How do you solve chemistry buffer problems?

Answer 1

#pH=pK_a + log_10{[[A^-]]/[[HA])}#

See this old answer..

As you have probably heard ad nauseaum, at the point of half equivalence in the titration weak acid with a strong base, #[A^-]=[HA]#, and the expression #log_10{[[A^-]]/[[HA])}# #=# #log_10(1)=0#.
Going back to the equation, this means that #pH=pK_a# at the point of half equivalence in a strong base/weak acid or strong acid/weak base titration.
Problems are usually composed so that the formation of a buffer is not immediately obvious. For example, we may start with some concentration of say, acetic acid, #HOAc#, and #1/2# an equiv of sodium hydroxide is added. If the #pK_a# of acetic acid #=# #4.76# (which it does), then what is the #pH# of the given buffer?
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Answer 2

To solve chemistry buffer problems, you typically follow these steps:

  1. Write the chemical equation for the buffer system.
  2. Write the equilibrium expression for the buffer system.
  3. Use the given concentrations of the weak acid and its conjugate base to calculate the initial concentrations of the acid and base.
  4. Use the Henderson-Hasselbalch equation to calculate the pH of the buffer solution.
  5. If the problem involves adding a strong acid or base to the buffer solution, calculate the new concentrations of the acid and base using the stoichiometry of the reaction.
  6. Use the Henderson-Hasselbalch equation again to calculate the new pH of the buffer solution.
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Answer from HIX Tutor

When evaluating a one-sided limit, you need to be careful when a quantity is approaching zero since its sign is different depending on which way it is approaching zero from. Let us look at some examples.

When evaluating a one-sided limit, you need to be careful when a quantity is approaching zero since its sign is different depending on which way it is approaching zero from. Let us look at some examples.

When evaluating a one-sided limit, you need to be careful when a quantity is approaching zero since its sign is different depending on which way it is approaching zero from. Let us look at some examples.

When evaluating a one-sided limit, you need to be careful when a quantity is approaching zero since its sign is different depending on which way it is approaching zero from. Let us look at some examples.

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