What is the pH of a 0.050 M NaOH solution?

1 Answer
Wilson T
Jan 16, 2017

The pH is about 12.7.

Explanation:

NaOH is a strong base, meaning it will dissociate basically completely in solution to form #Na^+# and #OH^-# ions in solution.

One mole of #OH^-# ions is created for every mole of NaOH that is dissolved. If it's a .05 M solution of NaOH, then it can also be interpreted to be a .05M solution of #OH^-#.

#pOH# (The pH scale for bases) can be found by taking the negative logarithm of #OH^-# concentration.

#pOH# = #-log[.05 M]# = 1.3.

However, we are trying to find #pH#, so we must use the formula
#pOH + pH = 14#.

Now that we know #pOH = 1.3#,
#pH = 14 - 1.3 = 12.7#.

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