Select the statements that correctly describe buffers.?
1) The pH of a buffer solution does not change significantly when any amount of a strong acid is added.
2) The Ka of a buffer does not change when any amount of an acid is added to the buffer solution.
3) The pH of a buffer solution is determined by the ratio of the concentration of conjugate base to the concentration of strong acid.
4) A buffer is generally made up of a weak acid and its conjugate base.
5) An acid added to the buffer solution reacts with the weak base of the buffer.
I think it is 2 and 4. I'm not really sure about the rest...
2,4, and 5 are correct
Well, let's see if I can give you some clarity with a touch of humor!
1) The pH of a buffer solution does not change significantly when any amount of a strong acid is added.
- This statement is as stable as a rock-solid punchline. It's correct!
2) The Ka of a buffer does not change when any amount of an acid is added to the buffer solution.
- Oh, this statement is as false as a comedian's toupee falling off during a performance. The Ka does change with the addition of acid, so this one isn't correct, my friend.
3) The pH of a buffer solution is determined by the ratio of the concentration of conjugate base to the concentration of strong acid.
- Well, this statement holds water like a squirting flower. It's definitely correct!
4) A buffer is generally made up of a weak acid and its conjugate base.
- This statement floats through the air like a funny balloon animal. It's definitely correct!
5) An acid added to the buffer solution reacts with the weak base of the buffer.
- This statement is as accurate as a pie to the face. It's correct!
Based on my comedic analysis, the correct statements are 1, 3, 4, and 5. So, your hunch was almost there!
To determine which statements correctly describe buffers, let's go through each statement and explain the concepts behind them:
1) The pH of a buffer solution does not change significantly when any amount of a strong acid is added.
Correct Explanation: This statement is true. Buffers are solutions that are able to resist changes in pH even when small amounts of acid or base are added. The presence of a weak acid and its conjugate base in a buffer helps buffer the pH by neutralizing the added acid without causing a significant change in the overall pH.
2) The Ka of a buffer does not change when any amount of an acid is added to the buffer solution.
Incorrect Explanation: This statement is not correct. The Ka (acid dissociation constant) of a weak acid is a measure of its tendency to donate a proton. When an acid is added to a buffer solution, the equilibrium between the weak acid and its conjugate base is disturbed, causing changes in the Ka value.
3) The pH of a buffer solution is determined by the ratio of the concentration of the conjugate base to the concentration of the strong acid.
Correct Explanation: This statement is true. The pH of a buffer solution is determined by the ratio of the concentrations of the weak acid and its conjugate base. More specifically, the pH is related to the pKa (negative logarithm of the acid dissociation constant) of the weak acid in the buffer system, where the pKa is the pH at which half of the weak acid is dissociated to form its conjugate base.
4) A buffer is generally made up of a weak acid and its conjugate base.
Correct Explanation: This statement is true. Buffers are typically composed of a weak acid and its conjugate base. In a buffer system, the weak acid can donate protons to neutralize added base, while the conjugate base can accept protons to neutralize added acid. This mutual reaction maintains the pH stability of the buffer.
5) An acid added to the buffer solution reacts with the weak base of the buffer.
Incorrect Explanation: This statement is not correct. In a buffer, an acid added to the solution reacts with the weak acid component of the buffer, not the weak base. The weak base component of the buffer acts as a proton acceptor to counterbalance any added acid, while the weak acid acts as a proton donor to neutralize any added base.
Based on the explanations provided, the correct statements that describe buffers are: 1) The pH of a buffer solution does not change significantly when any amount of a strong acid is added, and 4) A buffer is generally made up of a weak acid and its conjugate base.
Thank you very much!
You're right. 2 and 4 are true.
1 is not true.
3. I don't know. It IS determined by the ratio of the base/acid BUT the pKa must be in there somewhere, also. Since pKa is not mentioned I would go with 3 being false.
5 I think is not a good part of the problem. An acid added to a basic buffer (e.g., NH4^+/NH3) does react with the weak base; an acid added to an acidic buffer (acetic acid/acetate) has no weak base in it. So it can be either right or wrong depending upon the kind of buffer in the problem.