Consider the following statements regarding pH and buffer solutions: 1. A buffer solution resists significant changes in pH upon the addition of small amounts of strong acid or strong base. 2. An acidic buffer consists of a weak acid and its salt with a strong base. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

💡 Solution & Explanation

Buffer solutions are designed to maintain relatively constant pH levels by neutralizing added hydronium or hydroxide ions using conjugate acid-base pairs. An acidic buffer system like acetic acid mixed with sodium acetate fulfills this requirement effectively. Both statements correctly describe fundamental concepts of chemical equilibrium and acid-base chemistry. Biological fluids such as human blood rely heavily on bicarbonate buffer systems to maintain strict physiological pH.