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Ch.16 - Acid-Base Equilibria
Chapter 16, Problem 39

Complete the following table by calculating the missing entries and indicating whether the solution is acidic or basic.
Verified step by step guidance
1
Step 1: Identify the given information in the table, such as the concentration of hydrogen ions \([H^+]\) or hydroxide ions \([OH^-]\), and any pH or pOH values provided.
Step 2: Use the relationship \(pH + pOH = 14\) to find any missing pH or pOH values if one of them is provided.
Step 3: Calculate the concentration of hydrogen ions \([H^+]\) using the formula \([H^+] = 10^{-pH}\) if the pH is known, or calculate \([OH^-]\) using \([OH^-] = 10^{-pOH}\) if the pOH is known.
Step 4: Determine whether the solution is acidic or basic by comparing the pH value: if \(pH < 7\), the solution is acidic; if \(pH > 7\), the solution is basic.
Step 5: Fill in the missing entries in the table using the calculated values and indicate whether each solution is acidic or basic based on the pH.

Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

pH Scale

The pH scale measures the acidity or basicity of a solution, ranging from 0 to 14. A pH less than 7 indicates an acidic solution, while a pH greater than 7 indicates a basic solution. A pH of exactly 7 is considered neutral, which is the pH of pure water at 25°C. Understanding the pH scale is essential for determining the nature of the solutions in the table.
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Acids and Bases

Acids are substances that donate protons (H⁺ ions) in a solution, while bases accept protons. The strength of an acid or base is often determined by its dissociation in water; strong acids and bases dissociate completely, while weak acids and bases do so partially. Recognizing the properties of common acids and bases is crucial for identifying whether the solutions in the table are acidic or basic.
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Concentration and Dilution

The concentration of a solution refers to the amount of solute present in a given volume of solvent. Dilution involves adding more solvent to a solution, which decreases its concentration. Calculating the concentrations of the solutions in the table is necessary to determine their pH and classify them as acidic or basic, as the concentration of H⁺ ions directly influences the pH.
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