Final answer:
The pH of a 0.050 M HClO₄ solution is 1.30, calculated using the formula pH = -log[H3O+], where the concentration of H3O+ is equal to the concentration of the strong acid, HClO₄.
Step-by-step explanation:
The pH of a solution is a measure of its acidity or alkalinity. In order to find the pH of a solution, you need to determine the concentration of hydrogen ions (H+) in the solution. In the case of 0.050 M HClO₄ (perchloric acid), the concentration of H+ ions is also 0.050 M, because one H+ ion is produced for every one mole of HClO₄.
Using the formula pH = -log[H3O+], where [H3O+] represents the concentration of H+ ions, we can calculate the pH: pH = -log(0.050) = 1.30