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The pH of c solution is higher if the concentration of hydroxide ions is __ what?

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The pH of c solution is higher if the concentration of hydroxide ions is __ what?

The pH of c solution is higher if the concentration of hydroxide ions is __ what?

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XylonaMaster · Tutor for 5 years

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higher

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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.<br /><br />Hydroxide (\( \mathrm{OH^-} \)) 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 (\( \mathrm{H^+} \)): <br />\[ \mathrm{OH^-} (aq) + \mathrm{H_2O} (l) -> \mathrm{H_2O} (l) + \mathrm{OH^-} (aq) \]<br /><br />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.<br /><br />Therefore, the pH of a solution is higher if the concentration of hydroxide ions is higher.
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