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Buffers definitions

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  • Buffer
    A solution containing a weak acid and its conjugate base that resists significant pH changes when strong acids or bases are added.
  • Weak Acid
    A substance that partially dissociates in water, providing limited hydrogen ions and forming the basis of many buffer systems.
  • Conjugate Base
    The species formed when a weak acid loses a hydrogen ion, often paired with a metal ion in buffer solutions.
  • pH
    A logarithmic measure of hydrogen ion concentration, indicating the acidity or basicity of a solution.
  • Buffer Capacity
    The extent to which a buffer can neutralize added strong acids or bases before a significant pH change occurs.
  • Buffer Range
    The ratio window (0.1 to 10) of conjugate base to weak acid concentrations where a buffer effectively resists pH changes.
  • Henderson-Hasselbalch Equation
    A formula used to calculate the pH of a buffer solution using the pKa and the ratio of conjugate base to weak acid.
  • Monoprotic Acid
    An acid capable of donating only one proton per molecule, simplifying buffer calculations to a single pKa value.
  • Neutralization Reaction
    A process where an acid and a base react to form water and a salt, central to buffer action against strong acids or bases.
  • Ideal Buffer
    A buffer system where the concentrations of weak acid and conjugate base are equal, maximizing resistance to pH changes.
  • Molarity
    A concentration unit expressing the number of moles of solute per liter of solution, commonly used in buffer calculations.
  • Polyprotic Acid
    A substance capable of donating more than one proton per molecule, requiring multiple pKa values for buffer calculations.
  • pKa
    The negative logarithm of the acid dissociation constant, indicating the strength of a weak acid in buffer systems.
  • Strong Acid
    A substance that completely dissociates in water, often used to test or create buffer systems when mixed with a weak base.
  • Strong Base
    A compound that fully dissociates in water, reacting with weak acids to form buffer solutions under specific conditions.