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Calculate The Ph of 1.0 X10 8 M Hcl

Reviewed by Calculator Editorial Team

The pH of a solution is a measure of its acidity or basicity. For the hydrochloric acid (HCl) solution with a concentration of 1.0 × 10⁻⁸ M, we can calculate its pH using the standard pH formula for strong acids.

What is pH?

The pH scale ranges from 0 to 14, where:

  • pH 0-6: Acidic solutions
  • pH 7: Neutral (pure water)
  • pH 8-14: Basic solutions

The pH is calculated using the negative logarithm (base 10) of the hydrogen ion concentration [H⁺]:

pH = -log₁₀[H⁺]

For strong acids like HCl, the concentration of H⁺ ions is equal to the concentration of the acid itself.

pH Calculation

To calculate the pH of a 1.0 × 10⁻⁸ M HCl solution:

  1. Identify the concentration of H⁺ ions: [H⁺] = 1.0 × 10⁻⁸ M
  2. Take the negative logarithm (base 10) of the concentration
  3. The result is the pH value
pH = -log₁₀(1.0 × 10⁻⁸ M) pH = -(-8) = 8

Therefore, the pH of a 1.0 × 10⁻⁸ M HCl solution is 8.

Example Calculation

Let's work through an example to demonstrate the calculation:

Example: Calculate the pH of a 5.0 × 10⁻⁵ M HCl solution.

Solution:

  1. [H⁺] = 5.0 × 10⁻⁵ M
  2. pH = -log₁₀(5.0 × 10⁻⁵)
  3. pH = -(-4.3010) ≈ 4.30

The pH of this solution is approximately 4.30.

Interpreting Results

A pH of 8 for the 1.0 × 10⁻⁸ M HCl solution indicates:

  • The solution is slightly basic (above neutral pH 7)
  • This is expected because HCl is a strong acid, and even at this low concentration, it dissociates completely to produce H⁺ ions
  • The pH value of 8 shows the solution is 100 times more basic than pure water (pH 7)

In practical terms, this means the solution would:

  • Feel slightly slippery or soapy to the touch
  • React with basic indicators to show blue or purple colors
  • Have minimal impact on most biological systems

FAQ

Why is the pH of 1.0 × 10⁻⁸ M HCl equal to 8?

The pH is calculated as the negative logarithm of the hydrogen ion concentration. For 1.0 × 10⁻⁸ M HCl, this gives pH = -log₁₀(1.0 × 10⁻⁸) = 8.

Is HCl a strong or weak acid?

Hydrochloric acid (HCl) is a strong acid, meaning it completely dissociates in water to produce H⁺ ions.

What does a pH of 8 mean in practical terms?

A pH of 8 indicates the solution is slightly basic. It would feel slightly slippery, react with basic indicators, and have minimal impact on most biological systems.