Chemistry - Acids and Bases - Buffer solutions - Buffer vs Non-Buffer

Side-by-side comparison. LEFT: Pure water (no buffer). RIGHT: Acetate buffer (CH₃COOH + CH₃COONa). Both start at pH 7 (or ~4.75 for the buffer). A slider adds drops of strong acid (HCl) or strong base (NaOH). In PURE WATER: pH plummets (adding acid) or skyrockets (adding base) dramatically. Graph sh