Chapter 14, Problem 1CE

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

The solution which has the highest acidity is to be identified among solutions of $\text{pH 1}$, $\text{pH 5}$, and $\text{pH 9}$.

Concept introduction:

The pH value ranges from $0-14$. The substance that has $\text{pH}<7$ is considered as acidic whereas the substance that has $\text{pH}>\text{7}$ is considered as basic. The neutral $\text{pH}$ value is $7$. A general dissociation reaction of acid is shown below.

$\text{HA}\left(aq\right)\to {\text{H}}^{+}\left(aq\right)+{\text{A}}^{-}\left(aq\right)$

Answer to Problem 1CE

The solution which has the highest acidity among solutions of $\text{pH 1}$, $\text{pH 5}$, and $\text{pH 9}$ is a solution with $\text{pH 1}$.

Explanation of Solution

The given value of $\text{pH}$ is $1$, $5$, and $9$.

The formula of $\text{pH}$ is given as shown below.

$\text{pH}=-\log \left[{\text{H}}^{\text{+}}\right]$…(1)

Where,

• $\left[{\text{H}}^{\text{+}}\right]$ is the concentration of ${\text{H}}^{\text{+}}$ ion.

The value of $\text{pH}$ decreases as the concentration of ${\text{H}}^{\text{+}}$ ion increases in solution. The solution that has higher concentration of ${\text{H}}^{\text{+}}$ ions is more acidic than the solution that has a lower concentration of ${\text{H}}^{\text{+}}$ ions.

Therefore, the solution with lowest pH $\left(\text{pH 1}\right)$ has highest acidity.

Conclusion

The solution with $\text{pH 1}$ has highest acidity.