To compare substances with different pH values, we need to understand that pH is a logarithmic scale that measures the concentration of hydrogen ions (H⁺) in a solution. Each decrease of 1 in pH represents a tenfold increase in hydrogen ion concentration.
In this case:
- A substance with a pH of 3.0 has a concentration of hydrogen ions of \(10^{-3} , M\).
- A substance with a pH of 6.0 has a concentration of hydrogen ions of \(10^{-6} , M\).
To find the difference in hydrogen ion concentration:
\[ 10^{-3} , M , (pH , 3) , / , 10^{-6} , M , (pH , 6) = 10^{3} = 1000 \]
This shows that the substance with a pH of 3.0 (lower pH) has 1,000 times as many hydrogen ions per volume of water as the substance with a pH of 6.0 (higher pH).
Thus, the correct response is:
The substance with the lower pH has 1,000 times as many hydrogen ions per volume of water.
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