What exactly is the function of a buffer?

[LyahFitzpatrick 2E]

What is the purpose of having a reaction with elements that neutralize both acids and bases? And how come you want equal amounts of both? Is the purpose to neutralize, and if so, how come a solution like water isn't used?

[Kayley Steele 3D]

The function of a buffer is to resist changes in the pH around a given value. With a buffer, adding in quantities of acid or base to the solution, does not dramatically alter solution pH like it would without the buffer present.

[Sasha Gladkikh 2A]

A buffer is a solution that can resist pH change upon the addition of an acid or base.

To effectively maintain a pH range, a buffer must consist of a weak conjugate acid-base pair, meaning either (1) a weak acid and its conjugate base, or (2) a weak base and its conjugate acid.

A buffer is able to resist pH change because the two components (conjugate acid and conjugate base) are both present in appreciable amounts at equilibrium and are able to neutralize small amounts of other acids and bases, thus maintaining the pH of the solution relatively stable.

[Quynhanh Nguyen 1C]

Hi! To add to the other responses, water would not be used because water cannot resist changes in pH. It can dilute a solution, but water is where exchanges forming [H3O+] and [OH-] come from (mixed with an acid or a base) and therefore susceptible to changes in pH. Hope this helps!

[sadiebrebes]

What is the purpose of having a reaction with elements that neutralize both acids and bases? And how come you want equal amounts of both? Is the purpose to neutralize, and if so, how come a solution like water isn't used?

The purpose is that it can inhibit changes in ph from acids and bases. Buffers can be very important in biological systems, because changes in ph can be lethal. Our blood, for example, contains buffers to resist changes in ph. You want equal amounts of both so that the buffer can control the ph from getting too high or too low.

[Charlotte McDonough 2B]

Hi! Like many students previously mentioned, a buffer is typically a solution of a weak acid and its conjugate base that resists drastic change in pH. You can choose a buffer to maintain a specific pH based on the pKa of the weak acid, which will be very close to the solution's pH. However, this pH can vary slightly with the concentration.

[Divya Mehta 2K]

a buffer is typically a solution that is able to help an existing solution resist a drastic change in PH due to the addition of an acid or base.

[Cindy Vo 3E]

A buffer solution resists the changes to pH. So, adding an acid or base will not change the pH of the overall solution by much.

[Nancy_La_1H]

The purpose of a buffer is to prevent any drastic changes to the pH. So by having it present in a solution, the addition of acids and bases would not affect the pH as much as if there was no buffer.

[Sammy Liu]

A buffer is used to prevent sudden changes in pH. For example, when you add either a strong acid or a strong base, instead of changing the pH of the solution dramatically, the buffer solution will interact with the strong acid or strong base, preventing dramatic increases or decreases in pH.

Hope this helps!

[William Huang 1K]

When a buffer exists, any addition of acid or base to the solution does not impact the pH heavily. For example, your body can maintain homeostasis better with the bicarbonate buffer keeping blood at a relatively stable pH.

[Kayla Ziebell 1H]

In lecture, Dr. Lavelle stated that a good buffer has an equal of amount of acid and its conjugate base or an equal amount of base and its conjugate acid.