Are pH and pOH opposites?

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Daniel Rivas 3L
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Joined: Fri Sep 29, 2017 7:07 am

Are pH and pOH opposites?

Postby Daniel Rivas 3L » Mon Dec 04, 2017 9:55 pm

I know that pH and pOH can be calculated if you know one or the other. And that you can subtract one from 14 to get the other for the same acid or base. So does this mean that they are opposites in that regard? Will there sometimes be situations where you can't find one even if you have the other?

Chem_Mod
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Re: Are pH and pOH opposites?

Postby Chem_Mod » Tue Dec 05, 2017 12:12 am

pH and pOH are different ways to characterize the acidity or basicity of the same solution. They are related via pH +pOH = 14. Knowing one will always allow you to know the other given this relationship. pH is related to [H+], while pOH is related to [OH-]. A solution with pH = 2 would also have a pOH = 12.

Guadalupe T 1E
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Re: Are pH and pOH opposites?

Postby Guadalupe T 1E » Tue Dec 05, 2017 9:32 am

pH is for acids and pOH are for bases, so I guess you can say they are opposites. If you have one you should always be able to find the other.


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