What are Buffers?
A buffer is an aqueous solution (any solution where water is the solvent), that has a stable pH. The pH of a buffered solution would not change significantly if you add acid or base to it. Additionally adding water to a buffer will not change the pH of the buffer.
Buffers are important for processes and reactions that require stable and specific pH.
Buffers are important for processes and reactions that require stable and specific pH.
How is a Buffer Made?
To make a buffer you mix a large volume of a weak base or weak acid, with its conjugate. A weak acid and its conjugate base can be in a solution with neutralizing each other, and same goes for a weak base and its conjugate acid.
How do Buffers Work?
When you add hydrogen ions to a buffer, they will be neutralized by the base that is in the buffer, and hydroxide ions will be neutralized by the acid in the buffer. The overall pH of the solution will not be effected by these neutralization reactions.
How are Buffers used in Everyday Life?
Buffers are important in many commercial household products. For example, shampoo has buffers of citric acid and sodium hydroxide which balance out the alkalinity of soap, which could irritate the scalp if buffers were not present. Also baby lotion can help relieve rashes faster, because baby lotion is buffered to an acidic pH (slightly acidic-weak acid) of about 6. This helps prevent the growth of bacteria. Buffers are also used in alcohol production. In the process of fermentation when sugars convert to alcohol with no oxygen, and without being regulated, the material that is being fermented could spoil. So alcohol manufacturers add buffers to their mixes before fermentation in order to regulate the pH levels, so that spoilage due to solutions becoming too acidic is not possible.
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