Pure water has a hydrogen ion concentration of 1 * 10-7 M and a pH of 7. A student measures a basic solution and finds that it has a hydrogen ion (H+) concentration of 1 * 10-3. Explain why the student must have made an error in her measurement.

Question

Chemistry

Gianni Sharp

11 October, 11:19

Pure water has a hydrogen ion concentration of 1 * 10-7 M and a pH of 7. A student measures a basic solution and finds that it has a hydrogen ion (H+) concentration of 1 * 10-3. Explain why the student must have made an error in her measurement.

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Roman · Answer 1

The student must have made an error in her measurement in the concentration of hydrogen ion in the basic solution given. From her measurement, the concentration is 1 * 10-3 M. If we calculate the pH, we get:

pH = - log (1 * 10-3) = 3

A pH of 3 does not signifies a basic solution it is in the acidic range. So, the measurement is wrong.