Question

Adding liquid chlorine to pool water has the following effect on PH:

A) Will lower the ph
B) Will raise the ph
C) Has no effect on ph
D) Depends on outdoor air temperature

Answer 1

Adding liquid chlorine to pool water will lower the pH as it forms acids that contribute to an increase in hydronium ions.

Step-by-step explanation:

Adding liquid chlorine to pool water typically has the effect of lowering the pH. This is because when chlorine is added to water, it forms hydrochloric acid (HCl) and hypochlorous acid (HOCl), both of which are acids that can lower the pH of the water, making it more acidic. The pH of water is sensitive to changes in ion concentration, and since chlorine contributes to the concentration of hydronium ions in water, it generally decreases the pH. It's crucial to maintain the ideal pH level of around 7.2 in a swimming pool to ensure it's safe for human use, and avoid issues such as red eyes or itchy skin which can occur if the pH is too basic or too acidic. Therefore, the correct answer to the question is A) Will lower the pH.