Is it possible to make a buffer with a strong acid and a strong base?
So I know a buffer consists of a weak acid and its conjugate base or a weak base and its conjugate acid.
And I believe it is possible to make a buffer with a strong acid and weak base or a weak base and a strong acid?
Is it possible to make a buffer with a strong acid and a strong base?
No
Bob Pursley is correct. I want to add some additional information here. A strong acid such as HCl or a strong base such as NaOH act as buffers by themselves. Not very good buffers but that solution IS buffered with just HCl. Look at the titration curve of a strong acid at this site. You see the pH at the beginning is very low and it changes very little over the next approx 24 mL (from pH about zero to pH about 1)
https://www.google.com/search?q=titration+curve+strong+acid+vs+strong+base&tbm=isch&imgil=FXrjZpK8cAsVqM%253A%253B4Pwg8afcyrusaM%253Bhttp%25253A%25252F%25252Fwww.chemguide.co.uk%25252Fphysical%25252Facidbaseeqia%25252Fphcurves.html&source=iu&pf=m&fir=FXrjZpK8cAsVqM%253A%252C4Pwg8afcyrusaM%252C_&usg=__8vO6IIuaL1Yokwr-U-mEvZgTh1w%3D&biw=1005&bih=624&ved=0ahUKEwi3rKG-2MvLAhWBNiYKHRCuCpcQyjcILg&ei=0LfsVreEG4HtmAGQ3Kq4CQ#imgrc=FXrjZpK8cAsVqM%3A
No, it is not possible to create a buffer using a strong acid and a strong base. In order to understand why, let's go over the key characteristics of a buffer.
A buffer is a solution that helps maintain a relatively constant pH when small amounts of acid or base are added to it. It works by having a weak acid (or a weak base) and its conjugate base (or conjugate acid) present in the solution, allowing it to resist changes in pH.
When a strong acid is added to a solution, it completely dissociates into ions. These ions will react with the weak base in the buffer, effectively eliminating the buffer's ability to maintain a constant pH.
Similarly, when a strong base is added to a solution, it also completely dissociates into ions. These ions will react with the weak acid present in the buffer, disrupting the equilibrium between the weak acid and its conjugate base and causing a significant change in pH.
So, in order to create a buffer, it is necessary to use a weak acid (or a weak base) along with its conjugate base (or conjugate acid). This combination allows the buffer to absorb and neutralize small amounts of added acid or base, keeping the pH relatively stable.