How can I suggest a reason for the deviation for the pH of 4 M HCl?
As my answer I put,
The pH of 4 M HCl is negative because a molarity of an acid solution greater than 1 produces a negative pH. A negative pH means that the concentration of H+ or H3O+ ions is greater than 1 mol per liter.
With that answer, I don't think I've really giving a suggestion though... what can I add?
Any help would be great. THanks
What you have said is correct. As to whether or not you should say more depends upon the circumstances. You might calculate it by pH = -log(H^+)
To suggest a reason for the deviation in the pH of a 4 M HCl solution, you can consider factors such as impurities or dilution errors. Here's an expanded answer with a suggestion:
"The pH of a 4 M HCl solution is negative because a molarity of an acid solution greater than 1 produces a negative pH. This indicates that the concentration of H+ or H3O+ ions is greater than 1 mol per liter. However, when working with concentrated solutions like 4 M HCl, there may be other factors that can contribute to a deviation in the measured pH value. One possible reason for the deviation could be the presence of impurities in the HCl solution. Impurities from the handling or preparation process can affect the actual concentration of H+ ions, leading to a slightly different pH reading. Another possibility is the occurrence of dilution errors during the preparation of the 4 M HCl solution, which can affect the accuracy of the pH measurement. It is always important to carefully handle and prepare solutions to minimize potential errors or impurities."
By mentioning the possibility of impurities or dilution errors, you provide a suggestion for factors that could contribute to a deviation in the pH measurement.