Buffer pair of acetic acid and sodium acetate

BUFFER PAIR

  • Let us consider the buffer pair of acetic acid and sodium acetate.

Buffer_Pair

  • When an acid say HCL is added, the acetate ion of the buffer binds with H+ of HCL to form acetic acid, which is weakly ionized. Therefore the buffer resists the pH change due to acid.

Buffer_Pair

  • When a base say NaOH is added the H+ ions of the buffer acetic acid combines with OH- ions to form  water, which is weakly ionized. Thus the pH change due to base addition is also prevented.

Buffer_Pair

 

Last modified: Tuesday, 22 March 2011, 7:34 AM