A buffered solution consists of a weak acid and its conjugate base or a weak base and its conjugate acid. The following chemical equation shows the reaction of carbonic acid (a weak acid) with an amphoteric or ampiphatic water which serves as a base in this reaction. The solution is considered buffered, when the conjugate base is present in about the same amount. For example, 0.50 M of NaHCO3 and 0.50 M H2CO3 buffer system. Assuming that a small amount of NaOH is added to the buffer,
H2CO3(aq) + H2O(l) --> HCO3-(aq) + H3O+(aq)
a. Identify which will react with OH- so that the pH of the solution does not change much. what are the products of this reaction?
b. Which will react with H+ when A small amount of aqueous HCl is added? What are the products of the reaction?