STUDENT

WORKSHEET
CHEMISTRY
BUFFER SOLUTIONS
HIGH SCHOOL CLASS XI
SEMESTER 2

MEMBERS OF GROUP :
1.
2.
3.
4.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

1. Students are able to design experiment to determine the

properties of buffer solution in small group. (Inquiry steps)
2. Students are able to conducting experiment to determine the
properties of buffer solution in small group. (Inquiry steps)
3. Students are able to presenting experiment result of the
properties of buffer solutions. (Reporting result)

BASIC THEORY
BUFFER SOLUTIONS
Buffer solution is a solution include to weak acid or weak base and salt, two
components that must exist. This solution is able to resist changes in pH when the additing
of a little acid or base. Buffer solution is very important in chemical and biological system.
pH role in the human body is very diverse from one fluid to another fluid, such as blood pH
is around 7,4 while gastric fluid pH of about 1,5. The pH value is essential for the enzyme to
work properly and that the osmotic pressure remain balanced, in many cases mantained by
the buffer.
Buffer solution must contain a high enough concentration of acid to react with OH ions were added to him and must contain the same high concentration of base to react with
H+ ions were added. In addition, the acid and base components of the buffer should not be
mutually spend in a neutralization reaction. These requirements aremet by the conjugate
acid base pair (weak acid and base conjugate or a weak base and acid conjugate)
Simple buffer solution can be prepared by adding acetic acid (CH3COOH) and
sodium acetate (CH3COONa) in an amount equal to the water. Both equilibrium
concentration of acid ang base conjugate (from CH3COONa)is assumed equal to the initial
concentration. This is because (1) CH3COOH is weak acid and hydrolysis ion CH3COO- is
very small and (2) the presence of ions CH3COO- suppress ionization of CH3COOH, and
presence of CH3COOH ions suppress hydrolysis CH3COO-.
The second solution containingthis substance is able to neutralize the acid or base is
added. Sodium acetate, a strong electrolyte, perfect ionized water.
H2O
CH3COONa(s) CH3COO-(aq) + Na+(aq)
If the acid is added, the ions H+ will be consumed by the conjugate base in the buffer,
CH3COO-, based on the equation
CH3COO-(aq) + H+(aq) CH3COOH(aq)
If that is added to the buffer system is base, OH- ions will be neutralized by the acid
in the buffer :
CH3COOH(aq) + OH-(aq) CH3COO-(aq) + H2O(l)

PHENOMENA
Most of the biochemical reactions in our bodies can only take place at certain pH.
Therefore, body fluids should be a buffer solution that is always a constant pH when
metabolism takes place. Under normal circumstances, the pH in the body fluids including
blood we are 7,35-7,5. Although a large number of H+ is always a part of the metabolism of
substances but the equilibrium state should always be maintained by throwing the excess
acid. This is due to a decerase in pH showed little ill. Buffer solution plays an important role
in their daily lives. Some function of the buffer solution in life can be learned in the
following description.
The human bodys blood pH range from 7,35-7,45. Blood pH should not be less than
7,0 and must not exceed 7,8 because it would be fatal to humans. Organ most responsible
for maintaining blood pH are the lungs and kidneys. A condition in which blood pH less
than 7,35 is called acidosis. Factors that influence the occurrence of acidosis
condidtionsincluding heart, disease, kidney, diabetes, and continuous diarrhea. While the
condidtion in which the blood pH mire than 7,45 is called alkolisis. This condition is caused
violent vomiting, hyperventilation (breathing to fast when conditions because anxious or
hysterical at altitude). In order to mantain stable blood pH, in the blood, there are several
natural buffer solutions. Buffer solution in the human body:
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.

Hemoglobin buffer
Carbonate buffer
Phosphate buffer
In respiratory system
In kidneys
Enzymes in oral cavity

From that phenomena we get to know that in our body regulatory buffer solutions have
function to maintain pH at certain pH (range from 7,35-7,45) to keep our body
metabolism works. How do buffer solutions could maintain pH in our blood?
To answer that question lets do investigate the properties of buffer solutions; resistance
change in pH by following experiment. To know how the properties are, we will
investigate the effect of:
1. Addition of small amount of strong acid buffer solutions.
2. Addition of small amount of strong base buffer solutions.
3. Dilution using aquades in buffer solutions.

PREPARE TO EXPERIMENT
1. Problem Formulation
Make the problem formulation of the above phenomena!
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2. Hypothesis
From problem formulation of the above phenomena, make the hypothesis!
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3. Problem solving plan to test the hypothesis by experiment to test the
hypothesis that you have made. Do the following steps :
a. Write tools necessary ingredient in the experiment :
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b. Write the step of experiment :
Step of experiment
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4. Write variables contained in the experiment!
Control variable :
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Independent variable :
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Dependent variable :
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5. Data and Data Analysis
Solutions

C olour Changes and pH

Drops HCl 0,5 M
Two drops of
universal indicator
2 drops until 16 drops

Data Analysis
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6. Answer the following question to make conclusion.

a.
What is definition of a buffer solution?
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b.

How is the properties of the buffer solution?

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c.

What happens if the mixture CH3COOH and CH3COONa is added

HCl?
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d.

What happens if the mixture NH4OH and NH4Cl is added HCl?

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7. Conclusion
Conclusion that can be make from the experiments that have been performed
is:
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~ GOOD LUCK ~

WORKSHEET KEY ANSWER

1. Problem Formulation
Make the problem formulation of the above phenomena!
How to maintain the acid base balance in the body? (reflected to below)
- What is the effect of addition of small amount of strong acid or strong base and
diluting in buffer solution?
2. Hypothesis
From problem formulation of the above phenomena, make the hypothesis!
pH equilibrium allows normal body function that is applied to the body to
fight disease. A healthy body maintains adequate alkaline reserves to meet
emergency needs. When axcess acids must be neutralized alkaline reserve are
depleted leaving the body in a weakened condition. So acid-base is still
balanced because of the existence of buffer solution.
- Buffer solutions tends to resist pH change agaisnt addition of small amount
of strong acid or strong base and diluting in buffer solution?
3. Problem solving plan to test the hypothesis by experiment to test the
hypothesis that you have made. Do the following steps :
a. Write tools and materials necessary in the experiment :
- Test tube
- Test tube shelf
- Measuring flask 10 mL
- Beaker glass 50 mL
- pipette
- Universal indicator
- HCl 0,5 M
- CH3COOH 0,5 M
- CH3COONa 0,5 M
- NH4OH 0,5 M
- NH4Cl 0,5 m
- Orange juice
- Sprite
- Aquades
b. Write the step of experiment :
Step of experiment
... kayak di kimdas lanjut tapi Cuma penambahan asam aja.

4. Write variables contained in the experiment!

Control variable :
two drops universal indicator, volume of buffer solution
Independent variable :
Solution, drops of HCl 0,5 M
Dependent variable :
Colour changes (pH)
5. Data and Data Analysis
Solutions
Test tube 1
Test tube 2
Orange juice
Sprite
Aquades

C olour Changes and pH

Drops HCl 0,5 M
Two drops of
universal indicator
2 drops until 16 drops
Orange (pH 5)
Light orange (pH 5 until pH
4) in 16 or more drops
Blue (pH 8)
Light purple (pH 8) in 16 or
more drops
Pink (pH 3)
Light Pink (pH 3) in 16 or
more drops
Orange (pH 5)
Light orange (until pH 4) 16
or more drops
Green (pH 7)
Dark purple (pH 12) in 2
drops

Data Analysis
Solution belongs to buffer solutions are Test tube 1, Test tube 2, orange juice,
and sprite. The pH of that solution are maintaned.
6. Answer the following question to make conclusion.
a. What is definition of a buffer solution?
Buffer solution is a solution include to weak acid or weak base and salt,
two components that must exist. This solution is able to resist changes
in pH when the additing of a little acid or base.
b. How is the properties of the buffer solutions?
pH changed little by little (not so slightly) of addition small amount of
strong acids or strong bases and dilution with aquades.
c. What happens if the mixture CH3COOH and CH3COONa is added HCl?

When HCl is added, ion H+will consumned base conjugate in buffer, CH3COO-.
According to the reaction:
CH3COO-(aq) +H+ (aq) CH3COOH(aq)

d. What happens if the mixture NH4OH and NH4Cl is added HCl?

When HCl is added, ion H+ will consumned base conjugate in buffer, NH4+.
According to the reaction :
NH4+(aq) + H+(aq)

NH4OH(aq)

7. Conclusion
Buffer solution is resistance to change in pH though:
1. Added of small amount of strong acid.
2. Added of small amount of strong base.
3. Dilutied using aquades.