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General Chemistry 2
Quarter 4 - Module 4
Buffer Solutions

Name of Learner:
Grade & Section:
Name of School:
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 Module
Buffer Solutions
4

What I Need to Know

We have already introduced one very significant class of aqueous reactions, those of
acids and bases. In this chapter we will explore more applications of acid–base equilibria. In
particular, we will examine buffered solutions, which contain components that enable the
solution to be resistant to pH changes. Buffered systems are especially important in living
systems, which can survive only in a relatively narrow pH range.

After going through this module, you are expected to:

1. Describe how a buffer solution maintains its ph

(STEM_GC11ABIVf-g-160); and
2. Calculate the ph of a buffer solution using the Henderson- Hasselbalch
equation (STEM_GC11ABIVf-g-161).

What’s In /6
Activity 1: LABEL ME!
Directions: Use the words below to label the parts of the reaction. This reaction shows an
acid–base (proton-transfer), where we can identify two sets of conjugate acid–base pairs. The
reaction below is between NH3 and H2O. Write the NUMBER of your answers inside the box.

1. add H+ 4. base
2. remove H+ 5. conjugate acid
3. acid 6. conjugate base

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 What’s New /5
Activity 2: INVESTIGATE!
Direction: Answer the guide question about the graph.

The graph below shows the relation between concentration of buffer components and
pH change. The four bars in the graph represent CH3COOH-CH3COO buffers with the same
initial pH (4.74) but different component concentrations (labeled on or near each bar). The
length of the bar relates to the increase in pH.

Based on the graph, describe the relation

between the
concentration (M) of buffer components
and the pH change?

What is it
Buffer Solutions

Solutions with a weak conjugate acid–base pair components have the ability to resist
changes in pH with the addition small amounts of either strong acid or strong base are called
buffer solutions. The solution is composed of two components (1) a weak acid or a weak base
and (2) its salt. It must contain (1) a relatively large concentration of acid to react with any
added hydroxide (OH-) ions to it (2) a similar concentration of base to react with any added
hydrogen ions (H+). The acid neutralizes the added OH- ions while the base neutralizes the
added H+ ions hence resisting any changes in pH. It is important to note that the buffer’s acid
and base components must not consume each other during the neutralization reaction in which
an acid- base conjugate pair satisfies these requirements. Examples are:
1. A weak acid and its conjugate base that is supplied by a salt
2. A weak base and its conjugate acid that is supplied by a salt).
To understand the mechanisms of the preparation of buffer solutions, let’s consider a
solution composed of a weak acid (HA) and one of its salts

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(MX), where M+ can be any other cation which does not react with H2O (ex. Na+ or K+). In this
buffered solution, the acid-dissociation equilibrium both involves the acid and its conjugate
base:

Therefore, the acid-dissociation-constant expression is

Rearranging the Ka expression to solve for [H+], we have

The [H+] expression tells that the [H+] depends on the value of (1) Ka for the weak-
acid component of the buffer and (2) the ratio of the concentrations of the conjugate acid–base
pair, [HA]/[A-] . If the ratio of the concentrations of the conjugate acid–base pair goes up,
[H30+] goes up. If the ratio goes down, [H30+] goes down.
On the other hand, added OH- ions to the buffered solution will react with the buffer’s
acid component to produce H2O and A-:

This reaction causes [HA] to decrease and [A-] to increase. As long as the amounts of
HA and A- in the buffer are large relative to the amount of OH- added, the ratio [HA]/[A-]
does not change much and, thus, the change in pH is small.
If [H+] ions are added, it will react with buffer’s the base component:

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 H3O+ can also be used to represent the reaction:

We can say that the reaction causes [A-] to decrease and [HA] to increase. As long as
changes in the ratio of the concentrations of the conjugate acid–base pair is small, the change in
pH will be small.

A phenomenon called common-ion effect accounts the mechanism behind buffer

solutions. It happens when an ion is added to a mixture (already in equilibrium) that already
contains the same ion causes the position of the equilibrium to shift away from forming more
of it. An example of this effect occurs when acetic acid (CH3COOH) dissociates in water and
some sodium acetate (CH3COONa) is added. Acetic acid dissociates only slightly in water:

From Le Chatelier's principle, some CH3COO- ion is added (from the soluble sodium
acetate), the equilibrium position shifts to the left; thus, [H3O+] decreases, in effect lowering
the extent of acid dissociation:

Similarly, if we dissolve acetic acid in a sodium acetate solution, acetate ion

(CH3COO-) and H30+ ion from the acid enter the solution. The acetate ion already present in the
solution acts to suppress as much acid from dissociating, which lowers [H30+]. Thus, the effect
again is to lower the acid dissociation. Acetate ion (CH3COO-) is called the common ion in
this case because it is "common" to both the acetic acid (CH3COOH) and sodium acetate
(CH3COONa) solutions; that is, acetate ion from the acid enters a solution in which it is
already present.

The expression for HA dissociation at equilibrium is

The table below shows the percent dissociation and the pH of an acetic acid solution
containing various concentrations of acetate ion (supplied from solid sodium acetate). Note that
the common ion, CH3COO-, suppresses the dissociation of CH3COOH, which makes the
solution less acidic (higher pH).

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 The important characteristics of a buffer are its (1) capacity and its (2) effective range
of pH. Buffer capacity is to the amount of acid or base that the buffer will be able neutralize
before an appreciable degree of pH change happens. Therefore, buffer capacity depends on the
amount of acid and base used to prepare the buffer. The larger the amount of acid or base, the
greater will be its buffering capacity. The effective pH range of a buffer refers to the range for
which the buffer can still act effectively. Buffers are most effective in resisting changes in pH
when the concentrations of weak acid and conjugate base are about the same.

The Henderson-Hasselbalch Equation

The concentration of H+ ion in a buffer can be calculated if you know the

concentrations of the weak acid HA and its conjugate base A -. These three quantities are
related through the acid equilibrium constant of HA. We knew earlier that a weak acid, HA, the
dissociation equation and Ka expression are

Rearranging the Ka expression to isolate [H3O+] gives

Negative common logarithm of both sides will give

When the concentrations of [A-] and [HA] are equal, the ratio becomes
1. The log term then be equal to 0 making pH = pKa. The general form for the previous
equation applicable for any conjugate acid-base pair will give the Henderson-Hasselbalch
equation:

The [acid] and [base] refers to the equilibrium concentrations of the conjugate acid–
base pair. We can use this relationship for two important reasons: (1) it allows us to solve
directly for pH as an alternative of having to

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calculate [H3O+] first and (2) it allows us to prepare a buffer of a preferred pH just by mixing
the suitable amounts of A- and HA. In performing equilibrium calculations, we can usually
neglect the amounts of the acid and base of the buffer that ionize. Therefore, the starting
concentrations of the acid and base components of the buffer can be used directly.

Since the two species HA and A- are present in the same solution, the ratio of their
concentrations is also their mole ratio. That is,

where n is the amount in moles and V is the volume of solution. Hence we can also
use this equation

Examples:

1. Calculate the pH of a buffer that is composed of 0.12 M lactic acid [C3H6O3] and 0.10 M
sodium lactate [NaC3H5O3]? For lactic acid, Ka = 1.4 x 10-4.

To calculate the pH of a buffer containing lactic acid (HC3H5O3) and its conjugate base, the
lactate ion (C3H5O3-), we can use the Henderson– Hasselbalch equation to calculate pH
directly:

2. In a laboratory, you are tasked to produce a buffer solution with a pH =

5.270. Initially, you have a solution that contains 10.0 mmol (millimoles) of acetic acid.
Calculate the millimoles of sodium acetate needed to be added to this solution? The pKa of
acetic acid = 4.752.

Substitute into the Henderson-Hasselbalch Equation and solve:

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 What’s More /19
Activity 3: HOW A BUFFER WORKS?
Directions: Use the words below to label the diagram a buffer that consists of high
concentrations of a conjugate acid-base pair of acetic acid (CH3COOH) and acetate ion
(CH3COO-). Write the NUMBER of your answers inside the boxes. You may use each of the
terms below more than once.

1. Buffer after addition of H3O+ 6. CH3COOH

2. Buffer with equal concentrations 7. H2O
3. of conjugate base and acid 8. H3O+
4. Buffer after addition of OH- 9. OH-
5. CH3COO-

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 What I Have Learned /15
Activity 4: LET’S TEST YOUR MIND!

PART I
Directions: Use the histograms below to answer the questions. The histogram on the left
represents a buffer composed of equal concentrations of a weak acid (HX) and its conjugate
base. The heights of the columns are proportional to the concentrations of the components of
the buffer. (5 points each)

(a) From the three figures (1, 2 and 3), which one represents the buffer after the addition of a
strong acid? Explain.

(b) From the three figures (1, 2 and 3), which one represents the buffer after the addition of a
strong base? Explain.

(c) From the three figures (1, 2 and 3), which one represents a situation that cannot arise from
the addition of either an acid or a base? Explain.

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 PART II
Directions: Solve each of the following problems. You must show all of your work to obtain a
full credit. Box your final answer/s. (5 points each)

1. Calculate the pH of a solution containing 0.75 M lactic acid (Ka = 1.4 x 10-
4) and 0.25 M sodium lactate.

2. The concentration of carbonic acid, H2CO3 is approximately 0.0012 M, and the

concentration of the hydrogen carbonate ion, HCO3 −, is around 0.024 M. Using the
Henderson-Hasselbalch equation and the pKa of carbonic acid (6.4) at body temperature,
calculate the pH of the blood.

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 What I Can Do /4
Activity 5: PREPARE A BUFFER!
Directions: Chemists and lab technicians often have to prepare a buffer solution for a specific
environmental or biomedical application. Arrange the steps below in chronological order to
prepare a buffer solution. Write the numbers (1- 4) inside the empty blocks.

STEP Choose the buffer concentration and calculate the amounts

to mix.
STEP Find the ratio of [A-]/[HA] that gives the desired pH, using the
Henderson-Hasselbalch equation.
STEP Mix the amounts together and adjust the buffer pH to the
desired value.
STEP Decide on the conjugate acid-base pair.

Assessment /15
Direction. Encircle the letter of the best answer.
1. The following statements about buffered solution are true EXCEPT
a. When a concentrated acid is added to a solution, it will not change its pH very
much.
b. The solution will not change its pH very much even if a strong base is added.
c. Any H+ ions will not react with a conjugate base of a weak acid already in
the solution.
d. The solution resists change in its [H+]
2. The following pairs can mixed together to form a buffer solution EXCEPT
a. NH3, NH4Cl c. RbOH, HBr
b. KOH, HF d. H3PO4, KH2PO4
3. The buffer is most effective when the buffer-component concentration ratio is
a. 1 c. 3
b. 2 d. 4
4. This is the amount of acid or base the buffer can neutralize before the pH begins to
change to an appreciable degree.
a. Buffer Equilibria c. pH scale
b. pH Range d. Buffer Capacity

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5. When the buffer pH equals the pKa of the acid component, the buffer has its highest .
a. ionization c. scale
b. range d. capacity
6. A solution that contains both CH3COOH and CH3COONa is acidic
with a solution containing only CH3COOH at the same concentration.
a. more c. equally
b. less d. none of these
7. If the buffer-component concentration ratio increases,
a. [H30+] goes up c. [H30+] does not change
b. [H30+] goes down d. [H30+] will be zero
8. The hydrofluoric acid and is added to water, a buffer solution is
produced.
a. HCl c. NaF
b. NaNO3 d. NaCl
9. What will happen if you will add a small amount of HCl to a solution containing
fluoride ions and hydrogen fluoride?
a. Concentration of H3O+ ions will increase significantly.
b. Concentration of fluoride ions and hydronium ions will increase.
c. Concentration of fluoride ions will increase and the concentration of hydrogen
fluoride will decrease.
d. Concentration of hydrogen fluoride will increase and the
concentration of fluoride ion will decrease.
10. To produce a buffer, which of the following could be added to a solution of sodium
acetate (CH3COONa)?

acetic acid potassium acetate

hydrochloric acid sodium chloride

a. acetic acid only

b. acetic acid / hydrochloric acid
c. hydrochloric acid only
d. sodium chloride / potassium acetate
11. If HCl is added to a solution containing a weak acid, HF, and dissolved sodium
fluoride, NaF, which ion will react with the extra hydrogen ions from the Cl to resist
pH changes?
a. OH- c. F-
b. Na+ d. Na-
12. The concentrated the buffer, the its capacity, and the
the pH change.
a. less, lesser, bigger c. more, greater, greater
b. less, greater, smaller d. more, lesser, lesser

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 13. What happens to the pH if water is added to a buffer solution with pH of 3.96?
c. The pH increases slightly. c. The pH remains the same.
d. The pH decreases slightly. d. The pH is greater than 7.
14. What is the pH of the buffer solution if the ratio of the conjugate pair - base to acid is
3:1 and the Ka value of the weak acid is 1.0 x10-5,?
a. pH<5 c. 5<pH<7
b. pH = 5 d. pH>7
15. The Henderson-Hasselbalch equation is .

a.

b.

c.

d.

Additional Activities /4
Activity 6: LET’S THINK SOME MORE!
Directions: The figure below shows a variation of pH of an H2CO3– HCO3- buffer
with addition of strong acid or base. Write true or false on each statement.

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1. At point A, the curve to the left shows how pH decreases when
hydrogen proton is added. The curve to the right shows how pH
increases as hydroxide is added.
2. At point B, the buffer has lost its capacity to absorb more OH-
ions.
3. At point C, the buffer has lost its capacity to absorb added H+
ions.
4. the capacity of a buffer to absorb added OH+ or H- ions is
inversely related to the slope of the curve.

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 References
Department of Education, Chemistry Science and Technology Textbook. (2004)
Commission on Higher Education, General Chemistry 1: Teaching Guide for Senior High,
Manila. (2016)
Department of Education Central Office, Most Essential Learning
Competencies (MELCS), Manila, (2020).
Brown, Theodore L. ........... et al, Theodore L. Brown, Jr., H. Eugene LeMay, Bruce
E. Bursten, Catherine J. Murphy, and Patrick Woodward. 2012. Chemistry: the central
science - 12th Edition. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Prentice Hall.
Chang, R., and K. A. Goldsby. "Chemistry. New York, EEUU." (2015). Masterton, William,
Cecile Hurley, and Edward Neth. Chemistry: Principles and Reactions, Cengage Learning.
ISBN 1-133 38694-6, 2011.
Silberberg, Martin Stuart. Principles of general chemistry. McGraw-Hill Science Engineering,
2012.
Buthelezi, Thandi, Laurel Dingrando, Nicholas Hainen, Cheryl Wistrom, and Dinah Zike.
Chemistry: Matter and change. Glencoe/McGraw-Hill, 2008.
Zumdahl, Steven. World of chemistry. Cengage Learning, 2012.

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