Can any substance has zero ph?

1 Answer
anor277
Nov 22, 2017

My word....we can even have negative #pH#....

Explanation:

By definition, #pH=-log_10[H_3O^+]#...

So I gots a strong acid, say #HBr(g)# or #HCl(g)#, room temperature gases, and I prepare a #1*mol*L^-1# solution in water.....and these you could do in an A-level lab.

We gots essentially quantitative reaction....

#HCl(g) + H_2O(l) rarr H_3O^+ + Cl^-#

And so #[H_3O^+]=1*mol*L^-1#...

And #pH=-log_10(1)=0#

Conc. #HCl(aq)# is approx. #10*mol*L^-1# with respect to #H_3O^+#. What is its #pH#?

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