Buffer Calculations Deceive and Obscure

TCE

The Chemical Educator

ISSN: 1430-4171 (electronic version)

Table of Contents

Abstract Volume 1 Issue 6 (1997), S1430-4171(97)06073-1

Buffer Calculations Deceive and Obscure

Stephen J. Hawkes

Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon 97331-4003

Published online: 27 February 1997

Abstract. The pH of a buffer, calculated by the method given in introductory texts, is so dramatically inaccurate that it is dangerous. If the calculation is to be taught, then it must use either conditional constants or (for more advanced students) activity coefficients. It would be better not to teach the calculation at all, but to concentrate on the qualitative description of buffers, buffering, and buffer capacity.

Key Words: In the Classroom; buffer; general chemistry; acid base; pH; equilibrium; practicle; conditional

(*) Corresponding author. (E-mail: hawkess@ccmail.orst.edu)

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