how many buffer solutions can be made using NaOH and H3PO4.Explain pls....
http://chemistry.about.com/od/acidsbases/a/phosphatebutter.htm
To determine the number of buffer solutions that can be made using NaOH and H3PO4, we need to consider the acid-base properties of these compounds.
A buffer solution is made by mixing a weak acid (like H3PO4) with its conjugate base (like H2PO4-) or a weak base (like NaOH) with its conjugate acid (like Na2HPO4). The goal is to have the weak acid-base pair present in roughly equal concentrations to resist changes in pH when an acid or base is added.
In this case, NaOH is a strong base and completely dissociates in water to produce Na+ and OH- ions. H3PO4 is a weak acid that only partially dissociates in water to produce H+ and H2PO4- ions.
Since NaOH is a strong base, it does not have a conjugate acid. Therefore, we will focus on the weak acid H3PO4 and its conjugate base H2PO4-. The H2PO4- ion can act as a buffer in the presence of H3PO4.
To make a buffer, we must have a significant amount of H3PO4 and its conjugate base present. To achieve this, we can mix different ratios of H3PO4 and NaOH, adjusting their concentrations to ensure a desired pH.
For example, one buffer solution can be made by mixing H3PO4 with excess NaOH to neutralize all the acid, resulting in a buffered system of H2PO4-. Another buffer solution can be made by mixing H3PO4 and NaOH in a 1:1 ratio to achieve an equimolar concentration of H3PO4 and H2PO4-.
The number of potential buffer solutions using NaOH and H3PO4 is infinite, as you can create different ratios by varying the concentrations of the two compounds.
In conclusion, the number of buffer solutions that can be made using NaOH and H3PO4 is limitless, depending on the desired pH and the specific concentrations of the compounds.