Which of the following correctly defines the pH of a solution? A. The negative logarithm (base 10) of the concentration of hydroxide ions. B. The negative logarithm (base 10) of the concentration of hydrogen ions. C. The logarithm (base 10) of the concentration of hydrogen ions. D. The logarithm (base 10) of the concentration of hydroxide ions.

Step-by-step solution

1. Recall that pH measures the acidity of a solution.
2. The definition is $\text{pH}=-{\log }_{10}[{\text{H}}^{+}]$, where $[{\text{H}}^{+}]$ is the molar concentration of hydrogen ions.
3. Therefore the correct statement is option B.

Concept tested: Definition of pH

Related questions

• 1 Calculate the pH of a 0.01\,M solution of hydrochloric acid (HCl). Give your answer correct to two decimal places.
• 2 When 5.0 g of hydrogen gas reacts with excess oxygen at 25°C, how many grams of water are formed? (Molar mass H_2 = 2\,g mol^-1, O_2 = 32\,g mol^-1, H_2O = 18\,g mol^-1)
• 3 State the type of chemical reaction when zinc metal reacts with hydrochloric acid to produce hydrogen gas.
• 4 A 2.00 L bottle contains oxygen gas at STP. It is used to completely combust methane according to the reaction CH_4 + 2O_2 → CO_2 + 2H_2O. Assuming complete consumption of the oxygen, calculate (a) the volume of methane required, (b) the volume of carbon dioxide produced, both at STP. (Take 1\,mol gas = 22.4\,L at STP.)
• 5 Which of the following is the correctly balanced equation for the reaction of magnesium with oxygen to form magnesium oxide?
• 6 A rectangular bar of an unknown metal has length 40.0 cm, breadth 2.0 cm, height 1.5 cm and mass 540 g. Calculate its density and comment whether the metal could be copper (density = 8.96 g/cm³).