Question

What is the correct increasing order of the $pH$ values of the following solutions with equal concentrations?

• A. $HCl<NaOH<C{H}_{3}COOH$
• B. $HCl<C{H}_{3}COOH<NaOH$
• C. $NaOH<HCl<C{H}_{3}COOH$
• D. $C{H}_{3}COOH<HCl<NaOH$

Answer 1

The correct option is B $HCl<C{H}_{3}COOH<NaOH$

$HCl$ is a strong acid, therefore its $pH$ is lower than $C{H}_{3}COOH$ and $NaOH$.

$C{H}_{3}COOH$ is a weak acid so its pH will be between strong acid $HCl$ and strong base $NaOH$.

$NaOH$ is a strong base, therefore, its pH is the highest among the given species.

Therefore the order is $HCl<C{H}_{3}COOH<NaOH$

Option $B$ is correct.