How to do pH calculations:
pH is a number between 0 (acid) and 14 (base)
pH is defined as -log10 [H+]
What this usually means is just the exponent of the [H+] concentration
so,
[H+} of 1 ee -4 has a pH of 4
[H+} of 1 ee -6 has a pH of 6
[H+} of 1 ee -4 has a pOH of 10
why?
pOH is just 14 - pH, so pH + pOH always = 14
On your calculator, calculate the pH of something with a hydrogen concentration of 1 ee-3
enter 1
press ee key (to the left of 1 on the calculator)
press 3
press the +/- key (above 8 on the calculator)
press log10 (left of 4 on the calculator)
change the sign from minus to plus
you should get the answer: 4
this also works for complicated numbers like [H+] = 4 ee -3: pH = 2.39
Comments