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Chemistry Forums for Students => Undergraduate General Chemistry Forum => Topic started by: nozo on August 12, 2006, 02:07:21 PM

Title: Why is this a buffer system?
Post by: nozo on August 12, 2006, 02:07:21 PM

Can someone kindly explain to me why the following is a buffer system?

5 ml of 1.00M HCl and 10 ml of 1.00M Sodium Acetate

I know it says that a buffer is a combo of a weak acid and its conj. base (vice-versa), but isn't HCl a strong acid ??? I'm so confused...

Title: Re: Why is this a buffer system?
Post by: Borek on August 12, 2006, 02:24:13 PM

What will HCl do to acetate? Remember that acetic ion is a base.

Title: Re: Why is this a buffer system?
Post by: nozo on August 12, 2006, 02:37:59 PM

Quote from: Borek on August 12, 2006, 02:24:13 PM

What will HCl do to acetate? Remember that acetic ion is a base.

Ohhh... HCl reacts with the sodium acetate to produce acetic acid which is a weak acid... duhh.... lol, Thanks again Borek!