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Ch.10 Acids and Bases and Equilibrium
Timberlake - Chemistry: An Introduction to General, Organic, and Biological Chemistry 14th Edition
Timberlake14th EditionChemistry: An Introduction to General, Organic, and Biological ChemistryISBN: 9781292472249Not the one you use?Change textbook
Chapter 10, Problem 94a

Solution X has a pH of 9.0, and solution Y has a pH of 7.0.
a. Which solution is more acidic?

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Understand the pH scale: The pH scale ranges from 0 to 14, where a pH less than 7 indicates an acidic solution, a pH of 7 is neutral, and a pH greater than 7 indicates a basic (alkaline) solution.
Compare the pH values of the two solutions: Solution X has a pH of 9.0, which is greater than 7, making it basic. Solution Y has a pH of 7.0, which is neutral.
Recall that acidity increases as the pH decreases. A lower pH corresponds to a higher concentration of hydrogen ions \( [H^+] \).
Since solution Y has a lower pH (7.0) compared to solution X (9.0), solution Y is closer to the acidic range of the pH scale.
Conclude that solution Y is more acidic than solution X because it has a lower pH value.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

pH Scale

The pH scale measures the acidity or alkalinity of a solution, ranging from 0 to 14. A pH of 7 is considered neutral, values below 7 indicate acidity, and values above 7 indicate alkalinity. Thus, the lower the pH value, the more acidic the solution.
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Acidic vs. Alkaline Solutions

Acidic solutions have a higher concentration of hydrogen ions (H+) compared to hydroxide ions (OH-), leading to a pH below 7. Conversely, alkaline solutions have more hydroxide ions, resulting in a pH above 7. Understanding this distinction is crucial for determining the relative acidity of solutions.
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Comparative pH Analysis

To compare the acidity of two solutions, one can directly assess their pH values. In this case, solution X with a pH of 9.0 is alkaline, while solution Y with a pH of 7.0 is neutral. Therefore, solution Y is more acidic than solution X, as it is closer to the acidic end of the pH scale.
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