pH, pOH and their implications

Potential of hydrogen
It is a measure of the relative
amount of free hydrogen ions
in solutions ; this determines
the levels of acidity or basicity.

The range goes from 0 - 14,

with 7 being neutral. Values
inferior to 7 indicate acidity,
whereas those superior to 7
indicate a base.

depends on +
Implications of pH

Biological processes: Digestion Ecology: Acid rain

Proteins are broken down at pH
2.0, whereas lipids at pH 8.0.
Ocean acidification

Soil acidification
 Measuring
pH values

pH indicator: A substance that changes

its colour due to specific pH values.

pH metre: An objective approach

of determining pH values.

pH strips: A subjective approach of

determining pH values.
Common pH indicators

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AIiQce07u2o
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6bGlqO0tYMs
Calculating pH

A neutral solution contains equal concentrations of + and ions.

An acidic solution contains a greater concentration of + than ions.
A basic solution contains a lesser concentration of + than ions.
 depends on +
+
=

The pH scale is a logarithmic scale that links + to pH values.

PROBLEM. Calculate the pH of vinegar if it has a + = 2.4 103
More on lovely calculations of pH
PROBLEM. Calculate the + of a cappuccino at pH 5.0.

= + + =
PROBLEM. Calculate the + of baking soda at pH 8.25.

PROBLEM. Calculate the of champagne at pOH 10.8.

= =
PROBLEM. What is the pH of the previous champagne sample?

+ =
More on lovely calculations of pH
PROBLEM. Calculate the pH, pOH, + and for a
solution of NaOH with a molarity of 0.000056 M.

pH pOH +

= + + =
= =
+ =
 Problems Part 1
EXERCISE 1. Classify as ACIDIC, BASIC or NEUTRAL solutions.
1. Blood pH 7.38 5. Fizzy drink pH 2.52
2. Vodka pOH 10.4 6. Shampoo pOH 8.3
3. Coffee pH 5.52 7. Laundry detergent pOH 4.56
4. Drain cleaner pOH 2.8 8. Rain pH 5.8
EXERCISE 2. Calculate the pH

1. H + = 1 104 M 3. OH = 1 1011 M
2. OH = 1 105 M 4. H + = 1 109 M
Problem 1. An ordinary household ammonia cleaner is an aqueous solution
of 3 with a OH concentration of 4.0 103 M. What its pOH and
pH.

Problem 2. What are H + and OH in a healthy persons blood that has

a pH of 7.40?
Neutralisation reactions
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BSntrz5gN7Y

It is a process in which an acid and a base react in aqueous solution to

produce a salt and water.
Double replacement reaction!

() + +
When magnesium hydroxide and hydrochloric acid react, the resulting
solution has properties characteristic of neither an acid nor a base.

A salt is an ionic compound

+ + made up of a cation from a base
and an anion from an acid.
 Problems Part 2
Write balanced formula equations for the following neutralisation reactions.

Nitric acid and caesium hydroxide

Hydrobromic acid and calcium hydroxide

Sulphuric acid and potassium hydroxide

Hydrochloric acid and ammonium hydroxide

Chlorous acid and potassium bicarbonate

Perchloric acid and calcium hydroxide