Comparing Acid Rain Acidity Using pH Scale
The pH scale measures the acidity or alkalinity of a solution. It is a logarithmic scale, meaning each whole number change represents a tenfold change in acidity.
Specifically, a decrease of 1 pH unit signifies a 10 times increase in acidity (hydrogen ion concentration, [H+]). Conversely, an increase of 1 pH unit means 10 times less acidity.
Calculating Acidity Difference
We need to compare the acidity of rain with pH 4.0 to rain with pH 6.0.
- pH difference = pH of less acidic rain - pH of more acidic rain
- pH difference = $6.0 - 4.0 = 2.0$ units
Since each unit difference corresponds to a factor of 10 in acidity:
- A 2-unit difference means the acidity changes by a factor of $10^{\text{difference}}$
- Acidity factor = $10^{2.0}$
- Acidity factor = $10 \times 10 = 100$
Therefore, rain with a pH of 4.0 is 100 times more acidic than rain with a pH of 6.0.
Important Questions from Chemical Biology {p}K_a Henderson Hasselbalch
- The $pH$ of $10^{-8} \text{ M HCl (aq.)}$ is ________ (rounded off to two decimal places).
Given, $pK_w = 14$. The correct comparison of $pK_a$'s of $[Fe(H_2O)_6]^{2+}$, $[Fe(H_2O)_6]^{3+}$, $V_2O_5$ and $N_2O_5$ is
- Aspartate residues are found in the active sites of many enzymes. The pKa for the ${\beta}$-carboxylate of aspartate is 3.86. At physiological pH this group can function as
a) Assertion: Acidulates are added in soft drinks to provide a buffering action.
r) Reason: Buffers tend to prevent changes in pH and prevent excessive tartness.
Choose the correct answer from the following
- Which ONE of the following is TRUE in case of respiratory acidosis?
