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Write Brief Answer · Q13

Q.Define pH.

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Concept understanding — pH and pOH Scale

Acid/base solutions typically span the concentration range 10−110^{-1} to 10−710^{-7} M, an inconveniently wide span. Sorensen's logarithmic pH scale expresses this compactly: pH=−log⁡10[H3O+]pH=-\log_{10}[H_3O^+], so [H3O+]=10−pH[H_3O^+]=10^{-pH}; the analogous quantity for hydroxide is pOH=−log⁡10[OH−]pOH=-\log_{10}[OH^-].

pH + pOH = pKw. Adding the two definitions gives pH+pOH=−log⁡10([H3O+][OH−])=−log⁡10Kw=pKwpH+pOH=-\log_{10}([H_3O^+][OH^-])=-\log_{10}K_w=pK_w. At 25∘C25^\circ C, Kw=1×10−14K_w=1\times10^{-14}, so pKw=14pK_w=14 and pH+pOH=14pH+pOH=14. In a neutral solution at 25∘C25^\circ C, both pH and pOH equal 7; acidic solutions have pH < 7, basic solutions have pH > 7. …

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