Acidic
Definition
Acidic describes a substance with a pH less than 7, indicating a higher concentration of hydrogen ions (H+). It is the opposite of basic or alkaline.
5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test
- An acidic solution has a pH value between 0 and 7, with lower values being more acidic.
- Common examples of acidic substances include lemon juice, vinegar, and stomach acid.
- The strength of an acid is determined by its ability to donate hydrogen ions (H+) in an aqueous solution.
- Strong acids fully dissociate in water, while weak acids only partially dissociate.
- The formula for calculating pH is $\text{pH} = -\log[H^+]$, where $[H^+]$ represents the molar concentration of hydrogen ions.
Review Questions
- What pH range characterizes an acidic solution?
- How does the concentration of hydrogen ions (H+) relate to the acidity of a substance?
- What distinguishes strong acids from weak acids in terms of dissociation?
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Related terms
Basic: Describes a substance with a pH greater than 7, indicating a lower concentration of hydrogen ions and higher concentration of hydroxide ions (OH-).
pOH: A measure related to the concentration of hydroxide ions (OH-) in a solution, calculated as $\text{pOH} = -\log[OH^-]$.
$K_a$: $K_a$, or acid dissociation constant, quantifies the strength of an acid in solution by measuring its tendency to donate protons.
