Tutorial

1. Describe how would you prepare a (CH3CO2H/ CH3CO2) buffer with a pH of 5.2 given
that the pKa (CH3CO2H/ CH3CO2) is 4.76.

First, use Henderson-Hasselbalch equation to find ratio of A- to HA.

pH = pKa + log [A-] / [HA]

5.2 = 4.76 + log [A-] / [HA]

0.44 = log [A-] / [HA]

2.7542 / 1 = [A-] / [HA]

Next, calculate decimal fraction (part/whole) of each buffer component.

[A-] = 2.7542 / (1 + 2.7542) = 0.7336

[HA] = 1 / 3.7542 = 0.2664

Then, find molarity (M) of each component by multiplying the molarity of the buffer by
decimal fraction of each component.

MA- = 0.1 M * 0.7336 = 0.07336 M

MHA = 0.1 M * 0.2664 = 0.02664 M

Next, calculate moles of each component in buffer. Moles = Molarity * Liter of buffer.

Moles A- =0.07336 M * 0.25 L = 0.01834 moles

Moles HA = 0.02664 * 0.25 L = 0.0066 moles

Finally, volume required :

VA- = 0.1 / 0.01834

VA- = 0.1834 L

VHA = 0.1/0.0066

VHA = 0.0666 L
2. What is buffer capacity? What determine the capacity of a buffer?

Buffer capacity can be explained by the ability of a solution to resist changes in pH by either
absorbing or desorbing H+ and OH- ions. The effect on pH change can be large or small,
depending on both the initial pH and the capacity of the buffer to resist change in pH if an acid
or base is added to the buffer system. Buffer capacity also can be defined as the moles of an
acid or base necessary to change the pH of a solution by 1, divided by the pH change and the
volume of the buffer in liters. The closer the buffered pH is to the pKa, the greater the buffering
capacity.

The buffer capacity depends on the amounts of substance of the weak acid and its conjugated
base in the buffer. It is in fact directly related to the first derivative of the buffer titration curve,
or, in other words, the slope of the titration curve. As the slope of the titration curve is the
smallest at the acid : base ratio 1:1, the buffer capacity is maximal at the same point (the second
derivative of the titration curve is equal to zero at the same point).

References

OSU Chemistry REEL Program. (2011). Buffer Capacity. . [Online]. [Accessed 9-08-2018].
Available from world wide web: https://research.chemistry.ohio-state.edu/reel/research-
modules/environmental-chemistry/methods/buffer-capacity/

Eco Hurdles. (2012). Importance of Buffers in Physiological, Natural and Industrial Systems.
[Online]. [Accessed 9-08-2018]. Available from world wide web: http://environmental-
realm.blogspot.my/

Buffer Solutions. [Online]. [Accessed 9-08-2018]. Available from world wide web:
http://www.chem.purdue.edu