Multiple Choice
Which of the following accurately describes the pH scale?
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17. Acid and Base Equilibrium
The pH Scale
Multiple Choice
According to the pH scale, which of the following solutions is considered neutral?
A
A solution with pH = 2
B
A solution with pH = 7
C
A solution with pH = 10
D
A solution with pH = 5
Verified step by step guidance1
Recall that the pH scale measures the acidity or basicity of a solution, where pH is defined as \(\mathrm{pH} = -\log[\mathrm{H}^+]\), with \([\mathrm{H}^+]\) being the concentration of hydrogen ions.
Understand that a neutral solution is one where the concentration of hydrogen ions equals the concentration of hydroxide ions, which occurs at 25°C when \([\mathrm{H}^+] = 1 \times 10^{-7} \; \mathrm{M}\).
Recognize that this neutral condition corresponds to a pH value of 7, because \(\mathrm{pH} = -\log(1 \times 10^{-7}) = 7\).
Compare the given pH values: pH = 2 (acidic), pH = 5 (acidic), pH = 7 (neutral), and pH = 10 (basic).
Conclude that the solution with pH = 7 is considered neutral according to the pH scale.
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