Question

Describe the buffer capacity of the acetic acid buffer solution in relation to the addition of both concentrated and dilute acids and bases.

Answer 1

Answer:

The answer is in the explanation

Explanation:

Acetic acid, CH₃COOH, is a weak acid that will produce a buffer when its conjugate base, CH₃COO⁻, acetate ion, is added to the solution.

That is because a buffer is the mixture of a weak acid and its conjugate base or vice versa.

When an acid (HX) is added to the solution, the acetate ion will react producing acetic acid, thus:

CH₃COO⁻ + HX → CH₃COOH + X⁻

For this reason, the pH doesn't change abruptly because H⁺ ions are not produced.

Now, if a  base (BOH) is added to the buffer, CH₃COOH will react producing acetate ion and water, thus:

CH₃COOH + BOH → CH₃COO⁻ + H₂O + B⁺.

In the same way, there are not produced free OH⁻ and the pH doesn't change significantly.