SUMMARY
Strong acids and bases can indeed have negative pH values in practice, as demonstrated by superacids like 10M HCl, which has a pH of -1. This phenomenon is not merely theoretical; it occurs under specific conditions. While Ostwald's dilution principle suggests that pH typically ranges from 0 to 14 for most solutions, this law does not apply to extremely concentrated solutions, where deviations can occur.
PREREQUISITES
- Understanding of pH scale and its implications
- Familiarity with strong acids and bases, particularly HCl
- Knowledge of Ostwald's dilution principle
- Concept of superacids and their properties
NEXT STEPS
- Research the properties and examples of superacids
- Study the implications of Ostwald's dilution principle in various concentrations
- Explore the behavior of pH in concentrated solutions
- Investigate the practical applications of negative pH values in chemistry
USEFUL FOR
Chemists, chemical engineers, and students studying acid-base chemistry will benefit from this discussion, particularly those interested in the behavior of strong acids and the limits of pH measurement.