What happens in a buffer when the level of H+ ions in solution increases?

1 Answer
anor277
Sep 13, 2016

The protium ion reacts with the base, and #pH# is marginally diminished.

Explanation:

From here we learn that in a buffer, a mixutre of a weak acid, and its conjugate base in appreciable quantities that,

#pH=pK_a+log_10{[[A^-]]/[[HA]]}# .

Should #H^+# be added to the buffer, #A^-# would be protonated and #[HA]# would increase, and given the equation #pH# would decrease marginally. On the other hand, in an unbuffered solution, #pH# would decrease prodigiously should a strong acid be added to the solution.

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