SAT II Chemistry : pH

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for SAT II Chemistry

varsity tutors app store varsity tutors android store

Example Questions

Example Question #1 : Reaction Types

A scientist makes a solution by adding 0.2 grams of \(\displaystyle NaOH\) to enough water so that the resulting solution has a volume of 10 liters. What, approximately, is the pH of this solution?

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 11\)

\(\displaystyle 3\)

\(\displaystyle 2\)

\(\displaystyle 10\)

\(\displaystyle 12\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 11\)

Explanation:

\(\displaystyle NaOH\) has a molar mass of approximately 40 g/mol, meaning that there is 0.01 mol of it in the solution. Sodium hydroxide is a strong base and completely dissociates in water. Its concentration in the solution is \(\displaystyle \frac{0.01}{10}=10^{-3}\) \(\displaystyle \frac{mol}{L}\). This means that the concentration of \(\displaystyle H^+\) ions is \(\displaystyle \frac{10^{-14}}{10^{-3}}=10^{-11}\) and \(\displaystyle -\log (10^{-11}) = 11\). Thus, the pH of the solution is 11.

Learning Tools by Varsity Tutors