A buffered solution is a special type of solution that resists changes in pH when small amounts of an acid or a base are added. This is achieved by including a weak acid and its conjugate base, or a weak base and its conjugate acid, in the solution. These components work together to neutralize added acids or bases, thereby stabilizing the pH.
In contrast, a non-buffered solution lacks these components and does not resist changes in pH. When an acid or base is added to a non-buffered solution, the pH will change significantly. This makes non-buffered solutions more sensitive to fluctuations in pH, which can affect a variety of chemical reactions and biological processes.
In summary, the key difference is that buffered solutions maintain a relatively constant pH, while non-buffered solutions do not. This property makes buffered solutions particularly important in many scientific and industrial applications where precise pH control is necessary.