An unknown substance is dissolved in water. The solution is corrosive, conducts electricity, and has a higher concentration of H + ions than OH-ions. What kind of solution does this unknown substance form?

A. An acidic solution

B. A basic solution

C. A neutral solution

D. There is no way to tell whether it is an acid or a base.

A

Explanation:

These are the properties of an acidic solution. The higher the H + ions in the solution the higher the acidity. H + is also a measure of pH because pH is the negative log of the H + ions in a solution. The more the H + ions, the lower the pH of the solution. The H + ions also allow the solution to conduct electricity because they take up the electrons and transport across from the anode to the cathode. Acidic solutions are also corrosive because they are highly oxidizing - the H + ions accept electrons to turn to H₂ gas.