Strong Acid pH Formula:
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The pH calculation for strong acids is based on the complete dissociation of the acid in water. Strong acids completely ionize in aqueous solution, making the hydrogen ion concentration equal to the initial acid concentration.
The calculator uses the strong acid pH formula:
Where:
Explanation: For strong acids that completely dissociate, [H⁺] = C, therefore pH = -log C.
Details: pH calculation is essential for understanding acid-base chemistry, predicting chemical behavior, and applications in various fields including medicine, environmental science, and industrial processes.
Tips: Enter the acid concentration in mol/L. The value must be valid (concentration > 0).
Q1: What are examples of strong acids?
A: Hydrochloric acid (HCl), sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄), nitric acid (HNO₃), and perchloric acid (HClO₄) are common strong acids.
Q2: Why is this formula only for strong acids?
A: Strong acids completely dissociate, so [H⁺] equals the initial concentration. Weak acids only partially dissociate and require different calculations.
Q3: What is the pH range for strong acids?
A: Strong acids typically have pH values below 3, depending on concentration. A 0.1 M solution has pH = 1.0.
Q4: Are there limitations to this calculation?
A: This assumes ideal behavior and complete dissociation. For very concentrated solutions, activity coefficients may need to be considered.
Q5: How does temperature affect pH?
A: While the dissociation of strong acids is complete at all temperatures, the pH scale itself is temperature-dependent due to changes in water's autoionization constant.