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CHEM 142
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Buffer

Buffer:  A mixture of a weak acid and its conjugate base in roughly equal proportions

Facts about buffers:

1.  Their pH is completely unchanged by dilution by water.

2.  The addition of small enough amounts of strong acid or base will only change the pH slightly.

Three ways to make a buffer

1.  Mix a weak acid and the salt of its conjugate base in roughly equal molar proportions.

2.  Add a strong base to a weak acid, but not too much.

3.  Add a strong acid to a weak base, but not too much.

Last Updated: 11/17/2014
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