1. What is Buffer Capacity?

Buffer capacity (β) is a quantitative measure of a solution's resistance to pH change when an acid or base is added. It's defined as the amount of strong acid or base required to change the pH of 1 liter of solution by 1 pH unit.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the buffer capacity equation:

Where:

• \( \beta \) — Buffer capacity (mol/L pH)
• \( dB \) — Change in base concentration (mol/L)
• \( dpH \) — Change in pH (dimensionless)

Explanation: The equation shows that buffer capacity is the ratio of the amount of base added to the resulting pH change.

3. Importance of Buffer Capacity

Details: Buffer capacity is crucial in biological systems, chemical processes, and industrial applications where maintaining stable pH is essential. It helps determine how effectively a solution can resist pH changes.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the change in base concentration in mol/L and the corresponding pH change. Both values must be positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is a good buffer capacity value?
A: Higher values indicate better buffering. Biological buffers typically have β values between 0.01-0.1 mol/L pH.

Q2: How does temperature affect buffer capacity?
A: Temperature can affect the pKa of buffer components, thereby influencing the buffer capacity, especially near the pKa.

Q3: What's the maximum buffer capacity?
A: Maximum buffer capacity occurs when pH = pKa of the buffer system, where β = 0.576C (C = total buffer concentration).

Q4: Can this calculator be used for any buffer system?
A: Yes, the fundamental equation applies to all buffer systems, though specific systems may have additional considerations.

Q5: How is buffer capacity different from buffer range?
A: Buffer capacity measures resistance to pH change, while buffer range refers to the pH range where the buffer is effective (typically pKa ± 1).