Buffer Capacity

AP Chemistry· difficulty 3/5

mL strong base added pH solid: high capacity dashed: low capacity

Why does the dashed buffer (lower capacity) change pH faster?

  • A

    K is smaller for the dashed one

  • B

    It contains less HA and A- to absorb added base

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  • C

    It has a different pKa

  • D

    It is at higher temperature

Explanation

Buffer capacity scales with the absolute amount of weak acid and conjugate base. Lower amounts mean smaller capacity to absorb added strong acid/base, so pH shifts more.

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