A solution is either an acid or a base and it doesn't react with metal. Is its pH more likely to be 4 or 9? Explain your answer.
Answer (2)
It is more likely 9. pH 4 is acidic and pH 9 is basic, and as the pH of a substance gets closer to 0 or 14, the substance becomes more corrosive or reactive. As 4 is closer to 0 than 9 is to 14, there is a much higher chance the solution has a pH of 9, because pH 4 is less neutral and therefore more corrosive/reactive than pH 9.
The solution is more likely to have a pH of 9 rather than 4, as it does not react with metals, which suggests it is a base. A basic solution has a higher pH than 7, confirming it's not acidic. Thus, pH 9 is the more appropriate choice.
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