- #1
seratia
- 38
- 4
Let's keep things simple. I have pure water. pH = 7.
I want to add a buffer. I add the weak acid. It dissociates little. So the pH is still close to neutral. So far so good.
The problem is, we are also adding conjugate base (the conjugate base is strong). Why doesn't the added base consume the H+ in the water, thus increasing the pH?
In other words, I am confused, because in the process of making a buffer, we are screwing with the original pH. Am I missing something?
I want to add a buffer. I add the weak acid. It dissociates little. So the pH is still close to neutral. So far so good.
The problem is, we are also adding conjugate base (the conjugate base is strong). Why doesn't the added base consume the H+ in the water, thus increasing the pH?
In other words, I am confused, because in the process of making a buffer, we are screwing with the original pH. Am I missing something?