Negative pH

[Sara Lakamsani 4D]

Can be pH be negative? If the concentration of H+ is over 1, then the -log of it would be negative right?

[Emmaraf 1K]

Correct.

[Chris Freking 2G]

pH can be negative if the concentration of H+ ions have a molarity over 1.

See viewtopic.php?t=24564

[Patrick Cai 1L]

For most intents, I think we will not be using such cases of superacids, as these are rather rare anomalies as compared to the scope of Chem 14B.

[Shreya_Bharadwaj_1D]

Most acids that we use in class will probably be from 0 to 14 on the pH scale and we are unlikely to run into any "superacids" that have negative pHs

[taryn_baldus2E]

This would be known as a superacid, which will not be commonly presented or mentioned in this chemistry course due to its lack of presence in biology.

[Samantha Chang 2K]

pH can be negative, but in class it the pH utilized will mostly be in the range of 0-14. pH can be negative with super acids!

[ran2000]

True. Professor Lavelle referred to these acids as super acids.

[Nicolle Fernandez 1E]

Yes a pH can be negative and these are known as superacids, but we will most likely not be dealing with them.

[Kyither Min 2K]

Yes, pH can be negative since pH is just the -log of the concentration of hydronium. pH can also exceed 14.

[madisondesilva1c]

If we encounter a problem where pH is negative, are we supposed to note that this is a super acid? Or is notation not required?

[Nikki Bych 1I]

Unless the question pertains to identifying what substance it is, we probably won't be asked to identify a superacid/base.

[Sara Lakamsani 4D]

Thanks for all your responses!