Question

What `["OH"^(-)]` and `"pOH"` give a basic solution?

Answer 1

A low `["OH"^"-"]` and a high `"pOH"` best state the basicity of a solution.

Explanation:

Low `["OH"^"-"]`

Let's say that `["OH"^"-"] = 10^"-10"color(white)(l) "mol/L"` (low `["OH"^"-"]`.

Then

`"pOH" = -log["OH"^"-"] = -log10^"-10" = 10`

Thus, a low `["OH"^"-"]` means a high `"pOH"`.

High `["OH"^"-"]`

Let's say that `["OH"^"-"] = 10color(white)(l) "mol/L"` (high `["OH"^"-"])`.

Then

`"pOH" = -log["OH"^"-"] = -log10^"10" = 1`

Thus, a high `["OH"^"-"]` means a low `"pOH"`.