Understanding the Concepts
* NaOH is a strong base: This means it dissociates completely in water, producing hydroxide ions (OH⁻).
* pH and pOH:
* pH measures the acidity of a solution (lower pH = more acidic).
* pOH measures the basicity of a solution (lower pOH = more basic).
* Relationship between pH and pOH: pH + pOH = 14
Calculations
1. Find the concentration of hydroxide ions [OH⁻]:
Since NaOH dissociates completely, the concentration of OH⁻ ions is equal to the initial concentration of NaOH:
[OH⁻] = 2.34 x 10⁻⁵ M
2. Calculate the pOH:
pOH = -log[OH⁻]
pOH = -log(2.34 x 10⁻⁵)
pOH ≈ 4.63
3. Calculate the pH:
pH + pOH = 14
pH = 14 - pOH
pH = 14 - 4.63
pH ≈ 9.37
Therefore, the pH of the 2.34 x 10⁻⁵ M NaOH solution is approximately 9.37, and the pOH is approximately 4.63.
