In order to solve this question, we first need to know that the formula to calculate pH is:
pH = -log[H+]
Where [H+] is the hydrogen ion concentration in the solution. Given in the question is that the hydrogen ion concentration [H+] is 3.0 * 10^-5. Therefore, we substitute [H+] in the above formula with 3.0 * 10^-5.
We obtain pH = - log (3.0 * 10^^-5)
We can further simplify this by using the properties of logarithms. We can split it into two parts: logarithm of 3.0 and logarithm of 10^-5. Remember, when we split a logarithm of two multiplied numbers, we subtract the logarithms of each one of the numbers.
Hence, pH = - log(3.0) - log(10^-5)
We know that log base 10 of 10 raised to any power is that power.
So, log(10^-5) is -5.
Therefore, our equation now is pH = -log(3.0) + 5
The logarithm of 3.0 base 10 is approximately 0.477, and remember we are subtracting that.
So, our final pH is 5 - 0.477, which equals approximately 4.522,
The pH of our solution, therefore, is approximately 4.522, which is acidic. Remember the range of pH values is from 0 to 14, with 7 being neutral. Any value below 7 indicates an acidic solution and a value above 7 indicates a basic solution. Our calculated pH of 4.522 falls within the acidic range.