Final answer:
The pH of the substance with a hydrogen ion concentration of 3.1*10^-8M is 7.51, indicating that the solution is basic.
Step-by-step explanation:
The pH of a substance can be calculated using the formula pH = -log[H+], where [H+] is the concentration of hydrogen ions in moles per liter (M). Given that the hydrogen ion concentration of the unknown substance is [H+]=3.1*10^-8M, we can calculate the pH as follows:
pH = -log(3.1*10^-8)
pH = 7.51
As the pH is higher than 7, the substance is classified as basic.