A buffer is made by dissolving H3PO4 and NaH2PO4 in water. a. write an equation that shows how this buffer neutralizes a small amount of acids. b. write an equation that shows how this buffer neutr?
No
a. To show how the buffer neutralizes a small amount of acids, we can write the equation between the acidic component of the buffer (H3PO4) and the acid being neutralized.
H3PO4 + HX → H2PO4- + H2O
In this equation, HX represents the acid being neutralized, and H2PO4- is the conjugate base that forms as a result of the neutralization.
b. To continue with the equation showing how the buffer neutralizes a small amount of bases, we can write the equation between the basic component of the buffer (NaH2PO4) and the base being neutralized.
NaH2PO4 + MOH → Na2HPO4 + H2O
In this equation, MOH represents the base being neutralized, and Na2HPO4 is the conjugate base that forms as a result of the neutralization.
To understand how the buffer made by dissolving H3PO4 and NaH2PO4 neutralizes acids, we need to consider the acid-base properties of these compounds.
H3PO4 is phosphoric acid, which can donate three protons (H+) to act as an acid. NaH2PO4 is sodium dihydrogen phosphate, which can accept one proton (H+) to act as a base.
a. Equation showing how the buffer neutralizes a small amount of acids:
Let's consider the dissociation of H3PO4:
H3PO4 ⇌ H+ + H2PO4-
In the presence of the buffer, the H2PO4- ion can accept the additional H+ ions from the acid to neutralize them. The equation can be written as:
H3PO4 + H2PO4- ⇌ 2H2PO4-
b. Equation showing how the buffer neutralizes a small amount of bases (alkalis):
In this case, the H2PO4- ions in the buffer can donate H+ ions to react with the OH- ions from the bases to neutralize them. The equation can be written as:
H2PO4- + OH- ⇌ HPO4^2- + H2O
This equation represents the neutralization of a base by the buffer.
It's important to note that the buffer maintains a relatively stable pH by shifting the equilibrium between these conjugate acid-base species depending on the presence of additional acids or bases.
H3PO4 ==> H^+ + H2PO4^2-
H2PO4^2- + H^+(small amount acid) = H3PO4.
Adding NaOH, it neutralizes by
H3PO4 + NaOH ==> NaH2PO4 + H2O OR
H3PO4 + OH^- ==> H2O + H2PO4^-