The property of a buffer solution to resist change in its pH value even when small amounts of the acid or the base are added to it is called buffer action . Consider the acidic buffer solution containing acetic acid and sodium acetate. They dissociate as CH3COONa <=======> CH3COO - + H + CH3COONa <=======> CH3COO - + Na + When a few drops of an acid, HCl is added to this buffer solution, the H + ions combine with CH3COO - ions to form weakly ionized molecules of CH3COOH. CH3COO - + H + <=======> CH3COOH Thus H + ion concentration does not change and hence the pH of the solution remains constant. When a few drops of base, NaOH is added to the buffer solution, hydroxyl ions of the base neutralize the acid, forming salt and water. Similarly, in a basic buffer solution of NH4OH and NH4Cl, they dissociates as NH4OH <======> NH4 + + OH - NH4Cl ----------> NH4 + + Cl - When a few drops of a base added, the OH - ions given by it combine with NH4 + ions to ...