Which expression correctly gives pH as a function of hydrogen ion concentration?

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Multiple Choice

Which expression correctly gives pH as a function of hydrogen ion concentration?

Explanation:
pH reflects how acidic a solution is by looking at the hydrogen ion concentration, and it is defined as the negative base-10 logarithm of that concentration. This means higher [H+] gives a smaller, more acidic pH, while lower [H+] gives a larger pH. The correct form is pH = -log10[H+]. For example, if [H+] = 1.0 × 10^-7 M, pH = -log10(1.0 × 10^-7) = 7, which is neutral at room temperature. The with-hydroxide forms aren’t pH: -log10[OH-] is pOH, and log10[OH-] (without the minus) misuses the wrong species entirely.

pH reflects how acidic a solution is by looking at the hydrogen ion concentration, and it is defined as the negative base-10 logarithm of that concentration. This means higher [H+] gives a smaller, more acidic pH, while lower [H+] gives a larger pH. The correct form is pH = -log10[H+]. For example, if [H+] = 1.0 × 10^-7 M, pH = -log10(1.0 × 10^-7) = 7, which is neutral at room temperature. The with-hydroxide forms aren’t pH: -log10[OH-] is pOH, and log10[OH-] (without the minus) misuses the wrong species entirely.

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