1. First calculate the concentration of sodium ethanoate
Ans: moles = mass/Mr = 0.25/82 = 0.0030
[CH3COO-] = 0.0030/0.2 = 0.015 mol/dm3

2. To find pH
Ka = [H+] x [CH3COO-]/ [CH3COOH] ( this is the Ka for ethanoic
acid/sodium ethanoate solution)

3. Find pKa value of data booklet. Later find Ka = 10 raised to -pKa

4. Apply in the above formula
[H+] = 10 raised to -4.76 x 0.10/ 0.015 = 1.159 x 10-4

5. pH = 3.9

B. Calculate the pH of a mixture of 50 cm3 of ammonia solution of

concentration 0.10 mol dm-3 and 50 cm3 of HCl solution of concentration
0.050 mol dm3

Steps:
1. Find the moles of NH3 and moles of HCl (though this is not useful in
the calculation)
2. When u write the equation, one of the product is NH4+
 3. [NH4+] = [NH3] . Hence find pKb from the data booklet
4. Find Kb
5. Find [OH-]
6. Find pOH
7. Find pH

C . Calculate the pH of a buffer solution of 0.0500 mol/dm3 and 0.100 mol-3 of

sodium ethanoate (Ka = 1.74 x 10-5)

We can calculate as the above methods using formula [CH3COOH] [H+] /

[CH3COOH] or

The other equation:

pH = pKa + log [CH3COO-]/[CH3COOH]

pH = 4.76 + log 0.10/0.05

pH = 5.06

D. How will you prepare a buffer solution using 0.100 mol dm-3 solutions of
nitric acid and ammonia?
Ans: It is obtained by reacting excess ammonia with nitric acid.
If you state any volume of both the solutions, use 50% more of ammonia
solution.. This will give a solution containing a weak base and its salt with
the acid/NH4+ and NH3