Use a chemical equation to help explain why the pH of an aqueous solution changes after HCl solution has been added
This is what I got
HCL + H2O = H30+ plus CL-
Hope that makes since (those are a positive and negative signs at the right side of the equation)
Tell if I'm right, close or wrong. If I'm wrong please help me get to the right answer thanks so much :D
That is right. The addition of H3O+ molecules would lower the pH and make the solution more acidic!
Ok thank you :D
You are very close! The equation you provided correctly represents the dissociation of hydrochloric acid (HCl) in water (H2O). However, the hydronium ion (H3O+) is formed instead of H30+.
The correct chemical equation is:
HCl + H2O → H3O+ + Cl-
When hydrochloric acid (HCl) is added to water (H2O), it dissociates into H3O+ ions (hydronium ions) and Cl- ions. These H3O+ ions contribute to the acidity of the solution and lower the pH.
In the presence of excess H3O+ ions, the pH of the solution decreases, indicating an increase in acidity. This is because the concentration of H3O+ ions determines the pH value, and more H3O+ ions means a lower pH.
Therefore, when HCl is added to an aqueous solution, it increases the concentration of H3O+ ions, resulting in a decrease in pH.