Question

An acid is added to water, and a new equilibrium is established. What is the system after the acid is added? A. pH w = 1 x 10-14 B. pH w -14 C. pH > pOH and Kw = 1 x 10-14 D. pH > pOH and Kw > 1 x 10-14

Answer 1

Answer:

C. pH > pOH; Kw = 1.0 * 10^-14

Explanation:

The ion product of water, Kw = [H+]*[OH-] = 1.0 * 10^-14. It is a constant.

When an acid or base is added to water, its ion product does not change as it a constant. However, the relative concentrations of H+ ions and OH- ions will change depending on whether an acid or base is added to water.

When an acid is added to water, the concentration of H+ ions increases while that of OH- ions decreases, and vice versa.

Therefore, in the above situation where an acid is added to water, pH > pOH; Kw = 1.0 * 10^-14