How to Find the Concentration of a Solution With Ph

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In everyday life, pH is a scale generally used to describe the neutrality, or lack of neutrality, in a household item. In science, pH is a measure of ions within a solution. If you're taking a science or chemistry class, you may need to know how to calculate pH based off concentration instead. Calculate pH by using the pH equation: pH = -log₁₀[H₃O⁺].

1. 1

   Know what pH actually is. The pH is a measure of the concentration of hydrogen ions in a solution.^[1] A solution with a high concentration of hydrogen ions is acidic. A solution with a low amount of hydrogen ions is basic, or also known as alkaline. Hydrogen ions, also known as hydronium, are written shorthand as H⁺ or H₃O⁺.

   • Know the pH scale. The pH scale is usually presented from 0 to 14. The lower the number, the more acidic the solution. The higher the number, the more basic the solution. For example, orange juice would have a pH of 2 because it is quite acidic. In contrast, bleach has a pH of 12 as it is quite basic. Numbers in the middle of the scale are neutral, such as water, with a pH of 7.
   • One level of pH is a 10x difference. For example, when comparing pH 7 to pH 6, pH 6 is ten times more acidic than pH 7. Furthermore, pH 6 would be 100 times more acidic than pH 8.

2. 2

   Define pH in an equation. The pH scale is calculated by a negative logarithm. A negative logarithm of base b is simply how many times a number must be divided by b to reach 1.^[2] The pH equation can be seen as follows: pH = -log₁₀[H₃O⁺].

   • The equation can sometimes be seen as pH = -log₁₀[H⁺]. Know that whether the equation has H₃O⁺ or H⁺, they are the same.
   • It is not vital to have a firm understanding of what a negative log is to calculate pH. Most calculators used at high school and post secondary level will have a log button.

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3. 3

   Understand concentration. Concentration is the number of particles of a compound in a solution relative to the volume of the same solution.^[3] For pH, you have to use molar concentration for the formula to work out. Molar concentration, which is also called molarity, denotes the number of moles of dissolved compound per liter of solution. Its units are moles per liter (mol/L), also called molar (M). If you're using a solution in a lab, the concentration will be written on the bottle. When working on your chemistry homework, the concentration will usually be given to you.

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1. 1

   Remember the pH equation. The pH equation is as follows: pH = -log₁₀[H₃O⁺].^[4] Ensure you know what all terms in the equation represent. Look at which term is used for concentration.

   • In chemistry, square brackets usually indicate "concentration of". So the equation of pH would be read as "pH equals the negative logarithm of the concentration of hydronium ions".

2. 2

   Identify the actual concentration. Read over your chemistry question. Identify the concentration of the acid or base. Write down the entire equation on paper with the known values represented in the equation.^[5] Always include units to avoid confusion.

   • For example, if the concentration is 1.05 x 10^-5 M, write the pH equation as: pH = -log₁₀(1.05 x 10^-5 M)

3. 3

   Solve the equation. When solving the pH equation, you must use a scientific calculator. First, hit the "negative" button. It is usually written as "+/-". Now key in the "log" button. Your screen should display "-log".^[6] Now hit an open bracket and enter in your concentration. Don't forget to add exponents when necessary.^[7] Follow with a closed bracket.^[8] At this point, you should see "-log(1.05x10^-5). Hit solve. Your pH should be approximately 4.98.

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1. 1

   Identify the known unknowns. First write out the pH equation. Next, identify the values you have by writing them directly below your equation. For example, if you know the pH is a value of 10.1, write it on the paper below the pH equation.

2. 2

   Rearrange the equation. Rearranging the equation will require a strong understanding of algebra. To calculate concentration from pH, you must understand that the inverse of log₁₀ is "10 to the power of ..." Start by shifting the minus sign over from the log side to the pH side. Then raise 10 to the power of (each side). "10 to the power of" and log₁₀ are inverses of each other and cancels out.

   • For example, pH = -log₁₀[H₃O⁺] will mold into [H₃O⁺] = 10^-pH. pH can then be filled in as 10.1

3. 3

   Solve the equation. When working with inverse log, the calculator process is unique. Remember that log is a type of multiplication by 10. To enter your equation, key in 10. Next, hit the "EXP" exponent button. Key in the negative sign followed by the value. Hit solve.

   • For example, take a pH value of 10.1. Key in "10" followed by "EXP." Now key in "-/+" to have our value be negative. Finally, key in the pH of "10.1". Hit solve. You should get about 7.943ᴇ-11, or 7.943*10^-11. This means our concentration is 7.943*10^-11 M.

4. 4

   Think about your answer. A neutral pH of 7 equates to a hydronium ion concentration of 10^-7 M. A solution with a pH of 10.1 is basic, so it will have less hydronium ions than that. If we look at our answer, 7.943*10^-11, we do indeed see that this number is way smaller than 10^-7, so our answer does make sense.

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Add New Question

• Question

  What are some natural indicators?

  

  Dr. Chris Hasegawa was a Science Professor and the Dean at California State University Monterey Bay. Dr. Hasegawa specializes in teaching complex scientific concepts to students. He holds a BS in Biochemistry, a Master's in Education, and his teaching credential from The University of California, Davis. He earned his PhD in Curriculum and Instruction from The University of Oregon. Before becoming a professor, Dr. Hasegawa conducted biochemical research in Neuropharmacology at the National Institute of Health. He also taught physical and life sciences and served as a teacher and administrator at public schools in California, Oregon, and Arizona.

  

  Retired Science Professor & Dean

  Expert Answer

  Cabbage juice, celeries, and different kinds of flowers are all excellent, natural base indicators.

• Question

  What is the purpose of a titration lab?

  

  Dr. Chris Hasegawa was a Science Professor and the Dean at California State University Monterey Bay. Dr. Hasegawa specializes in teaching complex scientific concepts to students. He holds a BS in Biochemistry, a Master's in Education, and his teaching credential from The University of California, Davis. He earned his PhD in Curriculum and Instruction from The University of Oregon. Before becoming a professor, Dr. Hasegawa conducted biochemical research in Neuropharmacology at the National Institute of Health. He also taught physical and life sciences and served as a teacher and administrator at public schools in California, Oregon, and Arizona.

  

  Retired Science Professor & Dean

  Expert Answer

  Titration labs let you titrate an unknown acid solution with a basic solution that you already know the pH and molarity of.

• Question

  What is the most accurate method of reading pH?

  

  Dr. Chris Hasegawa was a Science Professor and the Dean at California State University Monterey Bay. Dr. Hasegawa specializes in teaching complex scientific concepts to students. He holds a BS in Biochemistry, a Master's in Education, and his teaching credential from The University of California, Davis. He earned his PhD in Curriculum and Instruction from The University of Oregon. Before becoming a professor, Dr. Hasegawa conducted biochemical research in Neuropharmacology at the National Institute of Health. He also taught physical and life sciences and served as a teacher and administrator at public schools in California, Oregon, and Arizona.

  

  Retired Science Professor & Dean

  Expert Answer

  A pH meter is the most accurate options, but most people don't have those lying around at home. pH papers and other indicators can work, too.

• Question

  How can I calculate the pH of a substance after dilution?

  

  You have to apply a formula for molarity where molarity =n/l You also need to apply the formula for dilution in order to find the concentration of the unknown substance.

• Question

  Is Litmus added to hydrochloric acid?

  

  It can be added, yes, but will only be if the pH is needed. It is not added by default.

• Question

  How do I find the pH of a compound without having an actual concentration of acid and base?

  

  pH, by definition, is a measure of the acidity or alkalinity of a solution. More specifically, it measures concentration of hydrogen ions. You cannot measure the pH of an undissolved compound.

• Question

  How do I take out log without a calculator?

  

  Use a log table. Log tables give you the value of log(x), with x being between 0 and 10. For example, take pH = -log(1.05*10^-5). 1.05*10^-5 is not between 0 and 10, but you can manipulate the expression so that you can use the log table. Using the product rule for logs, log(1.05*10^-5)=log(1.05)+log(10^-5). The first part, you can look up in the log table; it evaluates to 0.021. Using the exponents rule for logs, log (10^-5)= -5*log(10) = -5. Add these numbers, -5 and 0.021, to get -4.979. Remember that this is equal to log(1.05*10^-5), but pH is defined using the negative logarithm, so simply flip the sign of -4.979 to get a pH of 4.979.

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• If calculating pH seems difficult to you, there are many sources available. Use your textbook and reach out to your teacher for further help.

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Article SummaryX

To calculate pH, remember that the pH scale goes from 0 to 14 with numbers below 7 being acidic and numbers above 7 being basic. If you are doing chemistry in a lab, you will need to determine the concentration by finding the moles per unit of volume (m/v or M). If you are doing a chemistry problem, look at the equation to identify the concentration. Then, use the formula pH = -log10[H3O+], where H equals Hydrogen ions, to find the pH. To learn how to use pH to calculate a concentration, keep reading!

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How to Find the Concentration of a Solution With Ph

Source: https://www.wikihow.com/Calculate-pH

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