Themes > Science > Chemistry > Inorganic Chemistry > Acids and Bases > pH of Common Acids and Bases


The pH of a solution depends on the strength of the acid or base in the solution. Measurements of the pH of dilute solutions are therefore good indicators of the relative strengths of acids and bases. Values of the pH of 0.10 M solutions of a number of common acids and bases are given in the table below.

pH of 0.10 M Solutions of Common Acids and Bases

Compound   pH
HCl (hydrochloric acid)   1.1
H2SO4 (sulfuric acid)   1.2
NaHSO4 (sodium hydrogen sulfate)   1.4
H2SO3 (sulfurous acid)   1.5
H3PO4 (phosphoric acid)   1.5
HF (hydrofluoric acid)   2.1
CH3CO2H (acetic acid)   2.9
H2CO3 (carbonic acid)   3.8 (saturated solution)
H2S (hydrogen sulfide)   4.1
NaH2PO4 (sodium dihydrogen phosphate)   4.4
NH4Cl (ammonium chloride)   4.6
HCN (hydrocyanic acid)   5.1
Na2SO4 (sodium sulfate)   6.1
NaCl (sodium chloride)   6.4
NaCH3CO2 (sodium acetate)   8.4
NaHCO3 (sodium bicarbonate)   8.4
Na2HPO4 (sodium hydrogen phosphate)   9.3
Na2SO3 (sodium sulfite)   9.8
NaCN (sodium cyanide)   11.0
NH3 (aqueous ammonia)   11.1
Na2CO3 (sodium carbonate)   11.6
Na3PO4 (sodium phosphate)   12.0
NaOH (sodium hydroxide, lye)   13.0


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