alleryStart learning →What does measuring the pH of a weak acid solution of known concentration reveal?
AThat the acid has fully ionized
BThat the acid has not ionized at all
CThat only a fraction has ionized
DThat the acid has decomposed fully
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: C. That only a fraction has ionized
1. The concentration tells you how much acid was added to the solution.
2. The pH tells you how much hydronium ion is actually there.
3. For a weak acid the second is far smaller than the first would suggest.
4. That gap shows only a fraction of the acid is ionized at any moment.
_Source: OpenStax Chemistry (CC BY 4.0), Ch 14 "Acid-Base Equilibria", section The Ionization of Weak Acids and Weak Bases_
Keep practising Acid-Base Equilibria
Browse all Acid-Base Equilibria questions for JAMB UTME, or explore more Chemistry topics.
Related questions
Spot the odd oneStrong or weak?Acids and bases bingoCatch the acidic signsProton donor or acceptor?Sodium chloride solution is neutral. What does that say about its ions?Which compounds are named as the most familiar bases?Which taste was recognised as characteristic of acids in the eighteenth century?