Question

question 7 of 32
what would happen if a small amount of acid were added to a buffered solution?

a. the ph would remain about the same.

b. the ph would increase slightly.

c. the ph would decrease slightly.

d. the ph would be close to 7.

Explanation:

A buffered solution resists changes in pH when small amounts of acid or base are added. The buffer components (a weak acid and its conjugate base, or vice versa) react with the added acid (H⁺ ions). The conjugate base in the buffer will react with the added H⁺, minimizing the change in pH. So adding a small amount of acid to a buffer won't cause a large pH change; it will remain about the same (though technically it might decrease very slightly, but compared to a non - buffered solution, the change is negligible, and option A is the best description of the buffer's action here as the other options are incorrect: B is wrong because adding acid shouldn't increase pH; C, while there might be a tiny decrease, the buffer's main role is to keep pH relatively stable, so "remain about the same" is more accurate; D is wrong as buffers can have various pH values, not necessarily close to 7).

Answer:

A. The pH would remain about the same.