Question

How are buffers made?

Answer 1

Take a weak acid, and add approx. 1/2 equiv of strong base........

Explanation:

Alternatively, take a weak base, and add approx. 1/2 equiv of strong acid......

Anyway, take a look at this old answer which derives the buffer equation.........

`underbrace(-log_10[H_3O^+])_"pH"=underbrace(-log_10K_a)_(pK_a)+log_10{([A^-])/([HA])}`

i.e. `"pH"=pK_a+log_10{([A^-])/([HA])}`

And thus we need an acid whose `pK_a` is TOLERABLY close to the value of the `pH` whose value you are trying to regulate. Is this clear?