High School

Identify the following solutions as acidic or basic, estimate [H₃O⁺] values for each, and rank them in order of increasing acidity:

a. Saliva, pH = 6.5

b. Orange juice, pH = 3.7

c. Pancreatic juice, pH = 7.9

d. Wine, pH = 3.5

Answer :

To identify if a solution is acidic or basic, we look at its pH value. A pH less than 7 indicates an acidic solution, a pH of 7 is neutral, and a pH greater than 7 indicates a basic (or alkaline) solution.

To estimate the hydronium ion concentration, [tex][H_3O^+][/tex], we use the formula:

[tex][H_3O^+] = 10^{-\text{pH}}[/tex]

Let's analyze each solution one by one:

  1. Saliva, pH = 6.5

    • This pH is less than 7, so saliva is acidic.
    • [tex][H_3O^+] = 10^{-6.5} = 3.16 \times 10^{-7} \text{ M}[/tex]

  2. Orange juice, pH = 3.7

    • This pH is less than 7, so orange juice is acidic.
    • [tex][H_3O^+] = 10^{-3.7} = 2.00 \times 10^{-4} \text{ M}[/tex]

  3. Pancreatic juice, pH = 7.9

    • This pH is greater than 7, so pancreatic juice is basic.
    • [tex][H_3O^+] = 10^{-7.9} = 1.26 \times 10^{-8} \text{ M}[/tex]

  4. Wine, pH = 3.5

    • This pH is less than 7, so wine is acidic.
    • [tex][H_3O^+] = 10^{-3.5} = 3.16 \times 10^{-4} \text{ M}[/tex]

Now, let's rank these solutions in order of increasing acidity (decreasing pH):

  • Pancreatic juice: pH = 7.9 (least acidic, as it's basic)
  • Saliva: pH = 6.5
  • Orange juice: pH = 3.7
  • Wine: pH = 3.5 (most acidic)

Therefore, the order from least to most acidic is pancreatic juice, saliva, orange juice, and wine.

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