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What will be the pH of a solution made by dissolving an acid in water?

(a) pH > 7
(b) pH = 7
(c) pH < 7
(d) any of the above

1 Answer

6 votes

Final answer:

The pH of a solution made by dissolving an acid in water will be less than 7, indicating that the solution is acidic due to the increased concentration of hydrogen ions.

Step-by-step explanation:

When an acid is dissolved in water, the pH of the solution will be less than 7. This is because acids release hydrogen ions (H+) when dissolved, which makes the solution acidic. The pH is calculated as the negative logarithm of the hydrogen ion concentration, so a high concentration of H+ ions corresponds to a lower pH value. Therefore, for a solution made by dissolving an acid in water, the pH will be < 7, indicating an acidic nature.

Several everyday examples illustrate this concept, such as wine, which typically has a pH around 3.0, and vinegar, known for its sour taste and acidic properties.

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