What is a #"buffer"#, and how is it used to maintain #pH#?

1 Answer
anor277
Oct 9, 2016

The #"buffer equation"# is:...

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

Explanation:

A mixture of a weak acid and its conjugate base in appreciable quantities has a #pH# close to the #pK_a# of the weak acid. It acts to resist gross changes in #pH#. Biological systems, including our own, tend to be extensively buffered, in order to provide stability to our biochemistry.

See this old answer.

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