IB Chemistry Topic R3.1.16 Buffer Solutions Revision Notes (HL)

IB Chemistry Topic R3.1.16 Buffer Solutions Revision Notes (HL) | RevisionDojo

Written by official IB examiners

Buffers: Definition, Components, and pH Calculation

Definition

Buffers

Buffers are solutions that resist changes in pH when small amounts of acid ($H⁺$ ions) or base ($OH⁻$ ions) are added.

Example

They play a critical role in maintaining pH stability in chemical reactions, biological systems (like blood), and industrial processes.

To understand how buffers work, consider this:

If you add a strong acid to pure water, the pH drops significantly because there’s nothing in the water to counteract the influx of $H⁺$ ions.
A buffer, however, "absorbs" most of these $H⁺$ ions, minimizing the pH change.

Analogy

Think of a buffer as a sponge.
Just as a sponge absorbs water to prevent spills, a buffer absorbs excess $H⁺$ or $OH⁻$ ions, preventing drastic pH changes.

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Definition

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(on a website) an arrangement whereby access is restricted to users who have paid to subscribe to the site.

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Note

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Tip

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat.

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit.
Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua.
Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris.
Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum.

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Buffers: Definition, Components, and pH Calculation

Definition

Buffers

Buffers are solutions that resist changes in pH when small amounts of acid ($H⁺$ ions) or base ($OH⁻$ ions) are added.

Example

They play a critical role in maintaining pH stability in chemical reactions, biological systems (like blood), and industrial processes.

To understand how buffers work, consider this:

If you add a strong acid to pure water, the pH drops significantly because there’s nothing in the water to counteract the influx of $H⁺$ ions.
A buffer, however, "absorbs" most of these $H⁺$ ions, minimizing the pH change.

Analogy

Think of a buffer as a sponge.
Just as a sponge absorbs water to prevent spills, a buffer absorbs excess $H⁺$ or $OH⁻$ ions, preventing drastic pH changes.

Definition

Paywall

(on a website) an arrangement whereby access is restricted to users who have paid to subscribe to the site.

anim nostrud sit dolore minim proident quis fugiat velit et eiusmod nulla quis nulla mollit dolor sunt culpa aliqua

Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit

Note

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam quis nostrud exercitation.

Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident

Tip

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit.
Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua.
Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris.
Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum.

Structure 1. Models of the particulate nature of matter5 subtopics

Structure 2. Models of bonding and structure4 subtopics

Structure 3. Classification of matter2 subtopics

Reactivity 1. What drives chemical reactions?4 subtopics

Reactivity 2. How much, how fast and how far?3 subtopics

Reactivity 3. What are the mechanisms of chemical change?4 subtopics

IB Chemistry R3.1.16 Buffer Solutions Notes

Buffers: Definition, Components, and pH Calculation

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Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit

Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident

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Buffers: Definition, Components, and pH Calculation

anim nostrud sit dolore minim proident quis fugiat velit et eiusmod nulla quis nulla mollit dolor sunt culpa aliqua

Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit

Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident

Unlock the rest of this chapter with a free account

Structure 1. Models of the particulate nature of matter5 subtopics

Structure 2. Models of bonding and structure4 subtopics

Structure 3. Classification of matter2 subtopics

Reactivity 1. What drives chemical reactions?4 subtopics

Reactivity 2. How much, how fast and how far?3 subtopics

Reactivity 3. What are the mechanisms of chemical change?4 subtopics