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2000
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December
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Research: Science and Education
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Understanding, Deriving, and Computing Buffer Capacity
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Edward T. Urbansky and Michael R. Schock
National Risk Management Research Laboratory, Water Supply and Water Resources Division, U.S. Envionmental Protection Agency, Cincinnati, OH 45268-0001
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December 2000
Vol. 77 No. 12
p. 1640
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| Abstract |
The concept of buffer capacity appears in varied disciplines, including bio-, geo-, analytical, and environmental chemistry, physiology, medicine, dentistry, and agriculture. Unfortunately, however, derivation and systematic calculation of buffer capacity is a topic that seems to be neglected in the undergraduate analytical chemistry curriculum. In this work, we give an account of the development of the buffer capacity concept and derive the buffer capacity contribution equations for buffer systems containing mono-, di-, and triprotic weak acids (and their conjugate bases) and aluminum(III), which undergoes hydrolysis. A brief review of pH is provided because pH is involved in applying buffer capacity to the real world. In addition, we discuss evaluation of the equations, numerical approximation of buffer capacity when an analytic solution is not derived, and the mathematical properties of the buffer capacity expressions.
See Letter re: this article.
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| More Information |
 Citation |
Urbansky, Edward T.; Schock, Michael R. J. Chem. Educ. 2000 77 1640.
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Keywords |
Acid–Base Chemistry; Analytical Chemistry; Environmental Chemistry; Equilibrium; Water / Water Chemistry
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History |
Created:
Last Updated: |
November 3, 2000
April 15, 2005
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Link to Letter added (April 2004).
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| Home > JCE Print > Journal of Chemical Education > Issues >
2000
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December
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1640
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