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Pure liquid water exists primarily as molecules of H2O. Some (very few) H2O molecules in liquid water will dissociate (separate) into one free H+ ion and one free OH- ion. The number of H+ and OH- ions in pure water are equal (H/OH=1), which makes water neutral. When a compound is added to water that shifts the ratio of H+ and OH- ions so that there is more free H+ than free OH- (H/OH>1) the solution becomes acidic.

The easiest way to make water acidic is to add something to the water that will dissociate into H+ ions and negative ions that are not OH-. For example, sulfuric acid (H2SO4) will separate into two H+ ions and one SO4- ion. Thus, every one molecule of H2SO4 added to water will make the ratio of H/OH = 3 (one H+ from the water plus two H+ from the sulfuric acid divided by one OH- from water = 3).

As an extra bit of info... Free H+ ions in water will always associate with an H2O molecule to produce H3O+. Thus, the ratio of H3O/OH is what we are actually calculating.

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What distinguishes an acidic solution from a basic solution?

The main difference between an acidic solution and a basic solution lies in their pH levels. An acidic solution has a pH below 7, indicating a higher concentration of hydrogen ions. On the other hand, a basic solution has a pH above 7, indicating a higher concentration of hydroxide ions.


What is the difference between acidic solution and a basic solution?

An acidic solution has a pH below 7, indicating an excess of hydrogen ions, while a basic solution has a pH above 7, indicating an excess of hydroxide ions. Acids tend to donate protons, while bases tend to accept protons.


What is the difference between acidic oxide and basic oxide?

Acidic oxides react with water to form acids, while basic oxides react with water to form bases. Acidic oxides have a higher concentration of oxygen ions, leading to a more acidic solution when dissolved in water. Basic oxides have a higher concentration of metal ions, resulting in a more basic solution when dissolved in water.


Difference between acidic oxide and basic oxide?

An acidic oxide reacts with water to form an acid solution, while a basic oxide reacts with water to form a basic solution. Acidic oxides are typically nonmetal oxides, such as carbon dioxide (CO2), while basic oxides are typically metal oxides, such as sodium oxide (Na2O).


As an acidic solution is added to a basic solution the pH of the basic solution decreases?

Yes, as an acidic solution is added to a basic solution, the pH of the basic solution will decrease because the acidic solution introduces more H+ ions, thereby shifting the pH of the combined solution towards a more acidic value.

Related Questions

What distinguishes an acidic solution from a basic solution?

The main difference between an acidic solution and a basic solution lies in their pH levels. An acidic solution has a pH below 7, indicating a higher concentration of hydrogen ions. On the other hand, a basic solution has a pH above 7, indicating a higher concentration of hydroxide ions.


What is the reaction between and acidic and basic solution?

Neutralization


What is the difference between acidic solution and a basic solution?

An acidic solution has a pH below 7, indicating an excess of hydrogen ions, while a basic solution has a pH above 7, indicating an excess of hydroxide ions. Acids tend to donate protons, while bases tend to accept protons.


What is the reaction between an acidic and a basic solution called?

This is called a neutralization reaction.


What is the difference between acidic oxide and basic oxide?

Acidic oxides react with water to form acids, while basic oxides react with water to form bases. Acidic oxides have a higher concentration of oxygen ions, leading to a more acidic solution when dissolved in water. Basic oxides have a higher concentration of metal ions, resulting in a more basic solution when dissolved in water.


Is Seltzer basic or acidic?

The solution is acidic.


Difference between acidic oxide and basic oxide?

An acidic oxide reacts with water to form an acid solution, while a basic oxide reacts with water to form a basic solution. Acidic oxides are typically nonmetal oxides, such as carbon dioxide (CO2), while basic oxides are typically metal oxides, such as sodium oxide (Na2O).


As an acidic solution is added to a basic solution the pH of the basic solution decreases?

Yes, as an acidic solution is added to a basic solution, the pH of the basic solution will decrease because the acidic solution introduces more H+ ions, thereby shifting the pH of the combined solution towards a more acidic value.


Is an aqueous solution of calcium hydroxide acidic or basic?

This solution is basic.


Is ZnSO4 acidic or basic?

It is a neutral salt but its aqueous solution is acidic in nature.


What is a solution with a pH of 2.2 acidic basic or neutral?

acidic


What determines if a solution is acidic or basic?

The concentration of hydrogen ions (H+) in a solution determines if it is acidic or basic. If the concentration of H+ is higher than the concentration of hydroxide ions (OH-), the solution is acidic. If the concentration of H+ is lower than the concentration of OH-, the solution is basic.