What is Ph: Definition and 520 Discussions

In chemistry, pH (, denoting 'potential of hydrogen' or 'power of hydrogen') is a scale used to specify the acidity or basicity of an aqueous solution. Acidic solutions (solutions with higher concentrations of H+ ions) are measured to have lower pH values than basic or alkaline solutions.
The pH scale is logarithmic and inversely indicates the concentration of hydrogen ions in the solution. This is because the formula used to calculate pH approximates the negative of the base 10 logarithm of the molar concentration of hydrogen ions in the solution. More precisely, pH is the negative of the base 10 logarithm of the activity of the H+ ion.At 25 °C, solutions with a pH less than 7 are acidic, and solutions with a pH greater than 7 are basic. Solutions with a pH of 7 at this temperature are neutral (e.g. pure water). The neutral value of the pH depends on the temperature – being lower than 7 if the temperature increases. The pH value can be less than 0 for very strong acids, or greater than 14 for very strong bases.The pH scale is traceable to a set of standard solutions whose pH is established by international agreement. Primary pH standard values are determined using a concentration cell with transference, by measuring the potential difference between a hydrogen electrode and a standard electrode such as the silver chloride electrode. The pH of aqueous solutions can be measured with a glass electrode and a pH meter, or a color-changing indicator. Measurements of pH are important in chemistry, agronomy, medicine, water treatment, and many other applications.

View More On Wikipedia.org
  1. C

    PH rising during ammonia extraction with evaporation

    Hello there, During an experiment I had for my MSc Thesis for ammonia extraction, I used WWTP sludge and biogas digestate with an evaporation/distillation unit. I tried different combinations of sample vol. and evaporating flask vol. and then I added vacuum pressure. At first pH was dropping...
  2. J

    Understanding pH: Number of Ions in H+ & OH-

    Although the masses of a mole of H+ and a mole of OH- are different, what is the number of ions contained in each?
  3. R

    Finding pH of solution knowing E°....

    Homework Statement The pair Ni2+/Ni has E°=-0.25V. Find the minimum pH of the sulution so that a nickel bar immersed in it, doesn't produce hydrogen. Homework Equations - The Attempt at a Solution This problem doesn't make any sense to me. Maybe there is a cell in which the following reaction...
  4. I

    Correlation Between pH & Electrolysis Rate

    Hi, I have been performing an experiment to determine whether there is any correlation between pH and the rate of electrolysis. I have performed it using monobasic, dibasic and tribasic acids of constant concentration. However, I can't seem to find any correlation. Is there something I should...
  5. D

    Titration of Sulfurous Acid: Calculating pH with Ka Values

    Homework Statement A 0.551 L solution of 1.37 M sulfurous acid (Ka1 = 1.5e-2 and Ka2 = 1.0e-7) is titrated with 1.65 M NaOH. What will the pH of the solution be when 0.7549 L of the NaOH has been added? The answer is 7.27. Homework Equations -log(H+)=pH pH = pKa + log(salt/acid) The Attempt...
  6. F

    What if pH of 9 for HCl? Investigating Possible Answers

    We know pH is measured by the negative logarithm of concentration of Hydrogen ion. But what if the concentration in HCl is 10-9M then the pH will be 9. But how can it be possible since a pH of 9 is basic while HCl is an acid?
  7. J

    Find the Error: Calculating pH of 0.5L Diluted HA Solution

    You prepare 0.5 liters of a solution by adding 0.75 moles of a weak acid HA to water. For HA, Ka = 10^-1 Finally you dilute this solution to a final volume of 2.0 liters. What is the pH of the diluted solution? My solution is this. [HA] = .75 mol /.5 L = 1.5 M. HA + H2O -> H3O+ + A-. If x...
  8. N

    Understand pH Meter Functioning: An Electric Potential Difference

    Hello! I have a question concerning the functioning of a pH meter. All the sources online that I can find either omit, I think, important information, or describe it in "technical terms" with equations. I would like to know what is happening at the level of the distribution and movement of...
  9. xyla

    How Can %w/v Be Converted to pH?

    Hi. I would like to ask help on what is the equivalent of % w/v to pH? Say for example: What is the pH of 4% w/v?
  10. T

    Lower pH w/ Equal Vol 0.60M NaOH: 0.70 M KOH

    Homework Statement To which of the following would the addition of an equal volume of 0.60 M NaOH lead to a solution having a lower pH? (a) water, (b) 0.30 M HCl, (c) 0.70 M KOH, (d) 0.40 M NaNO3. 2.The attempt at a solution the correct answer is 0.70 M KOH, and they say that by adding more OH...
  11. C

    Estimating pH for Highest Buffer Capacity from HO2C-C6H4-CO2H & HO2C-C6H4-CO2Na

    Ka values of the 1st and 2nd dissociation of phthalic acid (HO2C-C6H4-CO2H) are given below. Estimate the pH value for highest buffer capacity when a buffer is prepared from 1:1 mixture of phthalic acid and sodium hydrogen phthalate (HO2CC6H4- CO2Na) in water? HO2C-C6H4-CO2H <=> H+...
  12. F

    Guide 34 pH Buffer Sources: Find NIST Traceable Vendors

    Hello! Can anyone recommend a good guide 34 and NIST traceable pH buffer vendor. Our experience with our current vendor has left a bit to be desired, and we need a large variety of standards that limits our supply. Thank you for reading this and any help you may offer.
  13. T

    Buffer Solution Calculation Example

    Homework Statement Prepare a buffer solution of pH 3.746 from 25 mL of 0.244 M weak acid with pka 3.54 What volume, in mL, of 0.275 M NaOH would need to be added? I think that I have the answer but I am not sure, could you look over the working to check? Also, would you do this differently...
  14. J

    Physical Chemistry pH question

    Homework Statement The dissociation constant Ka for the acid-base reaction HA-->(H+)+(A-) is given by Ka = products / reactants; but instead of listing Ka, people generally list pKa = -logKa (where log indicates the 10-base logarithm). Similarly, instead of using [H+], people generally use pH...
  15. Teemo

    Amount of base needed to titrate to pH 10.00

    Homework Statement A 50.0 mL sample of a 1.00 M solution of a diprotic acid H2A (Ka1 = 1.0 × 10–6 and Ka2 = 1.0 × 10–10) is titrated with 2.00 M NaOH. What is the minimum volume of 2.00 M NaOH needed to reach a pH of 10.00? (A) 12.5 mL (B) 37.5 mL (C) 25.0 mL (D) 50.0 mL Homework Equations...
  16. M

    Electrochemical Cells (involving partial pressures and pH)

    Homework Statement A voltaic cell utilises the following reaction: 4 Fe2+(aq) + O2(g) + 4 H+(aq) ---> 4 Fe3+(aq) + 2 H2O(l) What is the emf of this cell when [Fe2+] = 1.3 M, [Fe3+] = 0.010 M, PO2 = 0.51 bar and the pH of the solution in the cathode is 3.5. The standard reduction potentials...
  17. schrodingerscat11

    Can you bring a dependent abroad for Ph. D.?

    I'm considering of getting a Ph.D. abroad, but I have a dependent (my mother) who needs someone to look after her. Are there schools that offer Ph. D. scholarship and would allow me to bring my mom? I asked everyone around and they say it would be really difficult, if not impossible. Thank you.
  18. T

    Calculating pH of Water After Adding HCl and NaOH

    Homework Statement What will the pH be by adding 1M HCL and 1M NaOH to pure water? Homework Equations pH= -log[H+] The Attempt at a Solution Well, If we form the reaction formula we get HCl + NaOH ---> H20 + NaCl This is a neutralizing reaction, so the net effect produces just water...
  19. C

    Understanding Changes in Tap Water pH Over Time

    Why does tap water ph rise or decline after it has been set aside for a period of time. I've heard that Co2 or chlorine 'gas off' and the result in loss if CO2 can raise ph?
  20. C

    Carbonate/bicarbonate buffering of ph

    I recently read an article that a buffer that increases alkalinity to achieve a desired ph has it's in preferred ph value. For example, sodium bicarbonate holds water at a ph of 8.4. The article also went on to state that buffers don't always raise ph they can lower it too. The article...
  21. C

    Temperature & PH: Does It Depend on Acid?

    Does temperature have an effect on the ph level? Does it depend on the type of acid? I'm just using water as an example. Thanks
  22. C

    Ph Scale Logarithms: Calculating Acidity Difference

    How do I work out how many times more acidic a ph value of 6.8 is compared to 8.6? For example.
  23. J

    Predict whether the following is neutral, basic, or acidic and the pH

    1. 0.250 M of NH4Br 2. Ka for NH4 = 5.52 x 10-10 and Kb for NH3 = 1.81 x 10-5 3. So I broke the salt down into its constituents and considering Br is neutral and NH4 is an acid, NH4Br is acidic. I am just confused with how to calculate the pH. I thought that I should do this...NH4 +...
  24. K

    Why can't pH of diprotic acids be calculated like that of amphiprotic?

    I was reading this website (http://www.chembuddy.com/?left=pH-calculation&right=pH-amphiprotic-salt) on calculating pH of amphiprotic salts. My question is why can't you do something similar for diprotic acids? Take for example the diprotic acid H2S. Because you have the following...
  25. Jason49

    Test River pH: Make an Indicator at Home

    I need to test the ph of river. I need a method of making an indicator that I can make at home. Please help !
  26. F

    PH of a polyprotic acid using multiple equilibria - is this correct?

    Homework Statement Find the pH of 0.02025 M tartaric acid using the method of multiple equilibria given that its Ka1 value is 9.2*10-4 and its Ka2 value is 4.31*10-5. Homework Equations Kaoverall = Ka1 * Ka2 The Attempt at a Solution Please check the Word document. Is my method...
  27. R

    Calculating amount of H2SO4 required to reduce pH

    Hi, I am looking for some guidance for calculating the amount of H2SO4 required to reduce the pH of a Reactor outlet stream from 8.7 to somewhere in the 1.5-2.0 region. The stream contains a number of components in varying amounts such as C8H8O2, NaOH, H2O, Na2HPO4, NaH2PO4, C8H12N2O3S and...
  28. Q

    PH dependence of reduction of oxygen

    Homework Statement Why is this true? Why is it that the reduction of oxygen is more favored in acidic solution rather than in basic solution? Homework Equations Acids are proton donors. The Attempt at a Solution Does this have anything to do with the fact that the...
  29. Y

    Reading pH: Is There A More Precise Way to Measure Volume?

    For b), do I really need to look at the graph to get the volume of HCl poured? Is there not a more precise way?
  30. A

    Quick pH calculation - Please verify

    Quick pH calculation -- Please verify A 50.0 mL aqueous solution of sodium hydroxide has a pH of 12.50. If 36.00 ml of 0.0200 mol/L sulfuric acid is added to this sodium hydroxide solution, what will be the new pH of the resulting solution? Assume that the temperature stays constant at 25C, and...
  31. Y

    Electrochemistry pH in solution cell

    Hello Forum :), Please find attached my problem. The solutions is also there. BUT, I do not understand why my teacher does not simply assume pH=0. It seems as though we are using the standard hydrogen electrode (ie 1M H+ in solution!).
  32. QuantumCurt

    Calculating pH in an acid-base reaction

    Homework Statement Calculate the pH of a solution containing 5.0 g of NaHCo_3 (molar mass = 84.0 g) in 250. mL of H20. NaHCO_3 is amphiprotic. k_a= 4.7x10^{-11}, k_b=2.3x10^{-8} This is for a General Chemistry II class, for the record. The Attempt at a Solution I started...
  33. Q

    What is the correct pH in a reaction between hydrogen sulfate ion and ammonia?

    Homework Statement http://i.minus.com/jfUXIXvQJw8hw.png Homework Equations Ka of hydrogen sulfate ion will be taken as 1.2x10-2. Ka of ammonium ion will be taken as 5.6x10-10 Kb of ammonia will be taken as 1.8x10-5 Kb of sulfate ion will be taken as something very tiny (Kw/Ka of...
  34. Ritzycat

    Find pH of Solution After Mixing HCl & NH4OH

    Homework Statement 20.0 mL of .200 M hydrochloric acid are mixed with 20.0 mL of .300M ammonium hydroxide. What is the pH? Also says that if ammonium hydroxide is in excess it immediately breaks down into ammonia and water. The Attempt at a Solution I know the NH4OH is in excess, there...
  35. D

    Calculating pH of Buffered Solutions: Do You Need a Ka/Kb Value?

    Hello, So as the end of the year comes to an end, AP Chemistry is getting increasingly more difficult to the point where I don't understand anymore. In our homework there is a questions asking to calculate the pH of a buffered solution. The only information it gives you is the chemical formula...
  36. M

    Heat treatment of 17-4 PH Stainless - Effect on Impact Loading

    I am designing a surgical instrument which will be impacted many times over its life cycle. We are trying to determine the best heat treating option for the steel (17-4 precipitation hardened) so that we maximize its usable life. Typically, we heat treat 17-4 to H900. However, I'm not sure...
  37. J

    What can a PH meter tell you about the quality of fluid

    What can a PH meter tell you about the quality of fluid it is measuring?
  38. R

    Finding amount of NaN02 needed to raise the a solution's pH to 5

    What amount of sodium Nitrate must be added to 500 ml of .200 M solution of HN02. Ka=4.0^-4 Ka=(H+)(A-) -------- (HA) Ph of 5 = 1.0^-5 (H+) so, (1.0^-5)(x) ---------- = 4.0^-4 , however X turns out to be way too big...
  39. S

    Calculating the pH of CO2 dissolved in 1l of water

    OK folks, first of all, let me thank those of you who have helped me with previous questions... perhaps this is why I keep coming back! This time, I'm just asking those of you who are better than I am at this if I did this right and thus, got the correct result. I think I did, but since...
  40. S

    How is a PH of a solution determined?

    Hello everyone, I'm really confused. Here is a equation CO2 + H20 <----> H2CO3 <-----> H+ + HCO3- * Now if I increase carbon dioxide I know both both Hydrogen and bicarbonate acid increases 1. Why does this make it more acidic. The thing is what I'm thinking is if a solution...
  41. N

    Confirming structure of aspartic acid at PH 4

    Homework Statement Draw the structure of aspartic acid at PH 4. I calculated the PI and based on that, drew the charged structure. If anyone can confirm that this is the correct structure. Homework Equations The Attempt at a Solution I attached the structure. Thanks for any assistance.
  42. Q

    Chemistry Find pH of 0.20 M Iron (III) Sulfate

    Homework Statement Find the pH of 0.20 M Iron (III) sulfate. Homework Equations The metal ion becomes hydrated (water is a ligand) and forms iron hexahydrate. The sulfate ion is a weak base. The Attempt at a Solution Now, in considering the pH of this solution, should I consider the...
  43. K

    What is the pH when 200 mL 0.1 M NaOH is mixed with 300 mL water?

    What is the pH when 200 mL 0.1 M NaOH is mixed with 300 mL water? I am stuck here. I know V1C1 = V2C2 but I need help at this point. I don't know how NaOH reacts with water, and how this would affect the pH of the final solution. I also don't know whether or not I should use the...
  44. B

    Understanding the Conversion Between Miles Per Hour and Kilometers Per Hour

    So I was thinking the other day why is kmph appear bigger than mph in conversions. I thought sense km was a bigger number it would be smaller because converting mi to KM u would reach .6 of a mile. Anyways I then I realized per hour is the rate at which it takes to travel that distant. So if i...
  45. Q

    PH of mixture; dilute solution

    Homework Statement You mix the below two solutions. What is the resulting pH? 200 mL solution with H_{3}O^{+} = 1 * 10^{-4} 100 mL solution with H_{3}O^{+} = 2 * 10^{-11} Homework Equations pH = -log[H_{3}O^{+}] N_{H_{3}O^{+}} = M * L The Attempt at a Solution I first found the number...
  46. A

    PH for this Weak Acid-Strong Base titration.

    \:Homework Statement What is the pH when 10 ml of 0.1 M NaOH is added to 25 ml of 0.1 M H_{}C_{2}H_{3}O_{2}? Homework Equations pH = -log[H_{3}O] The Attempt at a Solution The main thing confusing me about this type of problem is that my teacher taught me a way which is different from the...
  47. Q

    Calculating pH of Mixture of 0.1 M Na2S and 0.05 M HCl

    Homework Statement Consider mixing a 100 mL solution of 0.1 M sodium sulfide with a 200 mL solution of 0.05 M hydrochloric acid. What is the pH of the resulting solution? Homework Equations Moles of solute = molarity of solvent * volume of solvent The Attempt at a Solution...
  48. J

    PChem: Calculating pH with Na2HPO4 and NaH2PO4*7H2O

    Homework Statement 8.9985 g of Na2HPO4 and 4.0211 g of NaH2PO4 * 7 H2O are added to 1 L of 0.20 M KCl in water. KCl does not participate in any way but to maintain ionic strength, at 0.20 M. H3PO4 (aq) + H2O → H2PO4- (aq) + H3O+, Ka1 = 7.11 x 10-3 Ka2 = 6.32 x 10-8 Ka3 = 7.1 x 10-13 (a)...
  49. C

    Acidity/Basicity of 2.75 g MgO + 70 mL 2.4 mol/L HNO3: Find pH

    Homework Statement 2.75 g of mgo(s) is added to 70.0 ml of 2.4 mol/l hno3(Aq) is the concentration that results from the solution acidic or basic? What is the concentration of the ion that is responsible for the character of the solution. What is the pH ? Homework Equations...
  50. Y

    How to create a buffered pH gradient?

    Hey! I've been working on this problem - I think it would be easy for a chemist to answer. If anyone can help me out, I'd appreciate it! Suppose I want to create a pH gradient from 3 to 9, in increments of 0.5: pH = (3, 3.5, 4, 4.5, 5, 5.5, 6, 6.5, 7, 7.5, 8, 8.5, 9) Each pH is in a different...
Back
Top