At what point will a buffer solution cease to moderate changes in pH?
A)when waters equilibrium constant has been reached
B)when the weak acid and the weak base salt concentration are equal
C)when the acting buffering component is all neutralized
D)only after all the acid or the base that needs to be buffered has been added

Question

At what point will a buffer solution cease to moderate changes in pH?
A)when waters equilibrium constant has been reached 
B)when the weak acid and the weak base salt concentration are equal 
C)when the acting buffering component is all neutralized 
D)only after all the acid or the base that needs to be buffered has been added

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

A buffer solution works by maintaining a balance between the weak acid and its conjugate base or the weak base and its conjugate acid. When all of the buffering components (the weak acid or base and its conjugate) have been consumed, the buffer solution can no longer maintain this equilibrium and will no longer effectively moderate changes in pH. Therefore, option C is the correct answer. Options A, B, and D do not accurately describe when a buffer solution stops moderating pH changes.

At What Point Will a Buffer Solution Cease to Moderate