Question

Which statement describes characteristics of a 0.01 M KOH(aq) solution? 1. The solution is acidic with a pH less than 7. 2. The solution is acidic with a pH greater than 7. 3. The solution is basic with a pH less than 7. 4. The solution is basic with a pH greater than 7.

Answer 1

To start you must know that KOH is a base not an acid, so the solution is basic.

Now you can calculate the pH from these two equations:

1) pOH = - log [OH-]

2) pH + pOH = 14 => pH = 14 - pOH


1) pOH = - log (0.01) = 2

2) pOH = 14 - 2 = 12

Then, the answer is the option 4, the solution is basic with a pH greater than 7 (in fact, by definition a basic solution has pH greater than 7).