A solution that maintains a relatively constant pH upon small additions of acid or base is termed a/an _______________ solution?
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Answer: C. Buffer
Explanation
Buffer solutions contain weak acids and conjugate bases to neutralize added ions. Hydrogen and hydroxide ions are absorbed without causing drastic pH shifts. This chemical resistance maintains relative pH stability during minor additions. Buffers operate through chemical equilibria involving weak acid dissociation constants. Adding strong acids shifts equilibrium to consume excess hydrogen ions. Adding strong bases consumes hydroxide ions while reforming weak acid molecules.
Biological systems rely on blood buffer systems to maintain strict physiological pH. Chemical laboratories use buffers to calibrate pH meters and stabilize reactions. Industrial fermentation processes require strict pH control using specific buffer solutions. Option A refers to hypothetical solutions obeying Raoult's law perfectly. Option B describes real solutions showing deviations from thermodynamic ideality. Option C is the correct chemical term for pH-stabilizing mixtures.
- Subject
- Engineering
- Category
- Chemical Engineering
- Topic
- —
- Difficulty
- medium
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