The pair HNO2 and NaNO2 constitutes a buffer because HNO2 is a weak acid and NaNO2 is a salt of a weak acid (HNO2) with a strong base (NaOH). Hence, it is an example of an acidic buffer solution. Caution Solutions of a weak acid and its conjugate base or weak base and its conjugate acid are able to maintain pH forming buffer solutions.