Question

At 40 degrees Celsius, the value of Kw is 2.92 X 10^-14

a.) calculate the [H+] and [OH-] in pure water at 40 degrees celsius

b.)what is the pH in pure water at 40 degrees celsius

c.)if [OH-] is .18M , what is the pH

Answer 1

H2O ==> H^+ + OH^-
You know Kw = (H^+)(OH^-) = 2.92 x 10^-14.
AND you know (H^+) = (OH^-)in pure water.
Then pH = - log (H^+)
Post your work if you get stuck.

Answer 2

I already worked out (c), but the rest is still just mush. I'm sorry for my stupidity, but this just doesn't make sense. I can find [H+] or [OH-] as long as I have the concentration of 1 of them, so, ???

Answer 3

By the way, how do you find H+ and OH- concentrations from the pH? I have scoured my text book, but found nothing.

Answer 4

(a)
H2O ==> H^+ + OH^-
for every x mols H2O that dissociate, there are x mols H^+ and x mols OH^- so
since Kw = (H^+)(OH^-) = 2.92 x 10^-14
then x*x= 2.92 x 10^-14
so x = sqrt 2.92 x 10^-14

(b)I assume you can do pH = -log(H^+) now that you know (H^+).
The answer you should obtain is 6.76731 which rounds to 6.77

Here is how you find pH from (H^+).
Suppose pH = 5.32
pH = - log(H^+)
5.32 = -log(H^+)
-5.32 = log(H^+)
So you take the antilog of -5.32. To do that, enter 5.32 on your calculator, change the sign to - (or enter -5.32 at the beginning), then punch the 10^x key on your calculator. If you have done it right, you should get 4.7863 x 10^-6. Of course that's too many significant figures; however, I copied ALL of the digits so you can check your calculator ability. Now just to make sure you get it, use pH = 6.76731 and see if you get the same answer as you have for (a).
Let me know if this isn't clear.

Answer 5

a. 1.71 x 10^-7
b.6.76
c. 12.54