Discussion
Discussion
Beaker
Content of Samples
Initial pH
Beaker
Content of Samples
Initial pH
12
12
12
12
12
12
12
12
DISCUSSION
1. From your results in this experiment, which solution of those you tested had the
greatest buffer capacity:
i. Toward strong acid?
ii. Toward strong base?
Discuss.
The solution we tested had the greatest buffer solution toward strong acid and strong base is
beaker 5 which contain 10g of sodium acetate and 50mL of 0.1M acetic acid. Whereas, the
solution we tested had the greatest buffer solution toward strong base is also beaker 5 which
contain of10g of sodium acetate and 50mL of 0.1M acetic acid.
The buffer capacity is greatest when there are equal amount of weak acid and conjugate base
or weak base and conjugate acid. In addition, as the overall amount of weak acid and
conjugate base goes up the buffering capacity of the solutions go up (same as for weak base
and conjugate acid). The higher the concentration, the larger the buffering capacity. The
buffer capacity depends on the concentration of the weak acid or base and its conjugate acid
or base present.
b. NH3/NH4NO3
c. NaHPO4/NaH2PO4
HCl is a strong acid and hence this is not a buffer system. NH 3 is a weak base and NH4NO3 is
a salt of weak base, and therefore this is a buffer system. NaH2PO4 and Na2HPO4 are an
acid/base conjugate pair, therefore this is a buffer system.
pOH = - lgKb + lg
[ salt ]
[base]
= - lg 1.8 x 10-5 + lg
= 5.11
pH
= 14.00 - 5.11
= 8.89
0.35
0.15