Final Lab Report 2

Kacey Groves
Dr. Covington
Chem 1121
11/6/2018
A Study of Acids, Bases, and Buffers
Introduction
According to encyclopedia Britannica a buffer is a “solution usually containing an acid
and a base, or a salt, that tends to maintain a constant hydrogen ion concentration.” These
essential solutions are found all over the natural world and are critical to everyday life. The book
Absorption and Drug Development covers the importance of the naturally occurring buffers on
our skin and mucosal layers of our internal organs which allow us to survive as living organisms.
In this lab a acetic acid-acetate buffer was created to test the effectiveness of a buffer an to use
the Henderson Hasselbach equation to calculate the pH of a buffer.
Procedure
For this experiment the first buffer tested was a acetic acid-acetate buffer made of
varying amounts of acetic acid and sodium acetate mixed into test tubes. The pHs of the buffers
were tested and recorded, then H2O, NaOH and HCl were added to the different concentrations
of buffers. The pH was re-tested and recorded. After the empirical data from the probe was
recorded students were asked to find the theoretical pH of the solutions. This was done by
finding the concentration of acetic acid and sodium acetate in the solutions then the number of
moles of acid and base added into the solutions. The results were plugged into the Henderson
Hasselbalch equation (Fig. 1) with the given pKa 1.8*10^-5

Fig. 1 Henderson Hasselbach Equation
Results
The results for both the theoretical and received pH are listed in the tables below.
Buffer Volume of Volume of [Acid] [Base] Measured Theoretical

Solution acid mL base mL pH pH
A 25.0 25.0 6.25*10^-3 6.25*10^-3 4.59 4.47
B 5.00 45.0 1.25*10^-3 1.13*10^-3 5.57 4.69
C 45.0 5.00 1.13*10^-3 1.25*10^-3 3.68 3.79

Table 1. Buffer Solution Information
These were the pH readings and calculations received with the original three Buffer
solutions, the theoretical pHs of these buffers were calculated using the given pKa (1.8x10^-5)
and the concentration of hydrogen ions in the solutions of the acid and base.
Beaker Solution Measure 1 Measure 2 Theoretical Δ pH
1 Buffer A + HCl 4.63 4.40 5.03 .23
2 H2O + HCl 5.31 2.12 1.70 3.19
3 Buffer A + NaOH 4.68 4.90 4.45 -.22
4 H2O + NaOH 4.74 10.90 12.3 -6.11

Table 2. Buffer solution and acid/base information
The results in the table above are from combining buffer solution A with both the strong
acid HCl and the strong base NaOH. Note the slight change in pH in contract to the large change
in pH seen in the control test tubes 1 and 2. These solutions were consisted of the strong base or
acid and H2O which is expected to maintain a neutral pH and be strongly affected with the
introduction of a strong acid or base.
Discussion
The purpose of the experiment was to test the effect buffers had on the ph of a solution.
This was done by making different buffer solutions and measuring their pH. After the best buffer
was determined 2 test tubes of the solution were made. One tube had Hydrochloric acid added to
is while the other had sodium hydroxide added. The pHs were measured and compared against
controls made with distilled H2O and the strong base and acid. Both the theoretical pH and the
received pH were calculated. The read pHs for trials 1-4 after a strong acid or base was added
were: 4.40, 2.12, 4.90 and, 10.90 while the theoretical pHs of the solutions were: 5.03, 1.07,
4.45, and, 12.3. The percent error for the measured and theoretical pHs of the buffer solutions
was -5.14% while the percent error for the buffer solutions and the strong acid and base was -
.45%. It should be noted that the pH change in the buffer solution seen in trials (2 and 4) was
miniscule while the pH change in the water solution (seen in trials 1 and 3) was significantly
greater. Thus it can be concluded that the buffer was acting effectively in this situation. Kortni
Anderson also completed the experiment and found that the buffer was effective at maintaining
pH. It should be noted that when distilled water is allowed to sit stagnant for long periods of time
it becomes slightly acidic due to carbons in the air. This may have skewed pH readings and
should be avoided in future experiments. In addition any strong acids or bases can be tested with
the buffer to see if the buffer is still effective in controlling the pH.
References
Avdeef, A. (2012). Absorption and drug development : solubility, permeability, and charge state.
Retrieved from https://ebookcentral-proquest-com.ezproxy.lib.apsu.edu

Britannica, T. E. (2013, June 05). Buffer. Retrieved from
https://www.britannica.com/science/buffer-chemistry
Gunawardena, G. (n.d.). Henderson-Hasselbach Equation. Retrieved from
http://www.ochempal.org/index.php/alphabetical/g-h/henderson-hasselbach-equation/

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Kacey Groves

A Study of Acids, Bases, and Buffers

According to encyclopedia Britannica a buffer is a “solution usually containing an acid

the Henderson Hasselbach equation to calculate the pH of a buffer.

Hasselbalch equation (Fig. 1) with the given pKa 1.8*10^-5

Buffer Volume of Volume of [Acid] [Base] Measured Theoretical

A 25.0 25.0 6.2510^-3 6.2510^-3 4.59 4.47

B 5.00 45.0 1.2510^-3 1.1310^-3 5.57 4.69

C 45.0 5.00 1.1310^-3 1.2510^-3 3.68 3.79

Beaker Solution Measure 1 Measure 2 Theoretical Δ pH

1 Buffer A + HCl 4.63 4.40 5.03 .23

2 H2O + HCl 5.31 2.12 1.70 3.19

3 Buffer A + NaOH 4.68 4.90 4.45 -.22

4 H2O + NaOH 4.74 10.90 12.3 -6.11

introduction of a strong acid or base.

Retrieved from https://ebookcentral-proquest-com.ezproxy.lib.apsu.edu

Gunawardena, G. (n.d.). Henderson-Hasselbach Equation. Retrieved from

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