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pH of Strong and Weak Acids

The pH of 0.1 M solutions of HCl and acetic acid are compared.

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Discussion
The pH of a 0.1 M solution of the strong electrolyte hydrochloric acid, is measured as 1.2. The pH of a 0.1 M solution of the weak electrolyte acetic acid is measured as 2.9. Even though the solutions have the same molar concentrations, the weak electrolyte is much less ionized that the strong electrolyte.