What is the pH range of a strong acid?

What is the pH range of a strong acid?

• A. Below 3 (acidic)
• B. Between 7 and 14
• C. Around 7
• D. Between 3 and 6

Answer: (A)

The main idea is that pH reflects how many hydrogen ions are in a solution. A strong acid dissociates completely in water, releasing lots of H+ ions. That large amount of hydrogen ions pushes the pH into the acidic part of the scale, typically below 3 for common strong-acid solutions. The lower the pH, the more acidic the solution. In contrast, a neutral solution sits around pH 7, and weaker or diluted acids have pH values higher than 3 (and up to about 6). So a strong acid is characterized by a pH that falls below 3.

The main idea is that pH reflects how many hydrogen ions are in a solution. A strong acid dissociates completely in water, releasing lots of H+ ions. That large amount of hydrogen ions pushes the pH into the acidic part of the scale, typically below 3 for common strong-acid solutions. The lower the pH, the more acidic the solution. In contrast, a neutral solution sits around pH 7, and weaker or diluted acids have pH values higher than 3 (and up to about 6). So a strong acid is characterized by a pH that falls below 3.