An Algebraic Derivation of Buffer Capacity

Abstract

Acid-base chemistry is becoming evermore infamous amongst new chemistry students—especially specialized topics such as buffers and their capacities. Currently, introductory chemistry students struggle to fully understand the formal definition of buffer capacity. In this manuscript, we algebraically derive a new and simple mathematical representation for buffer capacity from the Henderson-Hasselbalch equation. We find that three buffer capacity formulas evolve—each with a specific application depending on the concentration-ratio of weak acid or base to its corresponding conjugate.