Understanding buffers

Worksheet answers
Use the learning object, How do buffers work?, and information provided to help answer the
following questions.
1. Explain the difference between strong and weak acids. (use screens 1 and 2)
Strong acids ionise completely in water. Weak acids only partially ionise.
2. Using Le Chateliers principle, predict what will happen if:
a solution containing hydrogen ions is added to a solution of hydrochloric acid (use screens 3 and 4)
The pH will increase dramatically. This is because hydrochloric acid is a strong acid that ionises
completely in water. This is essentially an irreversible reaction. Any added hydrogen ions will
remain as H+ ions.
a solution containing hydrogen ions is added to a solution of hydrofluoric acid? (use screens 3 and 4)
pH will increase, but not as much as for a strong acid. This is because hydrofluoric acid is a
weak acid that only partially ionises in water. The reverse reaction will be favoured, so some of
the added hydrogen ions will react with fluoride ions in solution. This leaves only some extra
hydrogen ions in solution.
3. Explain how it is possible for a weak acid system to be in equilibrium while reactions still occur.
The forward and reverse reactions occur at the same rate.
4. Write an equation showing the addition of acetic acid to water. Include water molecules in the
equation, and identify any conjugate acid/base pairs.

CH 3COOH + H 2O W CH 3COO < + H 3O +

H2O / H3O+ are a conjugate base and acid pair.
CH3COO- / CH3COOH are a conjugate base and acid pair.
5. Which has a better buffering capacity: hydrochloric acid or hydrofluoric acid? Explain your
answer. (Remember, a buffer is a substance that stabilises pH)
Hydrofluoric acid is a better buffer because it only partially ionises. This reaction is reversible,
so some added hydrogen ions are converted into hydrofluoric acid, according to Le Chateliers
principle. This means pH will only increase a little. Hydrochloric acid is a strong acid that
completely ionises. This reaction is essentially irreversible, which means added hydrogen ions
remain in solution, increasing pH dramatically.
6. Study steps one to five on screen 5. Compare the concentration of hydrogen ions to the initial
concentration:
a. as soon as the HCl has been added? (step 3)
much higher
b. after equilibrium has been re-established? (step 5)
a bit higher
7. How does pH change during the reaction?
It drops a lot then goes back up, but not quite as high as at the start.

ast0648 | Buffers 3: Understanding buffers (worksheet answers)

The University of Western Australia 2011
version 1.0 reviewed January 2012
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developed for the Department of Education WA

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8. Explain how HF could act as a buffer if a small amount of NaOH was added. Drawing diagrams
may aid your explanation.

When NaOH is added, the OH- ions will initially cause the pH of the solution to increase. The OH ions will react with some of the H + ions from the partially ionised HF to form H2O. When this
happens, the equilibrium HF <==> H + + F - will shift in the forward direction as H + ions have
been removed. This will replace some of the H + ions so the pH will almost return to the initial
pH of the system.
9. Study steps one to five on screen 7. How do the concentrations of each species in the buffer
compare to initial concentrations:
a. as soon as hydrogen ions are added? (step 3)
[HF] same, [H +] much higher, [F -] same, [Cl -] higher, [Na +] same
b. after equilibrium has been re-established? (step 5)
[HF] higher, [H +] same, [F -] lower, [Cl -] higher, [Na +] same
10. How does pH change during the reaction? Is this different from what happens with pure
hydrofluoric acid? (compare screens 7 and 5)
It drops a lot then returns to virtually the same as it was at the start. This is different to pure
hydrofluoric acid, where the pH remained lower.
11. The following graph shows what happens to pH when a strong acid or a strong base is added to a
weak acid. Explain the shape of this curve using your knowledge of buffering.

8
7
6
5

pH

4
3
2
1
0

Acid added

Base added

The pH of the weak acid is 5. Between pH 4 and pH 6 the gradient of the graph is quite flat, so
this is the region where the acid buffers. When small volumes of acid or base are added, the
weak acid buffers and pH remains fairly constant. When larger volumes of acid or base are
added the buffering capacity is exceeded and pH is not controlled, so the gradient changes
rapidly.

ast0648 | Buffers 3: Understanding buffers (worksheet answers)

The University of Western Australia 2011
version 1.0 reviewed January 2012
page 2

developed for the Department of Education WA

for conditions of us see spice.wa.edu.au/usage
Licensed for NEALS

12. Explain what the term buffering capacity means at the molecular level.
A buffer reaches buffering capacity when there are no more ions available to react with any
acid or base added. For example, it is reached when there are no fluoride ions left in a solution
of hydrofluoric acid to react with added hydrogen ions. After this point is reached any added
acid or base will change pH dramatically.

Part 2: Applying buffering principles to buffering in the human body

Our bodies require energy to carry out their daily functions. This energy is created in cells by the
reaction of glucose and oxygen. Carbon dioxide and water are also produced, and they react further
to produce hydrogen ions.
When we exercise, breathing rate increases to supply more oxygen to our cells. However, after a
certain point it becomes difficult to provide enough oxygen in this way, and other chemical reactions
that produce excess lactic acid occur. This increases the concentration of hydrogen ions in the blood,
which causes pH to decrease. Normal blood pH is 7.4. Changes in this level can cause illness or death,
so the body must have mechanisms in place to maintain constant pH. Blood plays a crucial role in this
process.
Several buffering systems are present in the circulatory system. The most important of these is the
carbonic acid/hydrogencarbonate buffer system:

H (+aq ) + HCO <3( aq ) W H 2CO 3( aq ) W H 2O(l ) + CO 2 ( g )

13. This is a two-part equilibrium reaction. Which reaction is an acid/base reaction? Explain your
answer.
The first part is an acid/base reaction. This is easier to see when water is included in the
equation: H3O+ donates a proton that HCO3- accepts.

14. Draw diagrams to show how the buffering system in blood works, based on the animation in the
learning object. Note that carbonic acid ionises rapidly to form water and carbon dioxide.

15. Use Le Chateliers principle and the buffering equation above to explain why:
a. A person breathes harder and exhales more carbon dioxide when they exercise vigorously.
As a person exercises more, more hydrogen ions are produced. This favours the forward
reaction, which causes a shift in equilibrium to the right. More carbon dioxide is produced
which results in the person breathing harder.
b. The kidneys remove hydrogencarbonate ions when blood pH is too high for buffering alone to
stabilise (this condition is called alkalosis).
If pH is too high there are not enough hydrogen ions. Removing hydrogencarbonate means the
reverse reaction is favoured and more hydrogen ions are produced.
ast0648 | Buffers 3: Understanding buffers (worksheet answers)
The University of Western Australia 2011
version 1.0 reviewed January 2012
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developed for the Department of Education WA

for conditions of us see spice.wa.edu.au/usage
Licensed for NEALS

c. When a person hyperventilates the concentration of carbon dioxide in their blood decreases.
Would this result in increased or decreased blood pH?
The body will try to create more carbon dioxide, so the forward reaction will be favoured. This
causes a decrease in hydrogen ion concentration and an increase in pH.
16. It is important that the concentration of buffer in blood is high. Explain why.
A high concentration of buffer in the blood is required to enable people to undertake vigorous
exercise without reaching their buffering capacity. If a person reaches or exceeds their
buffering capacity, the pH of the body will move outside the safe range resulting in illness or
possible death.

The following diagram shows the buffer curve for the carbonic acid/hydrogencarbonate
equilibrium reaction stated previously.

17. Over what pH range is hydrogencarbonate a good buffer?

between about 5.1 and 7.1
18. The pH of blood is normally 7.4, which is outside the buffering region of HCO3- shown in the
diagram above. Explain why it is still able to work as a buffer in the human body. (Think about
differences between applying Le Chateliers principle to a laboratory experiment and the human
body.)
The human body is not a closed system, so carbon dioxide is constantly being removed via the
lungs. This helps to increase pH.

ast0648 | Buffers 3: Understanding buffers (worksheet answers)

The University of Western Australia 2011
version 1.0 reviewed January 2012
page 4

developed for the Department of Education WA

for conditions of us see spice.wa.edu.au/usage
Licensed for NEALS