A solution with a pH of 3 is best described as:
- A.Strongly alkaline
- B.Neutral
- C.Weakly acidic
- D.Strongly acidic
Show answer & rationale
Correct answer
D. Strongly acidic
Rationale
D is correct: The pH scale runs from 0 (most acidic) to 14 (most alkaline), with 7 as neutral. A pH of 3 is well below neutral and represents a strongly acidic solution. Each unit decrease in pH represents a 10-fold increase in hydrogen ion concentration. A is incorrect: Strongly alkaline solutions have a pH above 10. B is incorrect: Neutral pH is exactly 7. C is incorrect: Weakly acidic solutions have a pH of approximately 5-6.9, not as low as 3.
Key concepts
pH scaleAcids and basesHydrogen ion concentration