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Chemistry · L4 · Buffer Response to Added Strong Acid or Base

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The mole-based bookkeeping process for finding a buffer's new pH after adding a strong acid or base: which component is consumed, which is produced, and why the resulting pH swing depends on how close the buffer already is to a 1:1 ratio.

by @openstemUpdated Chemistry
Start: buffer with knownmoles of HA and A-Strong acid orstrong base added?H+ reacts with A-:A- decreases, HA increasesOH- reacts with HA:HA decreases, A- increasesRecalculate molesof HA and A-Apply pH = pKa + log(A-/HA)with the new mole ratioIs one componentnearly exhausted?Large pH swing:buffer capacity lowSmall pH swing:buffer capacity highStrong acid H+Strong base OH-Yes, ratio far from 1:1No, ratio still near 1:1

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