Question:

Which of the following pairs constitutes a buffer?

Updated On: Oct 13, 2024
  • $ HNO_2$ & $ NaNO_2 $
  • $ NaOH$ & $ NaCl $
  • $ HNO_3$ & $ NH_4NO_3 $
  • $ HCl$ & $KCl $
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The Correct Option is A

Approach Solution - 1

The correct answer is A:\(HNO_2\space and\space NaNO_2\)
HNO2 and NaNO2 constitutes a buffer solution. Buffer solutions are a mixture of weak acids and their salts or weak bases and their salts. Among all the compounds mentioned above HCl and HNO3 are strong acids and NaOH is a a strong base. Therefore, these can not form buffer solutions. On the other hand, HNO2 is a weak acid and NaNO2 is the salt formed by HNO2 and NaOH. Hence, these constitute a buffer solution. Buffer solutions can resist a change in their pH because of the equilibrium between the acid and its conjugate base or base and its conjugate acid. 
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Approach Solution -2

A buffer solution is a solution that can resist changes in \(pH\) when a small amount of an acid or a base is added to it. A buffer solution typically contains a weak acid and its corresponding conjugate base, or a weak base and its corresponding conjugate acid.

Out of the given pairs, only \(HNO_2\) and \(NaNO_2\) constitute a buffer.

\(HNO_2\) is a weak acid and \(NaNO_2\) is its conjugate base. When combined, they form a buffer solution that can resist changes in pH.

\(NaOH\) and \(NaCl\) do not constitute a buffer because \(NaOH\) is a strong base and \(NaCl\) is a salt, neither of which can act as a weak acid or weak base.

\(HNO_3\) and \(NH_4NO_3\) do not constitute a buffer because \(HNO_3\) is a strong acid, and \(NH_4NO_3\) is a salt, neither of which can act as a weak acid or weak base.

\(HCl\) and \(KCl\) do not constitute a buffer because \(HCl\) is a strong acid, and \(KCl\) is a salt, neither of which can act as a weak acid or weak base.

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Concepts Used:

Equilibrium

An equilibrium represents a state in a process when the observable properties such as color, temperature, pressure, concentration etc do not show any change.

The word equilibrium means ‘balance’ which indicates that a chemical reaction represents a balance between the reactants and products taking part in the reaction. The equilibrium state is also noticed in certain physical processes such as the melting point of ice at 0℃, both ice and water are present at equilibrium.

In the case of physical processes such as the melting of solid, dissolution of salt in water etc., the equilibrium is called physical equilibrium while the equilibrium associated with chemical reaction is known as chemical equilibrium.

Equilibrium in Chemical changes

The chemical equilibrium in a reversible reaction is the state at which both forward and backward reactions occur at the same speed.

The stage of the reversible reaction at which the concentration of the reactants and products do not change with time is called the equilibrium state.

Read More: Calculating Equilibrium Concentration

Types of Chemical Equilibrium

There are two types of chemical equilibrium:

  • Homogeneous Equilibrium
  • Heterogeneous Equilibrium

Homogenous Chemical Equilibrium

In this type, the reactants and the products of chemical equilibrium are all in the same phase. Homogenous equilibrium can be further divided into two types: Reactions in which the number of molecules of the products is equal to the number of molecules of the reactants. For example,

  • H2 (g) + I2 (g) ⇌ 2HI (g)
  • N2 (g) + O2 (g) ⇌ 2NO (g)

Reactions in which the number of molecules of the products is not equal to the total number of reactant molecules. For example,

  • 2SO2 (g) + O2 (g) ⇌ 2SO3 (g)
  • COCl2 (g) ⇌ CO (g) + Cl2 (g)

Heterogeneous Chemical Equilibrium

In this type, the reactants and the products of chemical equilibrium are present in different phases. A few examples of heterogeneous equilibrium are listed below.

  • CO2 (g) + C (s) ⇌ 2CO (g) 
  • CaCO3 (s) ⇌ CaO (s) + CO2 (g)

Thus, the different types of chemical equilibrium are based on the phase of the reactants and products.

Check Out: Equilibrium Important Questions