buffers (1 Viewer)

[xeriphic]

i'm pretty confused about this at the moment, the teacher didn't spend much time on it so i really didn't get it

i was wondering how buffer solutions balance out the addtion of either acid or base with respect to basic or acidic buffers, and also for the buffer system in the blood given by the equation

Co2(g) <--> Co2(aq) <--> H2Co3 <--> H+ + HCo3-

why is it when H+ added it shifts to the left

and why OH- added it shifts to the right

i'm not sure whether to relate this to le chatelier's principle or not, so anyone could help would be great thanks

 

[Xayma]

It is directly related to Le Chatelier's principle.

If H+ is added then the concentration of H+ is increased which pushes the last one to the left which increases the concentration of H₂CO₃ which then pushes it to the left etc.

If OH- is added then it reacts with the H+ decreasing its concentration and pushing it to the right.

 

[xeriphic]

lol thanks i get it now, didn't think of the way of OH- reacting with the H+