How do you calculate the pH of an acid?

1 Answer
Dec 28, 2016

In fact you measure the #pH# of an acid..........

Explanation:

#pH=-log_10[H_3O^+]#.

For strong acids, i.e. #HX (X=Cl, Br, I), HClO_4#, #H_2SO_4#, the following equilibrium lies strongly to the right.........

#HX(aq) + H_2O(l) rightleftharpoons H_3O^+ +X^-#

If, say, #0.1*mol*L^-1# monoacid is used, the solution is stoichiometric in #H_3O^+#.

#pH=-log_10(0.1)=-log_10(10^-1)=1#.