Scribd Logo
Upload

Welcome to Scribd!

  • 3 views

    Toop

    Uploaded by

    yac.benallal

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd

    Toop

    Uploaded by

    yac.benallal
    3 views3 pages

    Copyright

    © © All Rights Reserved

    Available Formats

    PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd

    Did you find this document useful?

    Is this content inappropriate?

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    3 views3 pages

    Toop

    Uploaded by

    yac.benallal

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    of 3

    Introduction

    We are studying the properties of a buffer solution by preparing an equimolar


    mixture of ethanoic acid (CH3 COOH) and sodium hydroxide (NaOH) to form
    a solution with a target pH of 4.75. This experiment demonstrates the buffer’s
    ability to resist changes in pH when acids, bases, or water are added.

    Chemical Equation
    The buffer solution is created through the following chemical reaction:
    CH3 COOH + OH− → CH3 COO− + H2 O
    In this reaction, ethanoic acid reacts with OH− ions from NaOH, forming
    ethanoate ions (CH3 COO− ) and water. The buffer system is thus composed
    of CH3 COOH (weak acid) and CH3 COO− (its conjugate base).

    Table 1: Influence of Adding Acid


    Comparison of Results
    When adding small amounts of HCl (0.1 M) to the buffer solution and distilled
    water, we observe the following:
    • Buffer Solution: The pH of the buffer remains relatively stable with
    each addition of HCl, showing only minor decreases in pH. This stability
    is due to the buffer’s ability to neutralize the added H+ ions through the
    reaction:
    CH3 COO− + H+ → CH3 COOH
    • Distilled Water: In contrast, the pH of distilled water drops significantly
    with each addition of HCl, as it lacks buffering capacity to neutralize the
    H+ ions.

    Conclusion
    The buffer solution successfully resists changes in pH upon the addition of acid,
    demonstrating its ability to neutralize H+ ions. Distilled water, however, shows
    a large pH decrease, highlighting the importance of buffer solutions in main-
    taining stable pH levels.

    Table 2: Influence of Adding Base


    Comparison of Results
    When adding small amounts of NaOH (0.1 M) to the buffer solution and distilled
    water, we observe:

    1
    • Buffer Solution: The pH of the buffer remains stable despite the ad-
    dition of NaOH, with only minor increases. This stability is due to the
    buffer’s ability to neutralize the added OH− ions through the reaction:
    CH3 COOH + OH− → CH3 COO− + H2 O

    • Distilled Water: The pH of distilled water increases significantly with


    each addition of NaOH, as it has no buffering capability to neutralize the
    OH− ions.

    Conclusion
    The buffer solution resists pH changes upon the addition of a base, demonstrat-
    ing its ability to neutralize OH− ions. Distilled water shows a large increase in
    pH, emphasizing the buffer’s role in resisting changes in basic conditions.

    Table 3: Influence of Dilution


    Comparison of Results
    When diluting the buffer solution and comparing it to pure ethanoic acid, we
    observe:
    • Buffer Solution: The pH of the buffer remains relatively stable even with
    dilutions of 2, 10, and 20 times. This stability arises because a buffer’s pH
    depends on the ratio of acid to conjugate base, which remains constant
    upon dilution.
    • Ethanoic Acid: The pH of ethanoic acid increases significantly with each
    dilution, as the concentration of H+ ions decreases with dilution.

    Conclusion
    The buffer solution shows minimal change in pH upon dilution, demonstrating
    its resistance to pH changes due to the constant ratio of acid and conjugate base.
    Ethanoic acid alone, however, shows a marked increase in pH, highlighting the
    unique stability that buffers provide.

    Answer: Why We Stop at pH 4.75


    We stop adjusting the pH at 4.75 because this is the pKa of ethanoic acid.
    At this pH, the concentrations of CH3 COOH (acid) and CH3 COO− (conjugate
    base) are equal. This balance makes the buffer solution most effective at resisting
    pH changes, as it has an equal capacity to neutralize both added acids and bases.
    This optimal buffering occurs according to the Henderson-Hasselbalch equation:
     − 
    [A ]
    pH = pKa + log
    [HA]

    2
    where pH = pKa when [A− ] = [HA]. Thus, setting the pH to 4.75 ensures
    maximum buffer efficiency.

    You might also like