What is the pH of a solution with an H+ ion concentration of 1 x 10^-2 M?

Prepare for the NLN PAX Science Exam with flashcards and multiple choice questions. Each question includes hints and detailed explanations to boost your confidence and exam readiness.

Multiple Choice

What is the pH of a solution with an H+ ion concentration of 1 x 10^-2 M?

Explanation:
pH is the negative base-10 logarithm of the hydrogen ion concentration. For [H+] = 1 × 10^-2 M, pH = -log10(1 × 10^-2) = 2. This shows why the solution is acidic (pH below 7). The scale is logarithmic, so a tenfold change in [H+] changes the pH by 1 unit. In this case, 0.01 M hydrogen ions correspond to a pH of 2. For reference, pH 12 or 13 would require [H+] of 1 × 10^-12 or 1 × 10^-13 M, and pH 1 would require [H+] of 0.1 M.

pH is the negative base-10 logarithm of the hydrogen ion concentration. For [H+] = 1 × 10^-2 M, pH = -log10(1 × 10^-2) = 2. This shows why the solution is acidic (pH below 7). The scale is logarithmic, so a tenfold change in [H+] changes the pH by 1 unit. In this case, 0.01 M hydrogen ions correspond to a pH of 2. For reference, pH 12 or 13 would require [H+] of 1 × 10^-12 or 1 × 10^-13 M, and pH 1 would require [H+] of 0.1 M.

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