Calculate the [H3O^+] of an aqueous solution that is 9.9 × 10^-13 M in OH. Be sure your answer has the correct number of significant figures

Note: Reference the Fundamental constants table for additional information.

1 answer

To find the concentration of \([H_3O^+]\) in an aqueous solution, we can use the relationship between the concentrations of \([H_3O^+]\) and \([OH^-]\) given by the ion product of water (\(K_w\)) at 25°C:

\[ K_w = [H_3O^+][OH^-] = 1.0 \times 10^{-14} \]

Given that the concentration of hydroxide ions \([OH^-]\) is \(9.9 \times 10^{-13}\) M, we can rearrange the equation to solve for \([H_3O^+]\):

\[ [H_3O^+] = \frac{K_w}{[OH^-]} \]

Substituting the known values:

\[ [H_3O^+] = \frac{1.0 \times 10^{-14}}{9.9 \times 10^{-13}} \]

Now, performing the division:

\[ [H_3O^+] = \frac{1.0}{9.9} \times 10^{-14 + 13} = \frac{1.0}{9.9} \times 10^{-1} \]

Calculating \(1.0 / 9.9\):

\[ 1.0 / 9.9 \approx 0.10101 \]

So,

\[ [H_3O^+] \approx 0.10101 \times 10^{-1} \approx 1.0101 \times 10^{-2} \]

Now rounding according to significant figures:

The value \(9.9 \times 10^{-13}\) has 2 significant figures, so we round \(1.0101 \times 10^{-2}\) to 2 significant figures as well:

\[ [H_3O^+] \approx 1.0 \times 10^{-2} \]

Thus, the concentration of \([H_3O^+]\) is:

\[ \boxed{1.0 \times 10^{-2} \text{ M}} \]