Final answer:
In a titration of a strong acid with a strong base, the pH prior to the equivalence point is less than 7, indicating an acidic solution.
Step-by-step explanation:
When titrating a strong acid with a strong base, the pH prior to the equivalence point is < 7. This pH value indicates that the solution is acidic because there is still unneutralized strong acid present. During the titration, the pH increases gradually as the strong base is added. As the equivalence point approaches, where the number of moles of base added equals the number of moles of acid originally present, the pH increases more rapidly. However, before reaching this point, due to the presence of excess strong acid, the pH remains less than 7. At the equivalence point itself, the pH will be exactly 7, indicating a neutral solution because the amounts of strong acid and strong base present in the solution are stoichiometrically equivalent.