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pH Calculation Formula:
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pH calculation for strong acids involves determining the acidity of a solution based on the concentration of the strong acid. Strong acids completely dissociate in water, making the calculation straightforward using the formula pH = -log(C), where C is the molar concentration of the acid.
The calculator uses the pH formula for strong acids:
Where:
Explanation: For strong acids that completely dissociate, the hydrogen ion concentration [H⁺] equals the initial acid concentration. The pH is then calculated as the negative logarithm (base 10) of this concentration.
Details: Accurate pH calculation is essential for understanding solution acidity, chemical reactions, biological systems, and industrial processes. pH affects reaction rates, solubility, and biological activity.
Tips: Enter the strong acid concentration in mol/L. The value must be valid (concentration > 0). The calculator will compute the pH value using the logarithmic relationship.
Q1: Why does the formula use negative logarithm?
A: The negative logarithm converts the very small hydrogen ion concentrations into a more convenient scale between 0-14 for most aqueous solutions.
Q2: What is the pH range for acidic solutions?
A: Acidic solutions have pH values less than 7. The lower the pH value, the stronger the acidity of the solution.
Q3: Does this formula work for all acids?
A: No, this simplified formula only works for strong acids that completely dissociate. Weak acids require different calculations using acid dissociation constants.
Q4: What are common strong acids?
A: Common strong acids include hydrochloric acid (HCl), sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄), nitric acid (HNO₃), and perchloric acid (HClO₄).
Q5: How does temperature affect pH calculations?
A: While the basic pH calculation remains the same, the actual pH value can be temperature-dependent due to changes in water's autoionization constant (K_w).