Q117 / 200 · MHT CET - Medical 2026 (23 April Shift 1) · Chemistry

Which from the following is NOT a buffer solution?

  • A
    $\text{CH}_3\text{COOH} + \text{CH}_3\text{COONa}$ in water.
  • B
    $\text{NH}_4\text{OH} + \text{NH}_4\text{Cl}$ in water.
  • C
    $\text{HCOOH} + \text{HCOONa}$ in water.
  • Correct answer
    D
    $\text{CH}_3\text{COOH} + \text{NaCl}$ in water.

Solution

A buffer solution is formed by mixing a weak acid and its conjugate base (salt with a strong base) or a weak base and its conjugate acid (salt with a strong acid).

$\text{CH}_3\text{COOH} + \text{CH}_3\text{COONa}$ is an acidic buffer because it contains a weak acid ($\text{CH}_3\text{COOH}$) and its salt with a strong base ($\text{CH}_3\text{COONa}$).

$\text{NH}_4\text{OH} + \text{NH}_4\text{Cl}$ is a basic buffer because it contains a weak base ($\text{NH}_4\text{OH}$) and its salt with a strong acid ($\text{NH}_4\text{Cl}$).

$\text{HCOOH} + \text{HCOONa}$ is an acidic buffer because it contains a weak acid ($\text{HCOOH}$) and its salt with a strong base ($\text{HCOONa}$).

$\text{CH}_3\text{COOH} + \text{NaCl}$ is a mixture of a weak acid and a salt of a strong acid and strong base. It does not contain the conjugate base of the weak acid ($\text{CH}_3\text{COO}^{-}$), so it cannot act as a buffer solution.

Answer: $\text{CH}_3\text{COOH} + \text{NaCl}$ in water.

Hence, the correct answer is option: 'D'.

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