BUFFERS

for GENERAL CHEMISTRY 2 /Grade 12

Quarter 4 / Week 4

1 NegOr_Q4_GenChem2-12_SLK Week4_v2
NegOr_Q4_GenChem2-12_SLK Week4_v2
 FOREWORD

This learning kit will serve as guide for learners to their understanding buffers.
This learning kit is carefully prepared with a set of activities guided with
contextualized discussions and illustrations that meet the standards of the K12
curriculum. In using this learning kit, learners will realize that chemistry is a
central science because it connects to other fields of science like physics and life
science. The activities included herein are simple, readily understandable, and
easy to do. In doing so, learners will be given opportunity to broaden their
knowledge and enhance their resourcefulness and creativity in performing
activities provided to them. This will enable them to develop their critical
thinking skills. It is hoped that their understanding of the basic concepts will
benefit them in many ways and the skills they acquired in using this kit may
help them in dealing with practical problems. Students will find this self-
learning kit very interesting and useful.

OBJECTIVES

At the end of the lesson, the learners are expected to:

K : describe a buffer solution
2 NegOr_Q4_GenChem2-12_SLK Week4_v2
 S : calculate the ph of a buffer solution using the Henderson
Hasselbalch equation
A : recognize the importance of buffer solutions in real life.

LEARNING COMPETENCIES
- Describe how a buffer solution maintains its ph (STEM_GC11ABIVfg-160)
- Calculate the pH of a buffer solution using the Henderson
Hasselbalch equation( STEM_GC11ABIVf-g-161)

I. WHAT HAPPENED
Pre-activity/Pre-test

A. Directions: True or False. Write T if the statement is correct, F if

otherwise. Write your answer in your notebook.

_______1. A buffer is an aqueous solution consisting of a mixture of a weak

acid and its conjugate base, or vice versa.
_______2. A conjugate acid is a species formed by the gain of a proton by a
base while in reverse, a conjugate base is a species formed by the
removal of a proton from an acid.
_______3. The Henderson-Hasselbalch equation can be used to calculate the
specific pH of a given buffer.
_______4. If an acid is added to the substance, the conjugate base of the buffer
neutralizes the acid added. If a base is added to the substance, the
conjugate acid of the buffer neutralizes the base added.

3 NegOr_Q4_GenChem2-12_SLK Week4_v2
II.WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
DISCUSSION
Under normal conditions the pH of our blood is within the range of 7.3 -
7.45, close to neutral but slightly basic. Outside this pH range, it may result in
many diseases. Blood is a watery solution that contains many solutes including
the dissolved gases carbon dioxide (CO2) and oxygen. Dissolved CO2 in blood
produces a weak acid. The higher the concentration of dissolved CO 2, the more
acidic your blood becomes. Our bodies could not take it if our blood is too
acidic. How should it be resolved then? Buffers!

The buffer that maintains the pH of our blood includes carbonic acid
(H2CO3), bicarbonate ion (HCO3–), and carbon dioxide (CO2). When bicarbonate
ions combine with free hydrogen ions and become carbonic acid, hydrogen ions
are removed, controlling pH changes. Similarly, excess carbonic acid can be
converted into carbon dioxide gas and exhaled through the lungs; this prevents
too many free hydrogen ions from building up in the blood and hazardously
lowering its pH; likewise, if too much OH– is introduced into the system,
carbonic acid will combine with it to create bicarbonate, lowering the pH.
Without this buffer system, the body’s pH would fluctuate enough to jeopardize
survival.

Source: https://courses.lumenlearning.com/introchem/chapter/ph-buffers-acids-and-bases/

Buffers are solutions that contain a weak acid and its conjugate base; as
such, they can absorb excess H+ ions or OH– ions, thereby maintaining an
overall steady pH in the solution.

*A conjugate acid is a species formed by the gain of a proton by a base

while in reverse, a conjugate base is a species formed by the removal of a
proton from an acid.

We can understand this by the following equation:

4 NegOr_Q4_GenChem2-12_SLK Week4_v2
 Acid + Base ⇌ Conjugate Base + Conjugate Acid

H2O (l) + NH3 (g) → OH− (aq) + NH4+ (aq)

In this equation H2O is the conjugate acid and its corresponding conjugate
base is OH− while NH3 and NH4+ represent the base and its conjugate acid pair.
Note that the stronger the acid or base, the weaker the conjugate, and the weaker
the acid or base, the stronger the conjugate.

How can a buffer maintain the pH of a substance?

Simply, if an acid is added to the substance, the conjugate base of the

buffer neutralizes the acid added. If a base is added to the substance, the
conjugate acid of the buffer neutralizes the base added.

Calculating the pH of a buffer solution

To calculate the specific pH of a given buffer, you need to use the

Henderson-Hasselbalch equation for acidic buffers:

[𝐴−] [𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑗𝑢𝑔𝑎𝑡𝑒 𝑏𝑎𝑠𝑒] pH = 𝑝𝐾𝑎 + 𝑙𝑜𝑔 [ 𝐻𝐴]

or pH = 𝑝𝐾𝑎 + 𝑙𝑜𝑔 [𝑤𝑒𝑎𝑘 𝑎𝑐𝑖𝑑]

where pH is the concentration of [H +], Ka is the "dissociation constant" for the

weak acid, [A-] is the concentration of conjugate base and [HA] is the
concentration of the weak acid

For alkaline buffers, the Henderson-Hasselbach equation is:

[𝐵+] [𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑗𝑢𝑔𝑎𝑡𝑒 𝑎𝑐𝑖𝑑]

pH = 𝑝𝐾𝑏 + 𝑙𝑜𝑔 [ 𝐵𝑂𝐻] or pH = 𝑝𝐾𝑏 + 𝑙𝑜𝑔 [𝑤𝑒𝑎𝑘
𝑏𝑎𝑠𝑒]

where Kb is the "dissociation constant" for the weak base, [B+] is the
concentration of conjugate acid and [BOH] is the concentration of the weak
base.

Sample problem 1:

5 NegOr_Q4_GenChem2-12_SLK Week4_v2
What is the pH of a buffer solution consisting of 0.0350 M NH 3 and 0.0500 M
NH4+ (Ka for NH4+ is 5.6 x 10-10)? The equation for the reaction is:
NH4+ → H+ + NH3 Given:
0.0350 M NH3
0.0500 M NH4+
Ka for NH4+ is 5.6 x 10-10 Solution:
Calculate first the pKa (Assuming that the change in concentrations is
negligible in order for the system to reach equilibrium) pH = -
logKa = - log(5.6 x 10 ) = 9.25
-10

Substitute into the Henderson-Hasselbalch equation to get the pH;

[𝑁𝐻
pH = 𝑝𝐾𝑎 + 𝑙𝑜𝑔
4 [𝑁𝐻+]

pH = 9.25 + 𝑙𝑜𝑔
pH = 9.095

Sample problem 2:

Calculate the pH of a buffer solution formed by dissolving 0.350 mole

CH3COOH and 0.550 mole of NaCH3COO in 0.950L solution. Ka CH3COOH =
1.8 x 10 -5. The buffer in the solution is acid buffer made up of

CH3COOH - CH3COO-
Weak acid Conjugate base
[A-] [HA]
Given:
0.350 mole CH3COOH
0.550 mole NaCH3COO
0.950 L solution
Ka CH3COOH = 1.8 x 10 -5
Solution:
Molarity of CH3COOH:

𝑚𝑜𝑙𝑒] 𝑚𝑜𝑙𝑒
𝑀𝑜𝑙𝑎𝑟𝑖𝑡𝑦 (𝐶𝐻3𝐶𝑂𝑂𝐻) = = 0.368
𝐿
Molarity of NaCH3COOH:
6 NegOr_Q4_GenChem2-12_SLK Week4_v2
 −
)= 𝑚𝑜𝑙𝑒] = 0.579 𝑚𝑜𝑙𝑒
𝑀𝑜𝑙𝑎𝑟𝑖𝑡𝑦 (𝐶𝐻3𝐶𝑂𝑂
𝐿

Substitute into the Henderson-Hasselbalch equation to get the pH;

[𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑗𝑢𝑔𝑎𝑡𝑒 𝑏𝑎𝑠𝑒]
pH = 𝑝𝐾𝑎 + 𝑙𝑜𝑔
[𝑤𝑒𝑎𝑘 𝑎𝑐𝑖𝑑]

pH = 9.25 + 𝑙𝑜𝑔

pH = 9.095 + 0.1967 = 4.9367

III. WHAT I HAVE LEARNED

Evaluation/Post-test

Solve for the following: (5 points each)

A. Calculate the pH of a buffer made from 0.28 M HNO 2 and 0.23 M NO2-.
The Ka for HNO2 is 4.6 x 10-4.

B. What is the pH of the solution containing 0.20 M NH 3 and 0.15 M

NH4Cl?

REFERENCES

Lumen. 2013. “Buffer Solutions | Boundless Chemistry.” Lumenlearning.com.

2013.

7 NegOr_Q4_GenChem2-12_SLK Week4_v2
 https://courses.lumenlearning.com/boundlesschemistry/chapter/buffer-
solutions/.

“PH, Buffers, Acids, and Bases | Introduction to Chemistry.” n.d.

Courses.lumenlearning.com. Accessed January 13, 2022.
https://courses.lumenlearning.com/introchem/chapter/phbuffers-acids-
and-bases/.

Silberberg, M. (2006). Chemistry: The molecular nature of matter and change,

4th ed. McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.: New York.

Westlab. 2017. “What Is a Buffer and How Does It Work? Westlab.”

Westlab.com. 2017.
https://www.westlab.com/blog/2017/11/29/what-is-a-bufferand-how-
does-it-work.

DIVISION OF NEGROS ORIENTAL

SENEN PRISCILLO P. PAULIN, CESO V

Schools Division Superintendent

JOELYZA M. ARCILLA EdD

OIC - Assistant Schools Division Superintendent

8 NegOr_Q4_GenChem2-12_SLK Week4_v2
 MARCELO K. PALISPIS EdD JD
OIC – Assistant Schools Division Superintendent

NILITA L. RAGAY EdD

OIC - Assistant Schools Division Superintendent/CID Chief

ROSELA R. ABIERA
Education Program Supervisor – (LRMDS)

ARNOLD R. JUNGCO
PSDS – Division Science Coordinator

MARICEL S. RASID
Librarian II (LRMDS)

ELMAR L. CABRERA
PDO II (LRMDS)

ANDRE ARIEL B. CADIVIDA

Writer

GERALD T. UBAG
Lay-out Artist

ALPHA QA TEAM
EUFRATES G. ANSOK JR.
AGUSTINA C. OMAGUING
NILO JAY A. BAYBAY

BETA QA TEAM
ZENAIDA A. ACADEMIA
ALLAN Z. ALBERTO
EUFRATES G. ANSOK
JR.
ROWENA R. DINOKOT
CHRISTINE A. GARSOLA
LESTER C. PABALINAS

SYNOPSIS

9 NegOr_Q4_GenChem2-12_SLK Week4_v2
 This self-learning kit discusses buffer solutions and their practical
applications in daily life. The discussions herein are contextualized and thus
meet the standards of the K12 curriculum.

In using this learning kit, learners are expected to develop their scientific
abilities and critical thinking skills as they perform various problemsolving
activities included herein. Hence, this learning kit serves as their way of
expanding their knowledge of the things in nature and apply these in daily lives.

Come and let us make learning fun.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

.
ANDRE ARIEL B. CADIVIDA finished Bachelor of Science
in Biology at Negros Oriental State University Main Campus in
2013. He is currently teaching at Cansal-ing Provincial
Community High School as a senior high teacher, library
designate and the focal person of the senior high department. He
is currently completing Master of Arts in Science Teaching at
Negros Oriental State University Graduate School.

10 NegOr_Q4_GenChem2-12_SLK Week4_v2