10. (6pts) A buffer must contain equal or similar amounts (within 10x in terms of concentration) of a
weak conjugate acid base pair.
Consider a buffer system composed 0.1 M of the weak base NH3 (ammonia) and 0.2 M of the
salt containing the conjugate acid form NH4Cl. The K, of ammonia is 1.8 * 10%.
a. What is the pH of this buffer? Show your work.
b. Why must the concentrations be similar? (Or think of it this way, how would the buffer
be less effective if they are not similar)?
c. Why must the conjugate acid-base pair be weak?
