Buffering Action and Capacity
Description: The amount of acid or base added to water to produce an indicator color change is compared to the amount of acid or base added to a strong buffer.
Source: Shakhashiri, B.Z. Chemical Demonstrations: A Handbook for Teachers of Chemistry
Year: 1989 Vol: 3 Page: 173
Keywords: Buffers, pH Meters, Overhead projector, Acids and Bases, Water
Rating: 
Hazard: Some
- Acute toxicity hazard
- Inhalation hazard
- Skin corrosion hazard
- Corrosive to metals
- Serious eye damage
Effectiveness: Good
- Good connection from demo to course material
- Clear contrast between behavior of systems
- Secondary observations
- Time to results is medium
Difficulty: Medium
- Adding reagents sequentially
- Some intermediate steps to results
- Some sequential manipulations
- Demos in which a display or instrument is used
Safety Precautions:
- UL approved three-prong plug and outlet
- This demo may be performed with a pH meter
- Gloves required
- Eye protection required
- Absorbent material on hand
- Avoid exposure to mists or vapors
- Perform in a well-ventilated area
Class: Buffers, Acid Base Chemistry
Division: General, Inorganic Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry
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