One brand of vinegar has a pH of 4 point 5 Another brand has a pH of 5 point 0 The equation for the pH of a substance is pH is equal to negative log times open bracket cap h raised to the plus power close bracket , where H+ is the concentration of hydrogen ions. What is the approximate difference in the concentration of hydrogen ions between the two brands of vinegar?
Answer
A
2 point 2 times 10 to the negative 5 power
B
6 point 8 times 10 to the 4th power
C
3 point 2 times 10 inverse
D
3 point 2 times 10 to the 1th power
Explanation
Rearrange pH = −log₁₀[H⁺] to get [H⁺] = 10^(−pH). The vinegar with pH 4.5 has about 10^(−4.5) = 3.16 × 10⁻⁵ hydrogen ions per unit volume, while the vinegar with pH 5.0 has 10⁻⁵. Their difference is about 3.16 × 10⁻⁵ − 1.00 × 10⁻⁵ = 2.16 × 10⁻⁵, which rounds to 2.2 × 10⁻⁵, choice B.
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