Buffer Solutions Essay

269 Words2 Pages
Buffer Solutions A buffer solution is water mixed with a chemical to give it special properties in regards to pH (acidity). The chemical, known as a buffer agent, resists pH changes when exposed to acids and bases when properly mixed in a solution. This property makes it extremely useful in protecting sensitive equipment, dealing with chemical accidents, and even in balancing the internal processes of living things. The pH Scale Is a measure of the acidity or basicity of an aqueous solution. Solutions with a pH less than 7 are said to be acidic and solutions with a pH greater than 7 are basic or alkaline. Pure water has a pH very close to 7. Measurement of pH for aqueous solutions can be done with a glass electrode and a pH meter, or using indicators. pH measurements are important in medicine, biology, chemistry, agriculture, forestry, food science, environmental science, oceanography,civil engineering, chemical engineering, nutrition, water treatment & water purification, and many other applications. Types of Buffer Solutions There are two types of buffers, acid buffer and basic buffer. Acid buffer: * A buffer solution containing a large amounts of a weak acid, and its * salt with a strong base, is termed as an acid buffer. Such buffer solutions have pH on the acidic side i.e., pH is less than 7 at 298 K. Basic buffer: * A buffer solution containing relatively large amounts of a weak base and its salt with a strong acid, is termed as a basic buffer. Such buffers have pH on the alkaline side i.e., pH is higher than 7 at 298
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