Which of the following is characteristic of a buffer? A) The pH will go down significantly when H₃O⁺ is added to the buffer. B) The pH will go down very slightly when H₃O⁺ is added to a buffer. C) The pH will go up significantly when H₃O⁺ is added to the buffer. D) The pH will go up very slightly when H₃O⁺ is added to the buffer.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

A buffer is a solution that resists changes in pH when small amounts of acid or base are added. Therefore, the pH change should be minimal. Option B states that the pH will go down very slightly, which is characteristic of a buffer. Option A and C state that the pH will go down or up significantly, which is not characteristic of a buffer. Option D states that the pH will go up very slightly, but it is not the best choice because a buffer can resist small amounts of both acid and base, and not just base.

Which of the Following Is Characteristic of a Buffer