A chemist dissolves 484. mg of pure perchloric acid in enough water to make up 240. mL of solution. Calculate the pH of the solution. Be sure your answer has the correct number of significant digits.

1.70

Explanation:

The molar mass of perchloric acid is 100.46 g/mol. The moles corresponding to 484 mg (0.484 g) are:

0.484 g * (1 mol/100.46 g) = 4.82 * 10⁻³ mol

4.82 * 10⁻³ moles are dissolved in 240 mL (0.240 L) of solution. The molar concentration of perchloric acid is:

4.82 * 10⁻³ mol/0.240 L = 0.0201 M

Perchloric acid is a strong monoprotic acid, that is, it dissociates completely, so [H⁺] = 0.0201 M.

The pH is:

pH = - log [H⁺] = - log 0.0201 = 1.70