How are buffers made?

1 Answer
Jul 14, 2017

Take a weak acid, and add approx. 1/2 equiv of strong base........

Explanation:

Alternatively, take a weak base, and add approx. 1/2 equiv of strong acid......

Anyway, take a look at this old answer which derives the buffer equation.........

#underbrace(-log_10[H_3O^+])_"pH"=underbrace(-log_10K_a)_(pK_a)+log_10{([A^-])/([HA])}#

i.e. #"pH"=pK_a+log_10{([A^-])/([HA])}#

And thus we need an acid whose #pK_a# is TOLERABLY close to the value of the #pH# whose value you are trying to regulate. Is this clear?