Question

Calculate the pH of each acid solution.

[H3O⁺]= 0.034

[H3O⁺]= 0.035 M

[H3O⁺]= 0.036 M

Explain how the resulting pH values demonstrate that the pH of an acid solution should carry as many digits to the right of the decimal place as the number of significant figures in the concentration of the solution.

Answer 1

To calculate the pH of an acid solution, use the formula pH = -log[H3O+]. The resulting pH values are 1.47, 1.46, and 1.44 for the concentrations 0.034, 0.035, and 0.036 M H3O+, respectively. The pH value reflects the significant figures in the concentration's precision.

Step-by-step explanation:

To calculate the pH of an acid solution, we use the formula:

pH = -log[H3O+]

For the given concentrations:

1. pH of 0.034 M H3O+ = -log(0.034) = 1.47
2. pH of 0.035 M H3O+ = -log(0.035) = 1.46
3. pH of 0.036 M H3O+ = -log(0.036) = 1.44

Each pH value here carries as many digits to the right of the decimal place as the number of significant figures in the concentration of the solution. Therefore, the resulting pH values demonstrate a direct correlation between significant figures in concentration and precision in pH measurement. This relationship is crucial as pH is a logarithmic measure, and each unit change represents a tenfold change in hydrogen ion concentration.