Short Answer Questions - Acids, bases and pH
1. pH is the logarithm to the base 10 of the hydrogen ion concentration. True or false?
False. pH is the negative logarithm to base 10 of the hydrogen ion concentration
2. The definition of a strong acid is 'an acid which dissolves gold'. True or false?
False. A strong acid is one which readily dissociates in water to release a proton.
3. Uric acid is an example of a strong acid. True or false?
False. Uric acid is a weak acid: in aqueous solution it dissociates weakly to release a proton.
4. An increase of pH from pH 7.5 to pH 7.8 represents a halving of the hydrogen ion concentration. True or false?
True. The hydrogen ion concentration at pH 7.5 is 32 nmol/l; at pH 7.8 it is 16 nmol/l.
5. An arterial blood pH value of 7.8 (H+ concentration 16 nmol/l) is characteristic of diabetic ketoacidosis. True or false?
False. pH 7.8 (H+ concentration 16 nmol/l) is characteristic of metabolic or respiratory alkalosis.
