Calculate the pH of a 0.025 M solution of nitric acid. - Leaving Cert Chemistry - Question (i) - 2009

To calculate the pH of the solution, we first recognize that nitric acid (HNO₃) is a strong acid and completely dissociates in water. The concentration of H⁺ ions in a 0.025 M HNO₃ solution is also 0.025 M.

Using the formula for pH: $\text{pH} = -\log[\text{H}^+]$

where [H⁺] is the concentration of hydrogen ions. Substituting the value:

$\text{pH} = -\log(0.025)$

Using a calculator, we find that:

$\text{pH} \approx 1.6$

Thus, the pH of the 0.025 M nitric acid solution is approximately 1.6.