Chapter 9, Problem 9.91P

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

The reason for the pH of 0.10 M $\text{HCl}$ to be lower than the pH of 0.10 M ${\text{CH}}_{\text{3}}\text{COOH}$ solution needs to be determined.

Concept Introduction:

A base is defined as the substance that can give ${\text{[OH}}^{-}\text{]}$ in its solution whereas an acid can give ${\text{[H}}_{\text{3}}{\text{O}}^{\text{+}}\text{]}$ in its solution. General equation for acid and base can be written as:

  ${\text{HA}}_{\text{(l)}}{\text{ + H}}_{\text{2}}{\text{O}}_{\text{(l)}}\underset{}{\rightleftarrows }{\text{ A}}^{\text{-}}{}_{\text{(aq)}}{\text{ + H}}_{\text{3}}{\text{O}}^{\text{+}}{}_{\text{(aq)}}$

  ${\text{BOH}}_{\text{(l)}}\underset{}{\rightleftarrows }{\text{ OH}}^{\text{-}}{}_{\text{(aq)}}{\text{ + B}}^{\text{+}}{}_{\text{(aq)}}$

If the concentration of ${\text{H}}_{\text{3}}{\text{O}}^{\text{+}}$ ions is more than ${\text{OH}}^{\text{-}}$ ions it is said to be acidic whereas the solution with more ${\text{OH}}^{\text{-}}$ ions than ${\text{H}}_{\text{3}}{\text{O}}^{\text{+}}$ ions it is said to be basic solution.

The acidic and basic nature of the solution can be expressed in terms of pH of the solution. The range of pH lies from 0 to 14. The pH value from 0 to 7 indicates an acidic solution whereas the pH value from 7 to 14 stands for a basic solution. A neutral solution can be expressed as pH 7. It can be calculated with the help of concentration ${\text{H}}_{\text{3}}{\text{O}}^{\text{+}}$ ions and can be formulated as:

  ${\text{pH = - log [H}}_{\text{3}}{\text{O}}^{\text{+}}\text{]}$