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Understanding Buffer Solutions and the Henderson-Hasselbalch Equation
Formula
A buffer solution resists changes in pH when small amounts of acid or base are added. It consists of a weak acid and its conjugate base (or a weak base and its conjugate acid) in roughly equal concentrations.
The Henderson-Hasselbalch equation pH = pKa + log([A⁻]/[HA]) predicts the pH of a buffer. Buffers work best when the pH is within one unit of the pKa, where buffer capacity is highest.
Common use cases:
- Biological pH maintenance
- Laboratory solution preparation
- Pharmaceutical formulation
Frequently Asked Questions
Dr. David Park
Applied Mathematician, PhD Mathematics
David holds a PhD in Applied Mathematics from MIT. He has published research on numerical methods and computational algorithms used in engineering and scientific calculators.
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