Question

If the ph of a 1.00-in. rainfall over 1600 miles2 is 3.60, how many kilograms of sulfuric acid, h2so4, are present, assuming that it is the only acid contributing to the ph? for sulfuric acid, ka1 is very large and ka2 is 0.012.

Answer 1

The solution for this problem would be:
H + ions from pH = 4.0 x 10^-4 moles.
But H2SO4 gives off 2 moles of H+ ions / mole.
Moles of H2SO4 = 2.0 x 10^-4
Mass = 2 x 10^-4 moles x 98 = 1.96 x 10^-3 grams
1.96 x 10^-3 grams / 10^3 = 1.96 x 10^-6 Kg.