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Worksheet Answers
Worksheet Answers
Worksheet answers
Use the learning object, How do buffers work?, and information provided to help answer the
following questions.
1. Explain the difference between strong and weak acids. (use screens 1 and 2)
Strong acids ionise completely in water. Weak acids only partially ionise.
2. Using Le Chateliers principle, predict what will happen if:
a solution containing hydrogen ions is added to a solution of hydrochloric acid (use screens 3 and 4)
The pH will increase dramatically. This is because hydrochloric acid is a strong acid that ionises
completely in water. This is essentially an irreversible reaction. Any added hydrogen ions will
remain as H+ ions.
a solution containing hydrogen ions is added to a solution of hydrofluoric acid? (use screens 3 and 4)
pH will increase, but not as much as for a strong acid. This is because hydrofluoric acid is a
weak acid that only partially ionises in water. The reverse reaction will be favoured, so some of
the added hydrogen ions will react with fluoride ions in solution. This leaves only some extra
hydrogen ions in solution.
3. Explain how it is possible for a weak acid system to be in equilibrium while reactions still occur.
The forward and reverse reactions occur at the same rate.
4. Write an equation showing the addition of acetic acid to water. Include water molecules in the
equation, and identify any conjugate acid/base pairs.
8. Explain how HF could act as a buffer if a small amount of NaOH was added. Drawing diagrams
may aid your explanation.
When NaOH is added, the OH- ions will initially cause the pH of the solution to increase. The OH ions will react with some of the H + ions from the partially ionised HF to form H2O. When this
happens, the equilibrium HF <==> H + + F - will shift in the forward direction as H + ions have
been removed. This will replace some of the H + ions so the pH will almost return to the initial
pH of the system.
9. Study steps one to five on screen 7. How do the concentrations of each species in the buffer
compare to initial concentrations:
a. as soon as hydrogen ions are added? (step 3)
[HF] same, [H +] much higher, [F -] same, [Cl -] higher, [Na +] same
b. after equilibrium has been re-established? (step 5)
[HF] higher, [H +] same, [F -] lower, [Cl -] higher, [Na +] same
10. How does pH change during the reaction? Is this different from what happens with pure
hydrofluoric acid? (compare screens 7 and 5)
It drops a lot then returns to virtually the same as it was at the start. This is different to pure
hydrofluoric acid, where the pH remained lower.
11. The following graph shows what happens to pH when a strong acid or a strong base is added to a
weak acid. Explain the shape of this curve using your knowledge of buffering.
8
7
6
5
pH
4
3
2
1
0
Acid added
Base added
The pH of the weak acid is 5. Between pH 4 and pH 6 the gradient of the graph is quite flat, so
this is the region where the acid buffers. When small volumes of acid or base are added, the
weak acid buffers and pH remains fairly constant. When larger volumes of acid or base are
added the buffering capacity is exceeded and pH is not controlled, so the gradient changes
rapidly.
12. Explain what the term buffering capacity means at the molecular level.
A buffer reaches buffering capacity when there are no more ions available to react with any
acid or base added. For example, it is reached when there are no fluoride ions left in a solution
of hydrofluoric acid to react with added hydrogen ions. After this point is reached any added
acid or base will change pH dramatically.
14. Draw diagrams to show how the buffering system in blood works, based on the animation in the
learning object. Note that carbonic acid ionises rapidly to form water and carbon dioxide.
15. Use Le Chateliers principle and the buffering equation above to explain why:
a. A person breathes harder and exhales more carbon dioxide when they exercise vigorously.
As a person exercises more, more hydrogen ions are produced. This favours the forward
reaction, which causes a shift in equilibrium to the right. More carbon dioxide is produced
which results in the person breathing harder.
b. The kidneys remove hydrogencarbonate ions when blood pH is too high for buffering alone to
stabilise (this condition is called alkalosis).
If pH is too high there are not enough hydrogen ions. Removing hydrogencarbonate means the
reverse reaction is favoured and more hydrogen ions are produced.
ast0648 | Buffers 3: Understanding buffers (worksheet answers)
The University of Western Australia 2011
version 1.0 reviewed January 2012
page 3
c. When a person hyperventilates the concentration of carbon dioxide in their blood decreases.
Would this result in increased or decreased blood pH?
The body will try to create more carbon dioxide, so the forward reaction will be favoured. This
causes a decrease in hydrogen ion concentration and an increase in pH.
16. It is important that the concentration of buffer in blood is high. Explain why.
A high concentration of buffer in the blood is required to enable people to undertake vigorous
exercise without reaching their buffering capacity. If a person reaches or exceeds their
buffering capacity, the pH of the body will move outside the safe range resulting in illness or
possible death.
The following diagram shows the buffer curve for the carbonic acid/hydrogencarbonate
equilibrium reaction stated previously.