Which of the following gives a buffer solution when equal volumes of the two solutions are mixed? (a) 0.10 M HF and 0.10 M NaF (b) 0.10 M HF and 0.10 M NaOH (c) 0.20 M HF and 0.10 M NaOH (d) 0.10 M HCl and 0.20 M NaF

A buffer solution is a system that resists changes in pH upon the addition of small amounts of acid or base. It typically consists of a weak acid and its conjugate base or a weak base and its conjugate acid. This equilibrium allows the buffer to neutralize added acids or bases, maintaining a relatively stable pH.

Weak acids partially dissociate in solution, establishing an equilibrium between the undissociated acid and its ions. The conjugate base is formed when the weak acid donates a proton. In buffer solutions, the presence of both the weak acid and its conjugate base allows for effective pH stabilization.

pH is a measure of the acidity or basicity of a solution, with lower values indicating higher acidity. Neutralization reactions occur when an acid reacts with a base, producing water and a salt. Understanding how these reactions affect pH is crucial for determining whether a mixture will form a buffer solution.