Question

Which of the following statements about the pH of 0.010 M HClO4 is correct?

a) The solution is acidic.
b) The solution is basic.
c) The pH cannot be determined from the given information.
d) The solution is neutral.

Answer 1

The 0.010 M solution of HClO4 is acidic with a calculated pH of 2, as perchloric acid is a strong acid that completely dissociates in water.

The correct answer is A.

Step-by-step explanation:

The pH of a solution can be determined by the concentration of hydrogen ions (H3O+) present in the solution. The pH is calculated using the formula pH = -log[H3O+] .

HClO4, or perchloric acid, is a strong acid, meaning it completely dissociates in water. A 0.010 M solution of HClO4 would produce [H3O+] = 0.010 M, and the pH would be calculated as pH = -log(0.010) = 2.

Given that a solution is acidic if [H3O+] > 1 × 10^-7 M, the correct answer is a) The solution is acidic. This is because the concentration of H3O+ in 0.010 M HClO4 is greater than 1 × 10^-7 M.