pH Formula:
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The pH of a strong acid solution can be calculated using the formula pH = -log C, where C represents the concentration of the acid in moles per liter (mol/L). This formula applies to strong acids that completely dissociate in water.
The calculator uses the pH formula:
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 of this concentration.
Details: pH calculation is essential in chemistry, biology, environmental science, and many industrial processes. It helps determine the acidity or basicity of a solution, which affects chemical reactions, biological functions, and material stability.
Tips: Enter the acid concentration in mol/L. The value must be greater than 0. The calculator will compute the pH value, which is dimensionless.
Q1: Why does this formula only work for strong acids?
A: Strong acids completely dissociate in water, so [H⁺] equals the initial concentration. Weak acids only partially dissociate, requiring different calculations.
Q2: What are common strong acids?
A: Common strong acids include hydrochloric acid (HCl), sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄), nitric acid (HNO₃), and perchloric acid (HClO₄).
Q3: What is the pH range for acidic solutions?
A: Acidic solutions have pH values less than 7. The lower the pH, the stronger the acidity.
Q4: Can pH be negative?
A: Yes, for very high concentrations of strong acids (typically above 1M), pH values can be negative.
Q5: How accurate is this calculation?
A: This calculation provides a theoretical value. In practice, activity coefficients and other factors may affect the actual pH, especially at high concentrations.