Buffer solutions are used during the fermentation process, the calibration of pH metres, dyeing fabrics, leather treatments and during protein and enzyme manufacturing. This advanced chemistry course examines buffer solutions and pH. We begin by studying the self-ionisation of water, the ionic byproduct of neutral water, pH calculations and the pH scale used to indicate the acidity of a solution's range from zero to 14. We then investigate the pH metre, which measures a solution's pH. The course then covers strong acids and strong bases and explains how to calculate their pH and dissociation constant (Kₐ) before moving on to the general dissociation reaction of weak acids.

The course then explains how indicators like methyl violet and thymol blue and acid-base titration procedures are used to determine the equivalence point of neutralisation reactions. We outline the two types of buffer solutions, acidic and basic, and show you how an acid buffer works when adding an acid or a base, shifting the reaction to the left or right. The course also discusses how rainwater serves as a buffer while acid rain does not and demonstrates how to calculate the pH of a buffer solution.

Finally, we study the equilibrium system found in saturated solutions and solubility, which measures how much solute can dissolve in a solvent at a specific temperature. We define the term ‘solubility product’ and break down its general formula and the ionic product of some sparingly soluble salts. The course then explains how to calculate the solubility product of sparingly soluble ionic salt. We show you how to predict when salt will start to precipitate while dissolving in water and describe the common ion effect on the solubility of the ionic compound. Lastly, we study the partition coefficient and explain how to use it to calculate the concentration of compounds. This advanced chemistry course suits students and aspiring chemists who want to understand pH, chemical equilibrium and solubility. Sign up to play with the building blocks of life and understand the hidden processes going on all around you.