Question

Which of the following statements about pH is correct?

1) The pH of hydrochloric acid is above 7
2) The pH of pure water is below 7
3) The pH of sodium hydroxide is at 7
4) None of the above

Answer 1

All the given statements about pH are incorrect because hydrochloric acid has a pH below 7, pure water has a pH of 7, and sodium hydroxide has a pH above 7. The correct answer is 'None of the above'.

Step-by-step explanation:

When evaluating the statements regarding pH levels, we must consider the properties of acids and bases. The pH scale is a measure of hydrogen ion concentration, with a range generally between 0 and 14 where:

• A pH less than 7 indicates an acidic solution.
• A pH equal to 7 indicates a neutral solution.
• A pH greater than 7 indicates a basic (alkaline) solution.

Considering this information:

1. The pH of hydrochloric acid, a strong acid, is well below 7.
2. The pH of pure water is exactly 7, neutral.
3. The pH of sodium hydroxide, a strong base, is well above 7.

Therefore, every statement in the question is incorrect, making the correct answer:

1. None of the above.