Question

If a strong base, like NaOH, is added to a strong acid, like HCl, the pH of the resultant solution will _________. A.) Go up B.) Go down C.) Stay the same

Answer 1

Answer:

B.) Go down

Explanation:

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In this case, a strong base like NaOH has a high pH based on the scale wherein 7 is neutral, above 7 is basic and below 7 is acid. In such a way, by adding an acid, having a low pH, once it is added, the pH will go down until the equivalence point, which for strong base and strong acid should be 7.

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Answer 2

Answer:

B) Go down

Explanation:

pH is defined as -log [H⁺], that means when concentration of H⁺ increases the pH decreases and when concentration of H⁺ decreases, pH increases.

When a strong acid as HCl is added to a solution, it is dissolved, thus:

HCl → H⁺ + Cl⁻

Thus, addition of a strong acid decreases pH because concentration of H⁺ increases.

Right answer is:

B) Go down