The initial solution in a titration is 20.0 mL of .2M (nitric acid). The nitric acid is titrated with .15M KOH in 5.0 mL volumes.
(1) What is the initial pH of the nitric acid solution?
Nitric acid is a strong acid and therefore dissociates almost completely in water. The concentration of the hydronium ions must be .2M as well. This concentration yields a pH of
(2) What is the pH after the addition of 10.0 mL of potassium hydroxide?
Potassium hydroxide is a strong base and also dissociates almost completely in water. Since every molecule of nitric acid produces one hydronium ion and every
molecule of potassium hydroxide produces one hydroxide ion, the amount of potassium hydroxide added will neutralize an equal amount of nitric acid. (In this titration, since