Question

Assuming equal concentrations, rank these solutions by pH.

highest pH to lowest pH..

NaOH, HF, Ca(OH)2, NH3, HCL

Answer 1

General guidance

Concepts and reason

The strength of an acid is measured in terms of its ability to release ions in a solution. This is measured by calculating the acid dissociation constant () of the species in a given medium. The dissociation constant is measured for an equilibrium that exists between the undissociated acid and the dissociated acid. The concentrations of the reactants/products quantify the amount of the reactant/product. The dissociation constant\u2019s numerical value involves the exponential components. For the convenience of using a new quantity that effectively condenses this numerical form, is introduced. () takes the form of a simple numeral.

The pH is a measure of the strength of protons present in a given solution. \u2018p\u2019 stands for potenz that is, the strength.

Fundamentals

The equilibrium that achieved on its partial dissolution for an acidcould be written as follows:

The equilibrium constant for the above reaction forms the acid dissociation constant of the species. Hence, could be written as follows:

- The concentration of ions.

- The concentration of ions.

- The concentration of undissociated acid.

The equilibrium that achieved on its partial dissolution for base A could be written as follows:

The equilibrium constant for the above reaction forms the acid dissociation constant of the species. Hence could be written as follows:

- The concentration of ions.

- The concentration of ions.

- The concentration of undissociated acid.

Therefore, higher the value, lower would be the value, correspondingly, lower would be the acid strength.

Similarly, a higher informs a lower basic strength.

Similarly, the higher the pH, lower would be the strength of protons, lower would be the acidic nature.

A solution is termed acidic if its pH is less than.

A solution is termed basic if is greater than.

Step-by-step

Step 1 of 2

The acids are.

The bases are.

Explanation | Common mistakes | Hint for next step

is capable to release proton in their corresponding aqueous solutions while are capable to release hydroxyl ion in their corresponding aqueous solutions. is capable to accept protons that results in a relative excess of hydroxyl ions by effectively rendering the solution basic.

Step 2 of 2

The values for the acids are as follows:

Clearly, the aqueous solution of shall be more acidic than.

Hence, the pH values shall be in the order as shown below:

The values for the bases are as follows:

Clearly, is the most basic while is the least basic.

Therefore, pH values shall be in the order as shown below:

The pH of the acidic aqueous solutions is lower than the basic solutions. Hence, the pH values could be ranked as follows:

The pH values could be ranked as follows:

A lower indicates a larger (since). A smaller indicates a smaller numerator and a larger denominator, in accordance with the expression given below:

. A lower numerator indicates the relatively lower quantity of dissociated species, compared to the associated species. Therefore, a lower indicates a higher acid strength.

Similarly, a lower indicates a greater basic strength.

The acidic strength is directly proportional to the proton concentration while the basic strength is inversely proportional to it. Hence, the greater acidic strength manifests as a lower pH while a greater basic strength manifests as a greater pH.

Answer

The pH values could be ranked as follows:

Answer only

The pH values could be ranked as follows: