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, defined as the negative logarithm of the hydronium ion concentration: pH = -log[H3O+]. A lower pH indicates a more acidic solution, while a higher pH indicates a more basic solution. The scale typically ranges from 0 to 14 at 25 °C, with 7 being neutral.
Recommended video:
pOH Scale
The pOH scale is similar to the pH scale but measures the concentration of hydroxide ions in a solution. It is defined as pOH = -log[OH-]. The relationship between pH and pOH is given by the equation pH + pOH = 14 at 25 °C, allowing for the calculation of one from the other.
Recommended video:
Ion Product of Water
The ion product of water (Kw) is the equilibrium constant for the self-ionization of water, defined as Kw = [H3O+][OH-] = 1.0 × 10^-14 at 25 °C. This relationship is crucial for calculating pH and pOH, as it allows for the determination of hydroxide ion concentration from the hydronium ion concentration and vice versa.
Recommended video:
Production of Hydrogen Example