Chemistry 104 Acid/Base VIII Pre-lecture Outline

In our last lecture we looked at buffered solutions: solutions that will resist a pH change when
acid or base is added to the solution. We saw that we could form a buffer by having a weak acid
and it’s conjugate base in the same solution (or a weak base and it’s conjugate acid; we just need
to have the pair). If we look at the standard equation:

HA (aq) + H2O (l) H3O+ (aq) + A- (aq)

we know the HA will react with OH- to form A-, (which is already in solution) and that A- will
react to form HA (which is already in solution). In this way we will see relatively small changes
in the equilibrium position due to Le Chatlier’s Principle.

When we think about buffers, we’re really looking at a system where the pH is based on the
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equilibrium described by: .
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The pH of a solution is based on the [H+], so if we rearrange the Ka expression we can get to:

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We take the –log to get pH:
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Which we can rearrange to give:
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This equation is called the Henderson-Hasselbalch Equation. This equation makes life so
much easier when dealing with buffered solutions.

Determining pH using Henderson-Hasselbalch Equation:

1. List the major species; determine which are acids/bases/spectator ions
2. Write out the important chemical reaction that has weak acid and conj. base
3. Find concentrations of weak acid and conj. base
4. Plug into Henderson-Hasselbalch Equation

We have not used and ICE table in this process, but we have made the assumption that the weak
acid dissociation will be minimal. This is typically the case, but you need to realize we have still
used the 5% assumption.

Key Observations from Henderson-Hasselbalch Equation:

When [HA] = [A-], pH = pKa
The buffered solution resists pH change the most when the ratio of [HA] and [A-] is close to one
The larger the concentrations of [HA] and [A-] the greater the pH change resistance (called
buffering capacity)
The buffering capacity for a given buffer typically extends 1 pH unit in each direction. For
example, a buffer with a pH of 4 will buffer from about pH 3 to around pH 5.