Methods for Making Buffer Solutions: A Comprehensive Guide

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Buffer solutions can be created using specific combinations of weak acids and their salts or weak bases and their salts. For acidic buffers, a weak acid can be combined with a strong base to form a salt, while for alkaline buffers, a weak base can be combined with a strong acid to create a salt. Understanding the equilibrium and equilibrium constants for these reactions is crucial, and one may need to solve quadratic equations when calculating pH levels. The Henderson-Hasselbalch equation is also a key tool in determining the pH of buffer solutions. For further details, consulting a handbook of buffers or a quantitative chemistry textbook is recommended.
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What methods are there to make buffer solutions?

Could anyone outline them? thanks.
 
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doubledouble said:
What methods are there to make buffer solutions?

Could anyone outline them? thanks.

If not a homework question: (a) Look in a handbook of buffers; or, (b) choose weak acid + strong base to form some salt of the weak acid for acidic buffer; or choose weak base + strong acid to form some salt of the weak base for alkaline buffer. Use your standard equilibrium constant calculations.

If a homework question: Study equilibrium and equilibrium constant for weak acids and weak bases in you quantitative chemistry textbook.

Note, when choosing to use weak acid or base plus its salt, you will typically generate a quadratic equation. Search the forums and you will find these kinds of discussions.
 
What pH are you interested in?
 
Damn, I do chemistry at university and I can barely remember any of this stuff ^_^, is it that if your using a Strong base Weak acid you make a RCOO- Na+ salt (for example, i know there's other combinations) that will absorb any hydronium ions by making RCOOH and absorb any OH ions by producing NaOH.

I'm just asking because my memory is funny on even this basic stuff (Studying MO theory and Thermodynamics thrown me off the important stuff ^_^)
 
Google Henderson-Hasselbalch equation.
 
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