1. What is pH and pOH?

pH and pOH are measures of acidity and alkalinity of a solution. pH represents the negative logarithm of hydrogen ion concentration, while pOH represents the negative logarithm of hydroxide ion concentration. They are inversely related through the water dissociation constant.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the pH and pOH formulas:

Where:

• \( [H^+] \) — Hydrogen ion concentration (mol/L)
• \( [OH^-] \) — Hydroxide ion concentration (mol/L)

Explanation: The logarithmic scale allows for convenient representation of the wide range of hydrogen and hydroxide ion concentrations found in aqueous solutions.

3. Importance of pH and pOH Calculation

Details: Accurate pH and pOH calculations are crucial for chemical analysis, biological systems, environmental monitoring, and industrial processes where acidity or alkalinity control is essential.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter hydrogen ion concentration and hydroxide ion concentration in mol/L. Both values must be positive numbers greater than zero.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is the relationship between pH and pOH?
A: pH + pOH = 14 at 25°C, based on the water dissociation constant Kw = [H+][OH-] = 1.0 × 10^-14.

Q2: What are normal pH values for common substances?
A: Pure water has pH 7, acidic solutions have pH < 7, basic solutions have pH > 7. Human blood is typically pH 7.35-7.45.

Q3: Why use logarithmic scale for pH?
A: The logarithmic scale compresses the wide range of hydrogen ion concentrations (from 1 to 10^-14 mol/L) into a manageable scale of 0-14.

Q4: Are there limitations to pH calculations?
A: These calculations assume ideal behavior and may need adjustment for very concentrated solutions or non-aqueous solvents.

Q5: How does temperature affect pH?
A: Temperature affects the water dissociation constant, so the neutral point (pH = pOH) shifts from 7 at different temperatures.