Question
The pH of c solution is higher if the concentration of hydroxide ions is __ what?
Answer
4.1
(222 Votes)
Xylona
Master · Tutor for 5 years
Answer
higher
Explanation
The pH of a solution measures its acidity or alkalinity. In particular, it measures the hydronium ion (H3O+) concentration in a solution. On the pH scale, a value of 7 is neutral, values less than 7 denote acidity, and values greater than 7 denote basicity or alkalinity. This is linked to the presence of hydroxide ions in a solution, as more of these make the solution more basic and therefore increase the pH.Hydroxide (
) is a base, so when it is in water, it will react to form a typical Arrhenius base reaction, producing water and a hydrogen ion (
):
So, as the -OH (hydroxide ion) concentration increases, the water acts as an acid donating H+ as a proton and reducing the amount of H+ present, which by decreasing the H+ ions increases the pH.Therefore, the pH of a solution is higher if the concentration of hydroxide ions is higher.