A 0.1 mol L⁻¹ solution of hydrochloric acid has a pH of 1.0, whereas a 0.1 mol L⁻¹ solution of citric acid has a pH of 1.6 - HSC - SSCE Chemistry - Question 20 - 2001 - Paper 1
Question 20
A 0.1 mol L⁻¹ solution of hydrochloric acid has a pH of 1.0, whereas a 0.1 mol L⁻¹ solution of citric acid has a pH of 1.6.
(a) State ONE way in which pH can be mea... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:A 0.1 mol L⁻¹ solution of hydrochloric acid has a pH of 1.0, whereas a 0.1 mol L⁻¹ solution of citric acid has a pH of 1.6 - HSC - SSCE Chemistry - Question 20 - 2001 - Paper 1
Step 1
State ONE way in which pH can be measured.
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Answer
One way to measure pH is by using a pH meter, which provides a digital reading of the hydrogen ion concentration in a solution.
Step 2
Explain why the two solutions have different pH values.
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Answer
The two solutions have different pH values due to the nature and strength of the acids involved. Hydrochloric acid (HCl) is a strong acid and dissociates completely in solution, generating a higher concentration of hydrogen ions (H⁺) and thus a lower pH. In contrast, citric acid is a weak acid that does not dissociate completely, resulting in fewer hydrogen ions in solution and a higher pH value. Additionally, factors such as the presence of buffering agents and the concentration of the acid can also affect the overall pH.