Which statement best describes the difference between a substance with a pH of 3.0 and a substance with a pH of 6.0?(1 point)

The substance with the higher pH has twice as many hydrogen ions per volume of water.
The substance with the lower pH has 1,000 times as many hydrogen ions per volume of water.
The substance with the lower pH has twice as many hydrogen ions per volume of water.
The substance with the higher pH has 1,000 times as many hydrogen ions per volume of water.

1 answer

The correct statement is: The substance with the lower pH has 1,000 times as many hydrogen ions per volume of water.

Here's the reasoning: The pH scale is logarithmic, meaning each whole number change represents a tenfold difference in hydrogen ion concentration. A pH of 3.0 indicates a hydrogen ion concentration of 10^(-3) moles per liter, while a pH of 6.0 indicates a hydrogen ion concentration of 10^(-6) moles per liter. Thus, the difference between pH 3.0 and pH 6.0 is three units, representing a 10^3 or 1,000 times difference in hydrogen ion concentration.