The pH of an aqueous solution is 4. a)The pOH of this solution _. b)[H^+] is _(scientific notation)=_(demical notation) c)[OH^-] is _ (scientific notation) d) Is this solution acidic or basic?

Expert Answers

| Certified Educator

pH and pOH are values derived from the concentration of either [H+] or [OH-] which generally describe the acidity or basicity of the solution. It is the -log of the concentration of H+ and OH- present in the solution. The sum of pH and pOH is equivalent to 14.

We can summarize the relationship as follows:

pH + pOH = 14

pH = -log [H+]

pOH = -log [OH-]

For pH = 4:

pOH = 14 - pH

pOH = 14 - 4

pOH = 10

pH = -log [H+]

4 = -log [H+]

[H+] = 10^(-4)

[H+] = 1.0x10^-4 = 0.0001

pOH = -log [OH-]

10 = -log [OH-]

[OH-] = 10^(-10)

[OH-] = 1.0x10^-10

pH > 7 basic

pH < 7 acidic

pH = 7 neutral

pH = 4 < 7 therefore the solution is acidic :)

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