Question

Arrange the following solutions in order of increasing pH values: CH₂COOH, H₂SO4, NH,OH, NaOH.

Answer 1

• pH is the measure of the concentration of ${\mathrm{H}}^{+}$ions and expresses the acidic or basic nature of the solution.
• pH value of acid is less than 7, and that of base is greater than 7.
• The increasing order of the pH values of solutions CH₂COOH( acetic acid), H₂SO4( sulphuric acid), ${\mathrm{NH}}_4\mathrm{OH}$(ammonium hydroxide), NaOH(sodium hydroxide) are :

Compound	pH
CH₂COOH( acetic acid)	4-5
H₂SO4( sulphuric acid)	2
${\mathrm{NH}}_4\mathrm{OH}$(ammonium hydroxide)	11
NaOH(sodium hydroxide)	15

H₂SO4 < CH₃COOH < NH₄OH < NaOH