How can I make buffered solutions with specific solute concentrations and pH?
A buffered solution generally contains several different solutes. At a minimum, it must contain both the acid and base components of the buffer. In addition, buffered solutions often contain other solutes such as nutrients, electrolytes, and/or various biomolecules. To prepare a buffer with specific concentrations of several different solutes, do a separate calculation to determine the amount of each solute needed (using the procedures you learned in Exercise #2), mix all of the solutes together, and then add enough solvent to bring the solution to its final volume. In addition to controlling solute concentrations, making a buffer also involves controlling pH. The pH of a buffer is determined by the relative concentrations of the acid and base components. For example, in lab you will be preparing an acetate buffer. In this buffer, the acid component is acetic acid and the base component is the acetate ion. As long as the concentrations of these 2 components are equal, the pH of the ace
