BUFFER SOLUTIONS

A guide for A level students

2004 JONATHAN HOPTON & KNOCKHARDY PUBLISHING

Buffer solutions
INTRODUCTION This Powerpoint show is one of several produced to help students understand selected topics at AS and A2 level Chemistry. It is based on the requirements of the AQA and OCR specifications but is suitable for other examination boards. Individual students may use the material at home for revision purposes or it may be used for classroom teaching if an interactive white board is available. Accompanying notes on this, and the full range of AS and A2 topics, are available from the KNOCKHARDY SCIENCE WEBSITE at...

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Buffer solutions
CONTENTS
What is a buffer solution?
Uses of buffer solutions Acidic buffer solutions Alkaline buffer solutions Buffer solutions - ideal concentration Calculating the pH of a buffer solution Salt hydrolysis Check list

Buffer solutions
Before you start it would be helpful to
know that weak acids and bases are only partly ionised in solution be able to calculate pH from hydrogen ion concentration be able to construct an equation for the dissociation constant of a weak acid

Buffer solutions - Brief introduction

Definition

Solutions which resist changes in pH when small quantities of acid or alkali are added.

Acidic Buffer (pH < 7)

made from

a weak acid + its sodium or potassium salt ethanoic acid sodium ethanoate

Alkaline Buffer (pH > 7) made from a

weak base ammonia

its chloride ammonium chloride

Uses

Standardising pH meters Buffering biological systems (eg in blood) Maintaining the pH of shampoos

Buffer solutions - uses

Definition

Solutions which resist changes in pH when small quantities of acid or alkali are added.

Biological Uses

In biological systems (saliva, stomach, and blood) it is essential that the pH stays constant in order for any processes to work properly. e.g. If the pH of blood varies by 0.5 it can lead to unconsciousness and coma
Most enzymes work best at particular pH values.

Other Uses Shampoo

Many household and cosmetic products need to control their pH values. Buffer solutions counteract the alkalinity of the soap and prevent irritation

Baby lotion Buffer solutions maintain a pH of about 6 to prevent bacteria multiplying

Others Washing powder, eye drops, fizzy lemonade

Acidic buffer solutions - action

It is essential to have a weak acid for an equilibrium to be present so that ions can be removed and produced. The dissociation is small and there are few ions. CH3COOH(aq) HIGH CH3COO(aq) LOW + H+(aq) LOW

relative concs.

NB

A strong acid cant be used as it is fully dissociated and cannot remove H+(aq)
HCl(aq) > Cl(aq) + H+(aq)

Adding acid Any H+ is removed by reacting with CH3COO ions to form CH3COOH via the equilibrium. Unfortunately, the concentration of CH3COO is small and only a few H+ can be mopped up. A much larger concentration of CH3COO is required. To build up the concentration of CH3COO ions, sodium ethanoate is added.

Acidic buffer solutions - action

It is essential to have a weak acid for an equilibrium to be present so that ions can be removed and produced. The dissociation is small and there are few ions. CH3COOH(aq) HIGH CH3COO(aq) LOW + H+(aq) LOW

relative concs.

NB

A strong acid cant be used as it is fully dissociated and cannot remove H+(aq)
HCl(aq) > Cl(aq) + H+(aq)

Adding alkali This adds OH ions which react with H+ ions

H+(aq) +

OH(aq)

H2O(l)

Removal of H+ from the weak acid equilibrium means that, according to Le Chateliers Principle, more CH3COOH will dissociate to form ions to replace those being removed. CH3COOH(aq) CH3COO(aq) + H+(aq) As the added OH ions remove the H+ from the weak acid system, the equilibrium moves to the right to produce more H+ ions. Obviously, there must be a large concentration of undissociated acid molecules to be available.

Alkaline buffer solutions - action

Alkaline buffer Very similar but is based on the equilibrium surrounding a weak base; AMMONIA NH3(aq) + H2O(l) HIGH OH(aq) + NH4+(aq) LOW LOW

relative concs.

but one needs ;

a large conc. of OH(aq) to react with any H+(aq) added a large conc of NH4+(aq) to react with any OH(aq) added

There is enough NH3 to act as a source of OH but one needs to increase the concentration of ammonium ions by adding an ammonium salt.

Use

AMMONIA (a weak base) + AMMONIUM CHLORIDE (one of its salts)

Buffer solutions - ideal concentration

The concentration of a buffer solution is also important If the concentration is too low, there wont be enough CH3COOH and CH3COO to cope with the ions added.

Summary For an acidic buffer solution one needs ... large [CH3COOH(aq)] large [CH3COO(aq)] - for dissociating into H+(aq) when alkali is added - for removing H+(aq) as it is added

This situation cant exist if only acid is present; a mixture of the acid and salt is used.

The weak acid provides the equilibrium and the large CH3COOH(aq) concentration. The sodium salt provides the large CH3COO(aq) concentration.
One uses a WEAK ACID + its SODIUM OR POTASSIUM SALT

Calculating the pH of an acidic buffer solution

Calculate the pH of a buffer whose [HA] is 0.1 mol dm-3 and [A] of 0.1 mol dm-3.

Calculating the pH of an acidic buffer solution

Calculate the pH of a buffer whose [HA] is 0.1 mol dm-3 and [A] of 0.1 mol dm-3. Ka = [H+(aq)] [A(aq)] [HA(aq)]

Calculating the pH of an acidic buffer solution

Calculate the pH of a buffer whose [HA] is 0.1 mol dm-3 and [A] of 0.1 mol dm-3. Ka = [H+(aq)] [A(aq)] [HA(aq)] re-arrange [H+(aq)] = [HA(aq)] x Ka [A(aq)]

Calculating the pH of an acidic buffer solution

Calculate the pH of a buffer whose [HA] is 0.1 mol dm-3 and [A] of 0.1 mol dm-3. Ka = [H+(aq)] [A(aq)] [HA(aq)] re-arrange [H+(aq)] = [HA(aq)] x Ka [A(aq)] from information given [A] = 0.1 mol dm-3 [HA] = 0.1 mol dm-3

Calculating the pH of an acidic buffer solution

Calculate the pH of a buffer whose [HA] is 0.1 mol dm-3 and [A] of 0.1 mol dm-3. Ka = [H+(aq)] [A(aq)] [HA(aq)] re-arrange [H+(aq)] = [HA(aq)] x Ka [A(aq)] from information given [A] = 0.1 mol dm-3 [HA] = 0.1 mol dm-3

If the Ka of the weak acid HA is 2 x 10-4 mol dm-3. [H+(aq)] = 0.1 x 2 x 10-4 = 2 x 10-4 mol dm-3

0.1

Calculating the pH of an acidic buffer solution

Calculate the pH of a buffer whose [HA] is 0.1 mol dm-3 and [A] of 0.1 mol dm-3. Ka = [H+(aq)] [A(aq)] [HA(aq)] re-arrange [H+(aq)] = [HA(aq)] x Ka [A(aq)] from information given [A] = 0.1 mol dm-3 [HA] = 0.1 mol dm-3

If the Ka of the weak acid HA is 2 x 10-4 mol dm-3. [H+(aq)] = 0.1 x 2 x 10-4 = 2 x 10-4 mol dm-3

0.1
pH = - log10 [H+(aq)] = 3.699

Calculating the pH of an acidic buffer solution

Calculate the pH of the solution formed when 500cm3 of 0.1 mol dm-3 of weak acid HX is mixed with 500cm3 of a 0.2 mol dm-3 solution of its salt NaX. Ka = 4 x 10-5 mol dm-3.

Calculating the pH of an acidic buffer solution

Calculate the pH of the solution formed when 500cm3 of 0.1 mol dm-3 of weak acid HX is mixed with 500cm3 of a 0.2 mol dm-3 solution of its salt NaX. Ka = 4 x 10-5 mol dm-3. Ka = [H+(aq)] [X(aq)]

[HX(aq)]

Calculating the pH of an acidic buffer solution

Calculate the pH of the solution formed when 500cm3 of 0.1 mol dm-3 of weak acid HX is mixed with 500cm3 of a 0.2 mol dm-3 solution of its salt NaX. Ka = 4 x 10-5 mol dm-3. Ka = [H+(aq)] [X(aq)]

[HX(aq)]
re-arrange [H+(aq)] = [HX(aq)] Ka [X(aq)]

Calculating the pH of an acidic buffer solution

Calculate the pH of the solution formed when 500cm3 of 0.1 mol dm-3 of weak acid HX is mixed with 500cm3 of a 0.2 mol dm-3 solution of its salt NaX. Ka = 4 x 10-5 mol dm-3. Ka = [H+(aq)] [X(aq)]

[HX(aq)]
re-arrange [H+(aq)] = [HX(aq)] Ka [X(aq)]

The solutions have been mixed; the volume is now 1 dm3

therefore [HX] [X] = 0.05 mol dm-3 = 0.10 mol dm-3 and

Calculating the pH of an acidic buffer solution

Calculate the pH of the solution formed when 500cm3 of 0.1 mol dm-3 of weak acid HX is mixed with 500cm3 of a 0.2 mol dm-3 solution of its salt NaX. Ka = 4 x 10-5 mol dm-3. Ka = [H+(aq)] [X(aq)]

[HX(aq)]
re-arrange [H+(aq)] = [HX(aq)] Ka [X(aq)]

The solutions have been mixed; the volume is now 1 dm3

therefore [HX] [X] = 0.05 mol dm-3 = 0.10 mol dm-3 and

Substituting

[H+(aq)]

0.05 x 4 x 10-5
0.1

2 x 10-5 mol dm-3

pH =

- log10 [H+(aq)]

4.699

SALT HYDROLYSIS
Many salts dissolve in water to produce solutions which are not neutral. This is because the ions formed react with the hydroxide and hydrogen ions formed when water dissociates. There are four distinct systems.
All dissociated ions are aqueous ions. When mixed, the ions of strong acids and bases remain apart. Ions of weak acids and bases associate.

SALT HYDROLYSIS
Many salts dissolve in water to produce solutions which are not neutral. This is because the ions formed react with the hydroxide and hydrogen ions formed when water dissociates. There are four distinct systems.
All dissociated ions are aqueous ions. When mixed, the ions of strong acids and bases remain apart. Ions of weak acids and bases associate.

Salts of strong acids and strong bases - SODIUM CHLORIDE NaCl dissociates completely in water Water only ionises to a very small extent Na+ Cl H2O > Na+ OH + + Cl H+

Na+ and OH H+and Cl

are ions of a strong base so remain apart are ions of a strong acid so remain apart all the OH and H+ ions remain in solution [H+] = [OH] and the solution will be NEUTRAL

therefore

SALT HYDROLYSIS
Many salts dissolve in water to produce solutions which are not neutral. This is because the ions formed react with the hydroxide and hydrogen ions formed when water dissociates. There are four distinct systems.
All dissociated ions are aqueous ions. When mixed, the ions of strong acids and bases remain apart. Ions of weak acids and bases associate. Salts of strong acids and weak bases - AMMONIUM CHLORIDE NH4Cl dissociates completely in water Water only ionises to a very small extent NH4+ Cl > H2O NH4+ OH + + Cl H+

NH3 + H2O Na+ and OH H+and Cl are ions of a strong base so tend to be associated are ions of a strong acid so remain apart all the H+ ions remain in solution [H+] > [OH] and the solution will be ACIDIC

therefore

SALT HYDROLYSIS
Many salts dissolve in water to produce solutions which are not neutral. This is because the ions formed react with the hydroxide and hydrogen ions formed when water dissociates. There are four distinct systems.
All dissociated ions are aqueous ions. When mixed, the ions of strong acids and bases remain apart. Ions of weak acids and bases associate. Salts of weak acids and strong bases - SODIUM ETHANOATE CH3COONa dissociates completely in water Water only ionises to a very small extent CH3COO Na + > Na+ H2O OH + CH3COO + H+

CH3COOH Na+ and OH H+and CH3OO are ions of a strong base so remain apart are ions of a weak acid so tend to be associated all the OH ions remain in solution [OH] > [H+] and the solution will be ALKALINE

therefore

SALT HYDROLYSIS
Many salts dissolve in water to produce solutions which are not neutral. This is because the ions formed react with the hydroxide and hydrogen ions formed when water dissociates. There are four distinct systems.
All dissociated ions are aqueous ions. When mixed, the ions of strong acids and bases remain apart. Ions of weak acids and bases associate. Salts of weak acids and weak bases - AMMONIUM ETHANOATE CH3COONH4 dissociates completely in water CH3COO NH4 + > NH4+ + CH3COO Water only ionises to a very small extent H2O OH + H+

NH3 + H2O CH3COOH Na+ and OH H+and CH3OO are ions of a weak base so tend to be associated are ions of a weak acid so tend to be associated

the solution might be alkaline or acidic i.e. APPROXIMATELY NEUTRAL

REVISION CHECK

What should you be able to do?

Recall the definition of a buffer solution Recall the difference between an acidic and an alkaline buffer solution Recall the uses of buffer solutions

Understand the action of buffer solutions

Calculate the pH of an acidic buffer solution Recall and understand the reactions due to salt hydrolysis

CAN YOU DO ALL OF THESE?

YES

NO

You need to go over the relevant topic(s) again

Click on the button to return to the menu

WELL DONE!
Try some past paper questions

BUFFER SOLUTIONS
THE END

2004 JONATHAN HOPTON & KNOCKHARDY PUBLISHING