Buffer Preparation & Quality Control
Learn how buffers resist pH change, how to calculate and prepare them, and how to check their quality — through theory you can read and virtual experiments you can run in your browser.
What you'll be able to do
Virtual experiments
Six self-contained, scientifically modelled widgets. No install — they run offline in this page.
Buffer Calculator
Pick a buffer, target pH, concentration and volume — get the exact masses to weigh, with the Henderson–Hasselbalch working shown.
Open calculator → Experiment 2Titration Simulator
Add acid or base drop by drop and watch the pH curve form. See the buffering region, the half-equivalence point (pH = pKa) and the equivalence point.
Open simulator → Experiment 3Buffer Capacity Explorer
Slide the pKa and concentration and see why buffer capacity (β) peaks exactly at pH = pKa and grows with concentration.
Explore capacity → Experiment 4pH-Meter Bench
Calibrate a glass electrode with pH 4 / 7 / 10 standards, check its slope, then measure unknowns — and see what a dirty or warm electrode does.
Calibrate & measure → Experiment 5 · capstoneBuffer Prep Bench
Weigh, dissolve, adjust pH and bring to volume — in the right order. Get a QC report that catches the classic mistakes.
Make a buffer → Experiment 6QC Troubleshooting
Given the symptoms, diagnose what went wrong with a buffer and how to fix it. Reasoning practice with instant feedback.
Diagnose problems →Also on this site
Theory & Concepts
Eight short, readable sections — the full companion to the lecture.
Read the theory →Knowledge Quiz
Check your understanding with explained questions and a score.
Take the quiz →Glossary
Key terms defined in plain language.
Open glossary →References
Constants, molecular weights and further reading.
See references →This site uses simplified teaching models (for example, it treats activity as equal to concentration and ignores ionic-strength effects). The chemistry is accurate enough to learn the concepts, but for real laboratory work always confirm values against your reagent's data sheet.