What is the ph of 0.45 M of H_2SO_4?

1 Answer
Jun 23, 2016

pH=-log_10[H_3O^+] = -log_10[0.90] ~=0.05

Explanation:

Sulfuric acid is reasonably treated as a strong diprotic acid that gives stoichiometric [H_3O^+] and [SO_4^(2-)] on dissolution.

H_2SO_4(aq) + 2H_2O(l) rarr2H_3O^+ + SO_4^(2-)

Thus [H_3O^+]=2xx0.45*mol*L^-1 to a first approx.

And pH=-log_10[0.90]

For a better approximation, we need pKa_2 for bisulfate anion, HSO_4^-, though this is still pretty low.