CIE A Level Chemistry

Revision Notes

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First teaching 2020

Last exams 2024

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1.7.10 pH Scale

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The pH Scale

  • The pH scale is a numerical scale that shows how acidic or alkaline a solution is
  • The values on the pH scale go from 1-14 (extremely acidic substances have values of below 1)
  • All acids have pH values of below 7, all alkalis have pH values above 7
  • The lower the pH then the more acidic the solution is
  • The higher the pH then the more alkaline the solution is

The pH scale, IGCSE & GCSE Chemistry revision notes

The pH scale showing acidity, neutrality and alkalinity

pH of water

  • An equilibrium exists in water where few water molecules dissociate into proton and hydroxide ions

H2O(l) ⇌ H+(aq) + OH-(aq)

  • The equilibrium constant for this reaction is:

The pH Scale equation

Kc x [H2O] = [H+] [OH-]

  • Since the concentration the H+ and OH- ions is very small, the concentration of water is considered to be a constant, such that the expression can be rewritten as:

Kw = [H+] [OH-]

Where Kw (ionic product of water)      =         Kc x [H2O]

 =         10-14 mol2 dm-3 at 298K

  • Water at 298K has equal amounts of OH- and H+ ions with concentrations of 10-7 mol dm-3
  • To calculate the pH of water, the following formula should be used:

 Equilibria pH Formula, downloadable AS & A Level Chemistry revision notes

pH       = -log (10-7)

               = 7

  • Thus, water has a pH of 7

pH of acids

  • Acidic solutions (strong or weak) always have more H+ than OH- ions
  • Since the concentration of H+ is always greater than the concentration of OH- ions, [H+] is always greater than 10-7 mol dm-3
  • Using the pH formula, this means that the pH of acidic solutions is always below 7
  • The higher the [H+] of the acid, the lower the pH

pH of bases

  • Basic solutions (strong or weak) always have more OH- than H+ ions
  • Since the concentration of OH- is always greater than the concentration of H+ ions, [H+] is always smaller than 10-7 mol dm-3
  • Using the pH formula, this means that the pH of basic solutions is always above 7
  • The higher the [OH-] of the base, the higher the pH

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Francesca

Author: Francesca

Fran studied for a BSc in Chemistry with Forensic Science, and since graduating taught A level Chemistry in the UK for over 11 years. She studied for an MBA in Senior Leadership, and has held a number of roles during her time in Education, including Head of Chemistry, Head of Science and most recently as an Assistant Headteacher. In this role, she used her passion for education to drive improvement and success for staff and students across a number of subjects in addition to Science, supporting them to achieve their full potential. Fran has co-written Science textbooks, delivered CPD for teachers, and worked as an examiner for a number of UK exam boards.