PH AND BUFFERS

Compiled By: Dr. Farooq Ahmad

WATER CHARACTERISTICS
 The covalent bonds within the water molecule, like the
hydrogen bonds between the molecules, can also break
spontaneously. This is known as water dissociation.

H2O  H+ + OH-
Water Hydrogen Ion Hydroxide Ion

 This doesn’t happen often, but enough. If you have a beaker of

pure water, 1/10,000,000 molecules are hydrogen ions.
CALCULATING PH: A COUPLE
KEY FORMULAS:
[H+] + [OH-] = 1 x 10-14
pH + pOH = 14

 Ifgiven the concentration, pH or pOH is simply the

exponent on the 10.
 Ex. [H+] = 1 x 10-2 the pH would be 2.

 Ifgiven the pH, the [H+] would be calculated by making

the pH value the negative exponent of the 10.
 Ex pH = 9, [H+] = 1 x 10-9.
 IMPORTANCE OF PH IMPORTANT IN
LIVING ORGANISMS
 Key molecules, known as enzymes, function at set pH
values.
 All our cells function within a certain pH range.
 If the fluids bathing those cells is “off” these cells won’t
function at max capacity.
 Other than just cells, our blood needs to be at a certain
pH.
 The chemical reactions of life constantly produce acids
and bases within cells. These have a tendency to throw off
the pH values. We need mechanism to minimize how much
the pH is altered.
 BUFFER SOLUTION
 A buffer solution is an aqueous mixture of a weak acid or a weak
base with its salt.

 An aqueous mixture of ammonia and ammonium chloride is a buffer

solution
 An aqueous mixture of acetic acid and sodium acetate is a buffer solution.

 In each case, small quantities of strong acid or strong base can be

added without altering the pH.

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 A buffer solution is able to maintain a stable pH when
quantities of acid or base are added

 If one drop (0.1mL) of 0.1mol/L HCl is added to 10mL pure water,

Chemistry 1011 Slot 5

the pH will change from 7 to 3.

 If one drop (0.1mL) of 0.1mol/L HCl is added to 10mL of a buffer

solution, the pH will not change appreciably.

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BUFFERS
 What would a buffer do if pH falls?
 Remove hydrogen ions from the solution.

 What would a buffer do if pH rises?

 Donate hydrogen ions to the solution.

 In living organisms a key buffer is known as the

Bicarbonate Ion Buffer System.