pH Calculation Formula:
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pH calculation determines the acidity or basicity of an aqueous solution. For strong acids at 1.0 M concentration, pH is calculated using the negative logarithm of the hydrogen ion concentration.
The calculator uses the pH formula:
Where:
Explanation: For strong acids that completely dissociate, the hydrogen ion concentration equals the initial acid concentration.
Details: pH measurement is essential in chemistry, biology, environmental science, and many industrial processes. It helps determine chemical reactivity, biological activity, and environmental conditions.
Tips: Enter the concentration of the strong acid in mol/L. The concentration must be greater than 0. For 1.0 M strong acid, pH = -log(1.0) = 0.
Q1: Why is pH important in chemistry?
A: pH affects chemical reaction rates, solubility of compounds, and biological activity in aqueous environments.
Q2: What is the pH range?
A: pH ranges from 0 (very acidic) to 14 (very basic), with 7 being neutral at 25°C.
Q3: Does this calculation work for weak acids?
A: No, weak acids only partially dissociate, so their pH calculation requires knowledge of the acid dissociation constant (Ka).
Q4: What are common strong acids?
A: Hydrochloric acid (HCl), sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄), nitric acid (HNO₃), and perchloric acid (HClO₄) are common strong acids.
Q5: How does temperature affect pH?
A: Temperature affects the autoionization of water (Kw), which changes the pH scale. The neutral point becomes less than 7 at higher temperatures.