HW 7th edition 6B.9

[Kathryn Wilhem 1I]

For 6B.9 part a row i and ii, we are given a chart giving just the [H3O+] for i and [OH-] for ii and we have to find the pH, pOH, [H3O+], and [OH-]. For i, we are given [H3O+] = 1.50M. If we use the formula pH = -log[H3O+], then we get a negative pH, and the same goes for using pOH = -log[OH-] in ii using the given [OH-] = 1.50M. How do we know when to use the negative sign in the formula or not?

[juleschang16]

You always use the negative sign in the pH formula, regardless of the outcome.

[Samantha Hoegl Roy 2C]

For part i) why is the OH- concentration 1.5 x 10^-14? I thought the equation for was a concentration of H3o+ multiplied by the concentration of OH- = 10 x 10^-14
thus OH- conc = 10 x 10^-14 / 1.5 but that seems to be wrong

[Julia Lindner 1I]

I had the same question... both part i) and part ii) run into the same problem, where taking the negative log of 1.50 gives -0.176 instead of positive 0.176. Anyone have an idea what's happening?