1. What is the pH Adjustment Formula?

The pH adjustment formula calculates the change in pH (ΔpH) when adding a base or acid to a solution. It's based on the logarithmic relationship between the concentrations of added base and acid.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the pH adjustment formula:

Where:

• \( [\text{base added}] \) — Concentration of base added (mol/L)
• \( [\text{acid added}] \) — Concentration of acid added (mol/L)
• \( \log \) — Base-10 logarithm

Explanation: The formula shows how the ratio of base to acid concentrations affects pH change logarithmically.

3. Importance of pH Adjustment

Details: pH adjustment is crucial in chemical processes, water treatment, biological systems, and industrial applications where precise pH control is necessary.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter concentrations of base and acid in mol/L. Both values must be positive numbers (acid cannot be zero).

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What does a positive ΔpH mean?
A: A positive ΔpH indicates the solution became more basic (pH increased), while negative means more acidic (pH decreased).

Q2: What units should I use?
A: Use consistent molar units (mol/L) for both base and acid concentrations.

Q3: Can I use this for strong and weak acids/bases?
A: This formula works best for strong acids and bases. Weak acids/bases require additional calculations.

Q4: What if I only add base or only add acid?
A: For only base, set acid to a very small number (not zero). For only acid, set base to a very small number.

Q5: How precise is this calculation?
A: It provides a theoretical estimate. Actual pH changes may vary with temperature, ionic strength, and other factors.