Question

1 c.c of 0.1 N HCl is added to a 1 liter solution of sodium chloride. The pH of the resulting solution will be:
A) 7
B) 0
C) 10
D) 4

Answer 1

Hint: The pH of any solution can be determined from the concentration of $$H^{+}$$ in the solution. The concentration of $$H^{+}$$will be determined from the concentration of HCl. There is a formula to calculate the pH of the solution.
pH = -log[$$H^{+}$$]
The units to express the concentration of $$H^{+}$$ ion is $$mol.L^{-1}$$ or M.

Complete answer:
In the question it is given that volume of HCL = 1 c.c = 0.001 L
Volume of NaCl = 1 L
Normality of HCL = 0.1 N
We have to find the pH of the resulting solution.
Normality volume = (0.1) (0.001)
= 0.0001 L = $${10}^{-4}$$L
Volume of total solution = Volume of NaCl + Volume of HCL
= 1 + 0.001 = 1.001 L
Meanwhile sodium chloride is a salt and is neutral in nature. So, it does not affect the pH of a solution.
Normality of HCL in a resulting solution = $${\displaystyle \frac{0.0001}{1.001}}$$
= 0.0001 N
pH = -log[$$H^{+}$$]
      = - log (0.0001)
      = - log ($${10}^{-4}$$)
      = 4
Therefore the pH of the solution is 4.

So, the correct option is D.

Note: If an acid solution contains sodium chloride, the concentration of the acid solution is not going to change because sodium chloride is a salt and is neutral in nature. Due to its neutral behavior it does not affect the concentration of the acid solution and its presence is negligible.