Question

Calculate the hydroxyl ion concentrationin 0.02M solution of H2SO4​

Answer 1

In a given solution, the concentration of hydrogen ions and hydroxide ions are related to each other by the following expression:

pH + pOH = 14

where, pH = - log[H+] and pOH = - log [OH-]

In this case, the concentration of sulfuric acid is given as 2.1 x 10^-4 M. Since each molecule of sulfuric acid (H2SO4) contains 2 atoms of hydrogen, the concentration of hydrogen ions in this solution is twice that of sulfuric acid. That is,

Concentration of H+ ions = 2 x 2.1 x 10^-4

= 4.2 x 10^-4 M

This means, pH = -log (4.2 x 10^-4) = 3.38

Since pH + pOH = 14

pOH = 14 - 3.38 = 10.62

This means, 10.62 = -log [OH-]

Solving the equation, we get [OH-] = 2.4 x 10^-11 M.

Hope this helps.