What classification does an aqueous solution with a hydrogen ion concentration of 1.0 x 10^-6 M have?

What classification does an aqueous solution with a hydrogen ion concentration of 1.0 x 10^-6 M have?

• A. A strong acid.
• B. B weak acid.
• C. C strong base.
• D. D weak base.

Answer: (B)

An aqueous solution with a hydrogen ion concentration of 1.0 x 10^-6 M corresponds to a pH of approximately 6, as pH is calculated using the formula pH = -log[H+]. A pH of 7 is considered neutral (pure water at 25°C), values less than 7 indicate acidic solutions, and values greater than 7 indicate basic solutions. A concentration of 1.0 x 10^-6 M is slightly acidic but still relatively close to neutral. This indicates that the solution is exhibiting qualities of a weak acid. Weak acids do not completely dissociate in solution, which aligns with a low concentration of hydrogen ions compared to a strong acid that would have a much higher concentration of hydrogen ions resulting from full dissociation. This reasoning helps affirm that the classification of the solution as a weak acid is appropriate due to its concentration and resulting pH level.

An aqueous solution with a hydrogen ion concentration of 1.0 x 10^-6 M corresponds to a pH of approximately 6, as pH is calculated using the formula pH = -log[H+]. A pH of 7 is considered neutral (pure water at 25°C), values less than 7 indicate acidic solutions, and values greater than 7 indicate basic solutions.

A concentration of 1.0 x 10^-6 M is slightly acidic but still relatively close to neutral. This indicates that the solution is exhibiting qualities of a weak acid. Weak acids do not completely dissociate in solution, which aligns with a low concentration of hydrogen ions compared to a strong acid that would have a much higher concentration of hydrogen ions resulting from full dissociation.

This reasoning helps affirm that the classification of the solution as a weak acid is appropriate due to its concentration and resulting pH level.