Question

Evaluate the ratio [H+] = (pH 3) / [H+] = (pH 7)

a. 0.429
b. 0.0001
c. 0.001
d. 10,000

Answer 1

The ratio of hydrogen ion concentration for pH 3 to pH 7 is calculated using the formula [H+] = 10^-pH. The ratio is found to be 10,000, which corresponds to answer choice d.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question asks to evaluate the ratio of hydrogen ion concentration at two different pH levels: pH 3 and pH 7. To find this ratio, first, we must convert the given pH values back to the concentrations of hydrogen ions (H+), recalling that the pH is the negative logarithm of the hydrogen ion concentration.

The formula for pH is given by pH = -log[H+], and so to reverse this, we use [H+] = 10-pH.

• For pH 3, [H+] = 10-3 = 0.001 M.
• For pH 7, [H+] = 10-7 = 0.0000001 M.

Now to find the ratio [H+] at pH 3 to [H+] at pH 7, we divide the two concentrations:

Ratio = [H+] at pH 3 / [H+] at pH 7 = 0.001 / 0.0000001 = 10,000.

Therefore, the correct answer is d. 10,000.