Question

Which change in pH represents a hundredfold increase in the concentration of hydronium ions in a solution?

1) 1 to 2
2) 1 to 3
3) 2 to 1
4) 3 to 1

Answer 1

The change in pH from 1 to 3 represents a hundredfold increase in hydronium ion concentration.

Step-by-step explanation:

To find which change in pH represents a hundredfold increase in the concentration of hydronium ions in a solution, we must understand that the pH scale is logarithmic, where each unit change represents a tenfold change in hydronium ion concentration. Therefore, a change in pH of two units indicates a hundredfold (10 x 10) change in concentration. Comparing the options provided:

• 1 to 2 - Tenfold increase
• 1 to 3 - Hundredfold increase
• 2 to 1 - Tenfold decrease
• 3 to 1 - Hundredfold decrease

Thus, the correct answer is the change from pH 1 to pH 3, which represents a hundredfold increase in the concentration of hydronium ions.