pH Values

Concentration
n When looking at the acidity or alkalinity of
a solution two types of ions are important:
n H+ ion
n OH- ion
 Acid
n Acids contain a greater number of H+ ions
than OH- ions
n The pH runs from 1 to 7
 Base
n Bases contain less H+ ions than OH- ions
n The pH runs from 7 to 14
 Neutral
n When the solution contains an equal
number of H+ ions and OH- ions the pH is
7 and considered neutral
 What is pH?
n Level of acidity and basicity is based on
the nature of the acid or base and its
concentration
n pH is expressed as the positive value of an
exponent in H+ ion concentration
 Concentration - Formula for H+
and OH-
n The following formula is used to find the
concentrations of H+ ions and OH- ions in
various solutions:
[H+] x [OH-] = 1 x 10-14 mol/L

n pH is expressed as the positive value of an

exponent in H+ ion concentration

n The Concentration of H+ ions for water is

always = 1.0 x 10-7 mol/L
 Steps for Finding the pH
n To find the pH we must know the concentration
of the H+ ions.
n Use the formula to find this:
n [H+] [OH-] = 1 x 10-14 mol/L
n [H+] (1 x 10-12) = 1 x 10-14
n [H+] = 1 x 10-2

n Change value into pH value by taking the

positive exponent of the H+ concentration:
n [H+] = 1 x 10-2 Gives us a pH of 2