What is the pH of a 0.020 M HClO4 solution? (Strong acid)

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Multiple Choice

What is the pH of a 0.020 M HClO4 solution? (Strong acid)

Explanation:
Strong acids fully dissociate in water, so the hydrogen ion concentration is essentially the same as the acid’s concentration. For 0.020 M HClO4, [H+] = 0.020 M. The pH is defined as pH = -log10[H+], so pH = -log10(0.020) = -log10(2.0 × 10^-2) = -(log10(2.0) + log10(10^-2)) = -(0.3010 - 2) ≈ 1.70. Since a 0.02 M solution yields about 1.70 on the pH scale, that value is the correct result. Other choices would imply different [H+] values, which wouldn’t apply for a strong acid like HClO4 at this concentration.

Strong acids fully dissociate in water, so the hydrogen ion concentration is essentially the same as the acid’s concentration. For 0.020 M HClO4, [H+] = 0.020 M. The pH is defined as pH = -log10[H+], so pH = -log10(0.020) = -log10(2.0 × 10^-2) = -(log10(2.0) + log10(10^-2)) = -(0.3010 - 2) ≈ 1.70. Since a 0.02 M solution yields about 1.70 on the pH scale, that value is the correct result. Other choices would imply different [H+] values, which wouldn’t apply for a strong acid like HClO4 at this concentration.

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