Buffers and neutralisation

Buffers and neutralisation

1. What is a buffer?

   • It is a system which minimises pH changes on addition of small amounts of an acid or a base
   • A buffer solution is a mixture of a weak acid HA and its conjugate base A-
   • A buffer is made from either reacting a weak acid and a strong alkali together, or it can be formed from a weak acid and a salt of the weak acid.

2. Weak acid and conjugate salt

   • The weak acid only dissociates partially meaning there is a high concentration of weak acid.
   • The conjugate base fully dissociates meaning there is a high concentration of the conjugate salt.