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Multiple Choice
What is the Kw of pure water at 20.0°C, if the pH is 7.083?
A
8.26 × 10-8
B
6.82 × 10-15
C
7.23 × 10-14
D
1.00 × 10-14
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand that Kw is the ion product constant for water, which is the product of the concentrations of hydrogen ions [H⁺] and hydroxide ions [OH⁻] in water.
Recall that pH is defined as the negative logarithm (base 10) of the hydrogen ion concentration: \( \text{pH} = -\log[\text{H}^+] \).
Use the given pH value to find the concentration of hydrogen ions: \( [\text{H}^+] = 10^{-\text{pH}} \). Substitute the given pH of 7.083 into this formula.
Since pure water is neutral, the concentration of hydroxide ions [OH⁻] is equal to the concentration of hydrogen ions [H⁺]. Therefore, \( [\text{OH}^-] = [\text{H}^+] \).
Calculate Kw by multiplying the concentrations of hydrogen ions and hydroxide ions: \( K_w = [\text{H}^+][\text{OH}^-] \). Use the concentration found in step 3 for both [H⁺] and [OH⁻].