Question

Identify each of these substances as acidic, basic, or neutral.


rainwater, pOH = 8.5

cola, pOH = 11

tomato juice, pOH = 10

liquid drain cleaner, pOH = 0

Answer 1

Use pH + pOH = 14. If pH < 7 the solution is acidic, pH = 7 neutral, pH > 7 basic.

- Rainwater, pOH = 8.5 → pH = 14 − 8.5 = 5.5 → acidic
- Cola, pOH = 11 → pH = 3 → acidic (quite acidic)
- Tomato juice, pOH = 10 → pH = 4 → acidic
- Liquid drain cleaner, pOH = 0 → pH = 14 → strongly basic