how do you know which one will OH- react with?Why doesn't the OH- react with the H+ A buffer solution is a solution that is able to resist changes in pH when an acid or base is added. It is made up of a weak acid and its conjugate base or a weak base and its conjugate acid.
A buffer works by neutralizing any added acid or base through a process known as the Henderson-Hasselbalch equation. The weak acid or base in the buffer reacts with the added acid or base to maintain a relatively constant pH.
Buffers are important in experiments because they help maintain a constant pH, which is crucial for many biochemical reactions and can greatly affect the outcome of an experiment. Without a buffer, slight changes in pH can lead to inaccurate results.
To prepare a buffer solution, you need to mix a weak acid or base with its conjugate base or acid in a specific ratio. The ratio will depend on the desired pH of the buffer solution and the pKa of the weak acid or base.
A buffer solution is different from a standard solution in that it can maintain a relatively constant pH, while a standard solution does not have this ability. A standard solution is typically used for analytical purposes, while a buffer is used to control pH in experiments.