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Ch.16 - Acid-Base Equilibria
Chapter 16, Problem 30c

Calculate 3OH-4 for each of the following solutions, and indicate whether the solution is acidic, basic, or neutral: (c) a solution in which 3H+4 is 1000 times greater than 3OH-4.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

pH and pOH

pH is a measure of the hydrogen ion concentration in a solution, while pOH measures the hydroxide ion concentration. The relationship between pH and pOH is defined by the equation pH + pOH = 14 at 25°C. A solution is considered acidic if pH < 7, basic if pH > 7, and neutral if pH = 7.
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Ion Concentration Ratio

The concentration of hydrogen ions (H+) and hydroxide ions (OH-) in a solution determines its acidity or basicity. If the concentration of H+ is significantly greater than that of OH-, the solution is acidic. Conversely, if OH- is more concentrated, the solution is basic. In this case, the problem states that [H+] is 1000 times greater than [OH-], indicating an acidic solution.
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Logarithmic Scale of pH

The pH scale is logarithmic, meaning each whole number change on the scale represents a tenfold change in hydrogen ion concentration. Therefore, a solution with [H+] that is 1000 times greater than [OH-] corresponds to a pH of approximately 3, indicating a strongly acidic solution. Understanding this scale is crucial for interpreting the acidity or basicity of solutions.
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