Definition of pH, pOH, "p", sample calculations

General

The acid potential of aqueous solutions is measured in terms of the pH scale. The symbol "p" means take the negative logarithm of whatever follows in the formula. for pH, pOH, p[anything] . The pH scale is intended to be a convenience. Tremendous swings in hydrogen ion (hydronium ion) concentration occur in water when acids or bases are mixed with water. These changes can be as big as 1 x 1014, This means concentrations can change by multiples as big as one hundred trillion, 100,000,000,000,000.

The pH scale is a logarithmic scale. Every multiple of ten in H1+ concentration equals one unit on the logarithm scale. Physically the pH is intended to tell what the acid "potential" is for a solution.

In a sense the system is INVERTED so a low pH value indicates a great acid potential while a high pH indicates a low acid potential. ( Sad but true this is upside down and counter intuitive.) The pH values range from negative values to number above 14. Commonly the scale is often misrepresented as ranging from 0 to 14. We will see that negative values are possible.

 

Definition of pH, pOH, pKw, pKa, pKb

The p" factor" is defined as the log of the whatever quantity that follows the symbol. The "p" is an operator. It communicates the instruction to calculate the negative log of any quantity that follows the symbol. The definition of pH in equation form is

pH = -log[H1+] where [H1+] means the molar concentration of hydronium ions, M = moles / liter

This allows the definition of the following series of quantities.

pOH = -log[OH-]

the negative log of the hydroxide ion molarity

pKw = -log Kw

the negative log of the water ion product , Kw

pKa = -log Ka

the negative log of the acid dissociation constant, Ka

pKb = -log Kb

the negative log of the base dissociation constant, Kb

The relationship pH + pOH = 14

In a water solution the ion product for water is:

[H+] [OH-] = Kw = 1 X 10-14

Take the -log of both sides of the equation

- log [H+] +(- log [OH- ]) = - log [1 X 10-14 ]

pH + pOH = 14

Calculations of pH

For strong acids like HCl the molar concentrations are essentially the hydronium ion concentration. These strong acids can produce solutions where the pH can be equal to or less than 1, the pH value would have a value from 0-14.

Example: Determination of pH from [H3O+]

What is the pH of a solution whose [H3O+] = 1 X 10-4 M

pH = -log[H3O+]

pH = - log[1 X 10-4]

pH = - [ log 1 + log 10-4 ]

Note: When you multiply numbers you always ADD their log forms

log 1 is always zero

log 10x = x

so log 10-4 = -4

pH = - [ log 1 + log 10-4 ] = - [ 0 + (-4) ] = - [-4 ] = +4

Example: Determination of pH from [H3O+] when coefficient is other than "1"

What is the pH of a solution whose [H3O+] = 2.5 X 10 -5 M

pH = -log[H3O+]

pH = - log[2.5 X 10 -5]

pH = - [ log 2.5 + log 10-5 ]

Note: When you multiply numbers you always ADD their log forms

log 10x = x

so log 10-5 = -5

log 2.5 can be determined using a calculator having the log function key:

Enter the number in this case 2.5

depress the log key

Read the display which should be .3979 for this problem

pH = - [.3979 - 5] = 4.6021 or +4.602

Alternately if you can enter a number in scientific notation into your calculator key in 2.5 X 10 -5

depress the log key

Read the display which should be -4.602 for this problem

Multiply by -1 to get + 4.602

Example: Determination of pH from [OH1- ] using defintion pOH and equation pH + pOH = 14

Calculate the pH of a solution that has a [OH1-] = 1 X 10-5 M

Determine pOH = -log[OH1- ] = -log [1 X 10-5 ] = 5

Use the relationship pH + pOH = 14

pH + 5 = 14

pH = 14 -5 = 9

 

   Online Introductory Chemistry
Dr. Walt Volland all rights reserved -1997-2005 revised April 12, 2005