1. Module 8

1.36. Page 4

Lesson 7

Module 8—Acid-Base Equilibrium

Lesson Summary

 

In Lesson 7 you considered the following questions:

  • What is a buffer and how does a buffer exhibit the characteristics of an equilibrium system?
  • What is buffering capacity?

You learned that buffers are chemical systems composed of a weak acid and its conjugate base. If these components are mixed in distinct proportions, a buffer with a specified pH can be produced.

 

Buffers act to maintain the pH of a system despite the addition of acid or base but, because they are composed of chemical substances with definite chemical amounts, there is a limit to the ability of a buffer to relieve a stress if excessive chemical amounts are added.

 

Proceed to the Module 8 Assessment, which also serves as your Unit D Assessment.