How do I calculate buffer capacity?
Posted December 22, 2023
Answer
There are several steps to follow to calculate buffer capacity.
- Find the initial pH and final pH using the Henderson-Hasselbalch equation
- Subtract the final pH from the initial pH
- Divide the number of moles of a base or acid added to the buffer solution by the change in pH. This step results in the buffer capacity
In equation terms, it looks like the following:
Buffer capacity = # mol/L (of an acid/base) / final pH - initial pH
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