Final answer:
The pH of a 0.27 M solution of HNO₃ is calculated using the formula pH = -log[H+]. Since HNO₃ is a strong acid, its pH is approximately 0.57.
Step-by-step explanation:
To calculate the pH of 0.27 M HNO₃ (nitric acid), which is a strong acid and dissociates completely in aqueous solution, we use the formula pH = -log[H+]. Since the concentration of H+ ions is equal to the concentration of HNO₃ in solution, we can directly calculate the pH.
The concentration of hydronium ions [H+] is 0.27 M, so we calculate pH as follows:
pH = -log(0.27)
pH ≈ 0.57
Thus, the correct answer is (a) 0.57.