Compared to a neutral solution, a solution with a pH of 3 is:

Compared to a neutral solution, a solution with a pH of 3 is:

• A. Less acidic
• B. Neutral
• C. More acidic
• D. Not acidic

Answer: (C)

Acidity is determined by hydrogen ion concentration; the lower the pH, the higher the acidity. Neutral water is around pH 7, where [H+] is balanced with [OH−]. Acids have pH values below 7, and the smaller the pH number, the more acidic the solution. A pH of 3 corresponds to [H+] about 1 x 10^-3 M, which is roughly a thousand times more hydrogen ions than neutral water (about 1 x 10^-7 M). So, compared to a neutral solution, this one is more acidic. The other options describe higher pH or a neutral state, which do not apply here.

Acidity is determined by hydrogen ion concentration; the lower the pH, the higher the acidity. Neutral water is around pH 7, where [H+] is balanced with [OH−]. Acids have pH values below 7, and the smaller the pH number, the more acidic the solution. A pH of 3 corresponds to [H+] about 1 x 10^-3 M, which is roughly a thousand times more hydrogen ions than neutral water (about 1 x 10^-7 M). So, compared to a neutral solution, this one is more acidic. The other options describe higher pH or a neutral state, which do not apply here.