Question

Explain how to compare water's buffering capacity to that of the weak acid or base and explain why water's buffering capacity is so much lower than the weak acid or base

Answer 1

A buffer is any type of substance that will resist pH change when H+ or OH- is added.

This is typically achieved with equilibrium equations. Both type of buffer will resist both type of additions.

When a weak acid and its conjugate base are added, they will form a buffer

The equations:

The Weak acid equilibrium:

HA(aq) <-> H+(aq) + A-(aq)

Weak acid = HA(aq)

Conjugate base = A-(aq)

Neutralization of H+ ions:

A-(aq) + H+(aq) <-> HA(aq); in this case, HA is formed, H+ is neutralized as well as A-, the conjugate

Neutralization of OH- ions:

HA(aq) + OH-(aq) <-> H2O(l) + A-(aq) ; in this case; A- is formed, OH- is neutralized as well as HA.

Now,

For water:

H2O(l) + H+(aq) --> H3O+(aq)

is storngly favoured, that is, there will be a very low Keq value... which does not help in buffer formation...

For the base:

For the weak base equilibrium:

B(aq) + H2O(l) <-> BH+(aq) + OH-(aq)

Weak base = B;

Conjugate acid = BH+

Neutralization of OH- ions:

BH+(aq) + OH-(aq) <-> B(aq) + H2O(l); in this case, OH- is neutralized by BH+, as well as B is created

Neutralization of H+ ions:

B(aq) + H+(aq) <-> BH+(aq)

note now that for water

H2O(l) + OH- --> OH-(aq) + H2O(l)

there is literally no effect on H+, therefore, no buffer capacity