Determining the Molar Concentration of a Nitric Acid Solution
Understanding the Relationship between pH and Molar Concentration
pH is a measure of how acidic or basic a solution is and is defined as the negative logarithm (base 10) of the concentration of hydrogen ions [H+] in the solution. The lower the pH value, the higher the concentration of hydrogen ions and the more acidic the solution.
Calculating Molar Concentration from pH
To determine the molar concentration of a nitric acid solution with a pH of 1.75, we can use the pH formula: pH = -log[H+]. By rearranging the formula, we can calculate the hydrogen ion concentration [H+]: [H+] = 10^-pH.
Calculation Steps
1. pH = 1.75
2. [H+] = 10^-1.75
3. [H+] ≈ 1.78 × 10^-2 M
Conclusion
The molar concentration of the nitric acid solution with a pH of 1.75 is approximately 1.78 × 10^-2 M. This value represents the concentration of hydrogen ions in the solution, indicating its acidic nature.