Question

A buffer is a solution that is a mixture of either a weak acid and its conjugate base or a weak base and its conjugate acid. When strong acids or strong bases are added, buffers either accept protons when they are in excess or donate protons when they have been depleted to minimize changes in pH. Which of the statements correctly describe the properties of a buffer? Select one or more: a. The conjugate acid of an alkaline buffer will accept hydrogen protons when a strong base is added to the solution. b. The weak base of an alkaline buffer will accept hydrogen protons when a strong acid is added to the solution. c. The weak base of an alkaline buffer will donate hydrogen protons when a strong acid is added to the solution. d. The conjugate acid of an alkaline buffer will donate hydrogen protons when a strong base is added to the solution. e. An alkaline buffer solution is a mixture of a weak base and its conjugate acid. f. An alkaline buffer solution is a mixture of a weak acid and its conjugate base.

Answer 1

Answer:

b. The weak base of an alkaline buffer will accept hydrogen protons when a strong acid is added to the solution

d.The conjugate acid of an alkaline buffer will donate hydrogen protons when a strong base is added to the solution.

Explanation:

A buffer is a solution that resist pH change, it shows minimal change upon addition of small amount of strong acid or strong base. An alkaline buffer will have a  basic pH, above 7. It is made by mixing a weak base and its salt with a strong acid. An example of an alkaline buffer is carbonate-bicarbonate buffer that is prepared using varying amount of anhydrous sodium carbonate and volume of solution of sodium bicarbonate to get pH range between 9.2 to 10.7

Within the buffer,the salt is completely ionized while the weak base is partly ionized. on addition of acid, the released protons will be removed by the bicarbonate ion to form sodium carbonate; on addition of base, the hydroxide ion released by the base will be removed by the hydrogen ions to form water and the pH remains relatively the same