Chemistry / Unit 10 Chem 1890 short lesson, about 20 seconds
Buffer Composition Requirement
Captions available
The idea
An effective buffer needs comparable amounts of a weak acid and its conjugate base, since running out of either removes its capacity to absorb more.
In practice
Acetic acid and sodium acetate in roughly equal amounts buffer well; pure acetic acid alone does not.
Where people slip
A weak acid alone, with no conjugate base present, is only half the needed pair.
Your place on the trail
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