Buffer Solution Preparation Using Acetic Acid

Which of the following could be added to a solution of acetic acid to prepare a buffer?

A) sodium acetate only

B) sodium acetate or sodium hydroxide

C) nitric acid only

D) hydrofluoric acid or nitric acid

Final answer:

To prepare a buffer solution with acetic acid, one should add its conjugate base, sodium acetate. Adding a strong acid, base, or a compound that does not provide the acetate ion would not form a buffer.

Explanation:

When preparing a buffer solution, the components needed are a weak acid and its conjugate base. In this case, acetic acid is the weak acid. The corresponding conjugate base is the acetate ion, which can be provided by adding sodium acetate to the solution. Thus, the option to prepare a buffer solution with acetic acid would be sodium acetate only (Option A). Sodium hydroxide, nitric acid, and hydrofluoric acid would not form a buffer with acetic acid because they are either strong bases (sodium hydroxide) or strong acids (nitric acid), or do not provide the necessary acetate ion (hydrofluoric acid).