Chemistry: How to do it right

By Conor Dillon-leetch Click to edit Master subtitle style

5/17/12

Knowing that HCl is a strong acid, it is already presumed to have complete dissociation, therefore the addition of water simply makes the [H+] concentration decrease proportionately. However as Ethanoic acid is weak, it is not already completely dissociated and 5/17/12 is in a weak acid equilibrium. The

c) (i) Define the term buffer solution.

Answer: A solution that maintains an almost constant (1) pH for small additions (1) of an acid or a base. It is not accepted to say:

resists small change(s) in pH pH does not change

5/17/12

(ii) What is the substance in the fruit that produces a buffer with sodium citrate?

First, you must recall that a buffer solution is made up of a weak acid and its salt.

From this and the information given in the question you can deduce that as the salt in the buffer has already been named in the question, the question is looking for you to identify the acid.

5/17/12

Ideal Answer: A buffer solution is made of a weak acid and its salt. The salt fully dissociates and produces a reservoir of A- ions, in the case of methanoic acid and sodium methanoate, HCOO-. The acid only dissociates very slightly and produces a reservoir of HCOOH. for recognising reservoir of HA and A(1)
5/17/12