pH and pOH

Self-Ionization of Water

 Pure water is not 100% H2O molecules. Instead, a small number of water molecules are
constantly breaking up into H3O+ and OH- ions. This is called the “self-ionization of
water.”

2H2O(l) ↔ H3O+(aq) + OH-(aq)

Self-Ionization of Water

2H2O(l) ↔ H3O+(aq) + OH-(aq)

Kw = [H3O+] x [OH-]
Kw = 1 x 10-14

Remember, a small Keq means that you have more reactants

than products at equilibrium!
pH and pOH

 Acidsproduce [H3O+] ions and bases produce

[OH-] ions. This means that:

[H3O+] > [OH] → acidic solution

[H3O+] < [OH] → basic solution
[H3O+] = [OH] → neutral solution
pH and Acidity

 This self-ionization means that all water and aqueous solutions

(whether they are acidic, basic, or neutral) have H3O+ (and OH-)
ions at equilibrium.

 pH is a way to measure them.

 pH Formula: pH = -log[H3O+]
pH and Acidity

 pH = -log[H3O+]

 Example: An acidic solution with [H3O+] = 0.001 M

0.001 M = 1 x 10-3 M
-log(1x10-3) = 3
The pH of this solution is 3.
(pH does not have a label)
pH and Acidity

 What is the pH of a solution with 2.3 x 10-8 M [H3O+]?

 Answer: -log(2.3x10-8) = 7.64

 The lower the pH, the more H3O+ ions are present.

 (Look at the exponents in the concentration! The bigger the negative

number, the smaller the concentration of H3O+ ions!)
pH and Acidity

The lower the pH, the more H3O+ ions are present.

pH < 7 → Acidic
pH > 7 → Basic
pH = 7 → Neutral
pH and pOH

pH formula: pH = -log[H3O+]

pOH formula: pOH = -log[OH-]

pH + pOH = 14

(These formulas will help when you have to determine OH-

concentrations!]