Buffer Solutions: pH Calculation and Equilibrium

This lecture covers the concept of buffer solutions, which resist changes in pH upon addition of acid or base. It explains how buffer capacity is determined by the concentrations of weak acids and their conjugate bases. The Henderson-Hasselbalch equation is introduced to calculate the pH of a buffer solution. Practical examples using acetic acid and sodium acetate are provided, along with detailed calculations for preparing buffer solutions at specific pH values. The lecture also discusses titration curves for weak acid-strong base reactions and the importance of the half-equivalence point. Emphasis is placed on understanding the equilibrium between weak acids and their conjugate bases in maintaining stable pH levels.