TEKS 10I: Define pH and use the hydrogen or hydroxide ion concentrations to calculate the pH of a

solution.

How is pH defined?
• The pH of a solution is the negative logarithm of the hydrogen-ion
concentration. The pH may be represented mathematically, using the
following equation:
pH = –log[H+]
In pure water or a neutral solution, [H+] = 1 × 10–7M, and the pH is 7.
pH = –log(1 × 10–7)
= –(log 1 × log 10–7)
= –(0.0 + (–7.0))
= 7.0
• If the [H+] of a solution is greater than 1 × 10–7M, the pH is less than 7.0.
If the [H+] of the solution is less than 1 × 10–7M, the pH is greater than
7.0.
 TEKS 10I: Define pH and use the hydrogen or hydroxide ion concentrations to calculate the pH of a
solution.

Sample problem: Calculating pH

What is the pH of a solution with
a hydrogen-ion concentration of
4.2 × 10–10M?

(contd.)
 TEKS 10I: Define pH and use the hydrogen or hydroxide ion concentrations to calculate the pH of a
solution.

Sample problem: Calculating pH

Calculate the pH of a solution
with a hydroxide concentration of
1.2 × 10–3M.
TEKS 10I: Define pH and use the hydrogen or hydroxide ion concentrations to calculate the pH of a
solution.
 TEKS 10I: Define pH and use the hydrogen or hydroxide ion concentrations to calculate the pH of a
solution.

How are [H+] and [OH–] related in an aqueous

solution?
• The reaction in which water molecules produce ions is
called the self-ionization of water. This reaction can be
written as a simple dissociation.
H2O(l) ⇄ H+(aq) + OH–(aq)
• The self-ionization of water occurs to a very small extent. In
pure water at 25°C, the concentration of hydrogen ions is
only 1 × 10–7M. The concentration of OH– is also 1 × 10–7M
because the numbers of H+ and OH– ions are equal in pure
water.
• Any aqueous solution in which [H+] and [OH–] are equal is
a neutral solution.
 TEKS 10I: Define pH and use the hydrogen or hydroxide ion concentrations to calculate the pH of a
solution.

• For aqueous solutions, the product of the hydrogen-ion

concentration and the hydroxide-ion concentration equals 1.0 
10–14.
[H+]  [OH–] = 1.0  10–14
• This equation is true for all dilute aqueous solutions at 25°C. The
product of the concentrations of the hydrogen ions and the
hydroxide ions in water is called the ion-product constant
for water (Kw).
Kw = [H+] × [OH–] = 1.0 × 10–14
• A solution in which [H+] is greater than [OH–] is an acidic
solution. In acidic solutions, the [H+] is greater than 1 × 10–7M.
• A basic solution is one in which [H+] is less than [OH–]. The [H+]
of a basic solution is less than 1 × 10–7M. Basic solutions are
also known as alkaline solutions.
 TEKS 10I: Define pH and use the hydrogen or hydroxide ion concentrations to calculate the pH of a
solution.

Kw = pH + pOH

Kw always equals 14

So..

pH + pOH = 14
You can use this equation to convert
between pH and pOH
 TEKS 10I: Define pH and use the hydrogen or hydroxide ion concentrations to calculate the pH of a
solution.

Sample problem: Calculating pH

Calculate the pH of a solution
with a pOH of 12.
 TEKS 10I: Define pH and use the hydrogen or hydroxide ion concentrations to calculate the pH of a
solution.

Sample problem: Calculating pH

Calculate the pOH of a solution
with a pH of 9.
 TEKS 10I: Define pH and use the hydrogen or hydroxide ion concentrations to calculate the pH of a
solution.

Sample problem: Calculating pH

Calculate the hydrogen ion
concentration of a solution with a
pH of 8.5.
 TEKS 10I: Define pH and use the hydrogen or hydroxide ion concentrations to calculate the pH of a
solution.

Sample problem: Calculating pH

Calculate the hydrogen ion
concentration of a solution with a
pOH of 13.5.