Homogeneous versus Heterogeneous Solution Equilibria

In Chapter 15, we saw that weak acids and weak bases do not ionize completely in water. Thus, at equilibrium a weak acid solution, for example, contains nonionized acid as well as ions and the conjugate base. Nevertheless, all of these species are dissolved so the system is an example of homogeneous equilibrium (see Chapter 14). 

Another type of equilibrium, which we will consider in the second half of this chapter, involves the dissolution and precipitation of slightly soluble substances. These processes are examples of heterogeneous equilibria— that is, they pertain to reactions in which the components are in more than one phase. 

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Homogeneous Versus Heterogeneous Solution Equilibria 575 Buffer Solutions 575... 

Figure 15.5. Buffer intensity versus pH for some heterogeneous systems and for the homogeneous dissolved carbonate system. Buffer intensities 0ct (dissolved carbonate, Cr = 10 M) /Scacoj (carbonate solution in equilibrium with calcite), (carbonate solution in equilibrium with pco2 atm), /3an kaoi (solution in equilibrium with...

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