Acids, bases and pH with worked titration steps

pH is a logarithm, and that single fact explains most of the confusion. Noeta separates concentration from strength once and for all.

What this covers

  • Brønsted–Lowry acids and bases
  • pH, pOH and the ion product of water
  • Strong vs weak acids
  • Neutralisation and salts
  • Titration calculations and curves

Worked example

Problem

Find the pH of 0.01 mol/dm³ HCl.

  1. 1
    Strength
    HCl is strong, so it dissociates fully: [H⁺] = 0.01 mol/dm³.
  2. 2
    Apply the definition
    pH = −log₁₀(0.01).
Answer: pH = 2

Mistakes that cost marks

  • Treating a weak acid as fully dissociated.
  • Confusing concentration with acid strength.
  • Forgetting pH + pOH = 14 at 25 °C.

Questions students ask

What is the difference between strong and concentrated?

Strength is how fully it dissociates; concentration is how much is dissolved. They are independent.

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