Buffer Capacity in Chemical Equilibrium: How long can you hyperventilate before severe alkalosis sets in?

Armando Herbelin, Lower Columbia College
Author Profile
This material is replicated on a number of sites as part of the SERC Pedagogic Service Project

Summary

In this Spreadsheets Across the Curriculum module, students build spreadsheets and draw graphs to explore a chemical buffer's ability to resist pH change, i.e., the buffer capacity. Quantification of buffer capacity is conceptually straightforward but involves multiple repetitive calculations. The key relationship is the Henderson-Hasselbalch equation:

Henderson-Hasselbalch Equation ,

which follows from the Law of Mass Action and


http://life.familyeducation.com/img/article/Hyperventilation.jpg
The spreadsheets automate many of the calculations, thereby simplifying the process. Instead of focusing on the calculations, students can see what buffer capacity means and focus on the a deeper understanding of its implications. After reviewing several buffer calculations, the stduents use the spreadsheet to investigate buffer capacity graphically and characterize blood's physiological buffer system. While solving the question of how many breaths one can take before alkalosis sets in, the students manipulate a logarithmic equation, do "what if" modeling, and analyze rates of change from plots of their cacluated results.

Used this activity? Share your experiences and modifications

Learning Goals


Math and spreadsheets content

  • Manipulate multivariable equations involving logarithms.
  • Use XY Scatter Plots to analyze chemical buffers and explore buffer capacity.
  • Use a spreadsheet to model chemical buffers to determine buffer capacity through a "What If" process.
  • Interpret a graph of the buffer system and relate the slope to buffer capacity.
  • Relate numerical results to an applied problem in buffer capacity.

Chemistry -- Buffers

  • Derive Henderson-Hasselbalch equation from the mass action equation for a weak acid. (Optional)
  • Perform buffer calculations using the Henderson-Hasselbalch equation.
  • Use a graphical approach to understand the behavior of chemical buffers.

Context for Use

While the concept is often skipped, Buffer Capacity can an opportunity for students to apply and enhance their understanding of buffers.

This module is designed for use one lesson after buffer calculations are taught in a 1-year introductory college chemistry course. Students will see a brief review of three types of buffer calculations and then develop a spreadsheet to graph and explore concepts of buffer capacity.

Like other Spreadsheets Across the Curriculum (SSAC) modules, end of module questions activities are available.

Description and Teaching Materials

Powerpoint SSAC2007.QD561.AH1.1-student version (PowerPoint 819kB Dec19 07)

The module is a PowerPoint presentation with embedded spreadsheets.

If the embedded spreadsheets are not visible, save the PowerPoint file to disk and open it from there.

This PowerPoint file is the student version of the module. An instructor version is available by request. The instructor version includes the completed spreadsheet. Send your request to Len Vacher (vacher@usf.edu) by filling out and submitting the Instructor Module Request Form.

Teaching Notes and Tips

The module is intended as a stand-alone resource. It can be used as a lab exercise or handwork assignment, or as the basis of an interactive classroom activity.

Assessment

The last slide is an end-of-module assignment that can be used to examine student understanding and learning gains.

The instructor's version also includes a pretest that can be used to evaluate the effectiveness of the module.

References and Resources

Novice Excel users should consider attempting the following module: