the PH scale is used to measure the acidity or alkalinity of

the PH scale is used to measure the acidity or alkalinity of a solution. the scale ranges from 0 to 14. a neutral solution, such a pure water, has a pH of 7. an acid solution has a pH less than 7 and an alkaline solution has a pH greater than 7. the lower the PH below 7, the more acidic is the solution. each whole number decrease in pH represents a tenfold increase in acidity.

the pH of a solution given by pH = - log x where x represents the concentratiobn of the hydrogen ions in the solution, in moles per liter. express answers as powers of 10.

a. normal, unpolluted rain has a pH of about 5.7. What is the hydrogen ion concentration 
___ moles per liter (type your answer using exponential notation)

b. an environmental concern involves the destructive effects of acid rain. the most acidic rainfall ever had a pH of 2.2 What was the hydrogen ion concentration 
_____ moles per liter (type your answer using exponential notation)

c. how many times greater is the hydrogen ion concentration of the acidic rainfall in part (b) than the normal rainfall in part (a) 
____ times greater (type your answer using exponential notation)

Solution

Solution:

a)

As we know;

pH = -log x

=> 5.7 = -log x

=> log x = -5.7

=> x = 10^-5.7 moles/litre

b)

similarly:

pH = -log x

=> 2.2 = -log x

=> log x = -2.2

=> x = 10^-2.2 moles/litre

c)

ratio of the multiplicity of acidic rainfall:

R = 10^-2.2 / 10^-5.7

=> R = 10^-3.5 Times