A buffer is a system of a weak acid and its conjugate base or a weak base and its conjugate acid. In the case of HCN, it is a weak acid and it\'s conjugate base would be CN-. You can make a buffer by adding a salt of the conjugate base such as KCN or NaCN to HCN. When an acid is added, it reacts with the CN- ion (the conjugate base) and forms HCN (the weak acid). H+ + CN- --> HCN When a base is added, it reacts with the HCN (the weak acid) and forms the CN- ion (the conjugate base). OH- + HCN --> CN- + H2O This shows how the buffer takes advantage of the common ion effect because since the CN- anion is in both the weak acid and the conjugate base salt, when either component of the buffer reacts, it generates more of the non- reacting component. Solution A buffer is a system of a weak acid and its conjugate base or a weak base and its conjugate acid. In the case of HCN, it is a weak acid and it\'s conjugate base would be CN-. You can make a buffer by adding a salt of the conjugate base such as KCN or NaCN to HCN. When an acid is added, it reacts with the CN- ion (the conjugate base) and forms HCN (the weak acid). H+ + CN- --> HCN When a base is added, it reacts with the HCN (the weak acid) and forms the CN- ion (the conjugate base). OH- + HCN --> CN- + H2O This shows how the buffer takes advantage of the common ion effect because since the CN- anion is in both the weak acid and the conjugate base salt, when either component of the buffer reacts, it generates more of the non- reacting component..