Experiment 3: Buffer solutions

Objectives: To prepare several buffers and investigate their properties

Theory:

A solution of a weak acid and one of its salts or a week base and one of its salts, in

approximately in equal concentrations, resists changes in pH when acid or base added to it. A

solution with this property is called a buffer.

The important equilibrium in an acidic buffer is

HA(aq) + H2O(l) A-(aq) + H3O+(aq)

The Henderson- Hasselbalch equation

[𝑏𝑎𝑠𝑒]
𝑝𝐻 = 𝑝𝐾𝑎 +
[𝑎𝑐𝑖𝑑]

can be used to describe a buffer quantitatively. The equation gives reliable results if [base] and

[acid] are 0.001 M or greater, and if the concentration of either of them is not more than ten

times the concentration of the other. The constraint that

[𝑏𝑎𝑠𝑒]
10 ≥ ⁄[𝑎𝑐𝑖𝑑]

0.1, applied to the above equation, means that

pH = pKa ± 1
that is, a given acid will form and effective buffer if the pH of the buffer is within one unit of the

pKa for the acid.

For example the pKa for acetic acid is 4.74, and the pH range for an effective buffer race from

3.74 to 5.74. If a buffer for pH 6.00 is nedded, acetic acid would not be an appropriate choice.

Preparation of buffers:

Buffer is more commonly prepared by making a solution of weak acid and adding base to

generate base.

You will prepare buffers using the compounds listed in table 01.

Acid compound Acid form Base form Ka pKa

NH4Cl NH4+ NH3(aq) 5.5 x 10-10 9.26

Na2H2PO4.2H2O(S) H2PO4- HPO42- 7.41 x 10-7 7.13

HAc HC2H3O2 C2H3O2- 1.82 x 10-5 4.74

Procedure

1. You will prepare …………. ml of a buffer with pH …………….. and 0.10 M acid
concentration

Necessary calculations;

 Determine the correct acide-conjugate base pair to prepare the buffer in above.
  Calculate mililiters of 1.00 M NaOH need.

 Calculate grams/ mililiters of week acid need.

2. Prepare your buffer and measure and record its pH.

3. Transfer 20.0 ml of your buffer to a clean, 250 ml beaker, dilute with distilled water to 200 ml

mix thoroughly and measure and record the pH of the diluted buffer.

4. Dilute 20.0 ml of your diluted buffer in step 3 to 200 ml and measure and record its pH.

Discard both diluted solutions.

5. Transfer 50.0 ml of your original buffer to a clean 100 ml of 0.10 M NaOH, if it is basic, add

10.0 ml of 0.10 M HCl. Mix the solutions thoroughly and measure and record its pH. Discard the

solutions.

6. Repeat the procedure of step 5, using 50.00 ml of distilled water instead of buffer.

7. (i) In a clean dry beaker, mix 3.0 ml of 0.20 M HC2H3O2 with 30.0 ml of 0.20 M NaC2H3O2

and measure and record the pH.

(ii) Add 12.0 ml of 0.20 M HC2H3O2 and measure and record the pH.

(iii) Add 12.0 ml of 0.20 M HC2H3O2 to the solution, mix well, and measure and record the

pH.

(iv) Add 15.0 ml of 0.20 M HC2H3O2 to the solution, mix well, and measure and record the

pH.
8. (i) In a clean dry beaker, mix 3.0 ml of 0.20 M NaC2H3O2 with 30.0 ml of 0.20 M

HC2H3O2and measure and record the pH.

(ii) Add 12.0 ml of 0.20 M NaC2H3O2 , mix and measure and record the pH.

(iii) Add 12.0 ml of 0.20 M NaC2H3O2 to the solution, mix well, and measure and record the

pH.

Results:

Step No. Measured pH value

Calculations:

1. Calculate the predicted pH of the solution you prepared in step 5.

2. Calculate the pH of the solution you prepared in step 6.

3. Calculate the pH of each solution you prepared in steps 7 and 8 and record these figures in the

results section above.