Determine the concentration of hydronium and hydroxide ions in a solution that has a pH of 1.6.

The answer to your question is [H₃O⁺] = 0.025 [OH⁻] = 3.98 x 10⁻¹³

Explanation:

Data

[H⁺] = ?

[OH⁻] = ?

pH = 1.6

Process

Use the pH formula to calculate the [H₃O⁺], then calculate the pOH and with this value, calculate the [OH⁻].

pH formula

pH = - log[H₃O⁺]

-Substitution

1.6 = - log[H₃O⁺]

-Simplification

[H₃O⁺] = antilog (-1,6)

-Result

[H₃O⁺] = 0.025

-Calculate the pOH

pOH = 14 - pH

-Substitution

pOH = 14 - 1.6

-Result

pOH = 12.4

-Calculate the [OH⁻]

12.4 = - log[OH⁻]

-Simplification

[OH⁻] = antilog (-12.4)

-Result

[OH⁻] = 3.98 x 10⁻¹³