A solution with a pH of 5 would be classified as?

A solution with a pH of 5 would be classified as?

• A. Neutral
• B. Acidic
• C. Alkaline
• D. Supersaturated

Answer: (B)

A solution with a pH of 5 is classified as acidic because the pH scale ranges from 0 to 14, where values below 7 indicate acidity, 7 is neutral, and values above 7 indicate alkalinity. In this scale, a pH of 5 suggests that the concentration of hydrogen ions (H+) is higher than that of hydroxide ions (OH-), which is characteristic of acidic solutions. Thus, any solution with a pH lower than 7, including 5, is defined as acidic. The choice of neutral applies to a pH of exactly 7, indicating a balanced concentration of H+ and OH- ions, making it neither acidic nor alkaline. Alkaline refers to solutions with a pH above 7, showing dominance of hydroxide ions. Supersaturated is not relevant in the context of pH, as it refers to a state where a solution contains more solute than it can theoretically hold at a given temperature and pressure, not acidity or alkalinity. Therefore, the correct classification for a solution with a pH of 5 is indeed acidic.

A solution with a pH of 5 is classified as acidic because the pH scale ranges from 0 to 14, where values below 7 indicate acidity, 7 is neutral, and values above 7 indicate alkalinity. In this scale, a pH of 5 suggests that the concentration of hydrogen ions (H+) is higher than that of hydroxide ions (OH-), which is characteristic of acidic solutions. Thus, any solution with a pH lower than 7, including 5, is defined as acidic.

The choice of neutral applies to a pH of exactly 7, indicating a balanced concentration of H+ and OH- ions, making it neither acidic nor alkaline. Alkaline refers to solutions with a pH above 7, showing dominance of hydroxide ions. Supersaturated is not relevant in the context of pH, as it refers to a state where a solution contains more solute than it can theoretically hold at a given temperature and pressure, not acidity or alkalinity. Therefore, the correct classification for a solution with a pH of 5 is indeed acidic.