As an acidic solution is added to a basic solution, the pH of the basic solution

As an acidic solution is added to a basic solution, the pH of the basic solution

• A. Decreases
• B. Increases
• C. Remains the same
• D. Fluctuates

Answer: (A)

The pH decreases. pH measures how acidic a solution is through the concentration of hydronium ions. When you add an acidic solution to a basic one, extra H+ ions raise the overall acidity. In water, pH = -log[H3O+], so increasing [H3O+] lowers the pH value. Additionally, the acid neutralizes some of the base (H+ + OH- → H2O), which reduces the solution’s basicity and pushes the pH toward neutral or even acidic as more acid is added. If a lot of acid is added, the pH will drop further; near neutral, it may approach 7, and beyond that it can become acidic with even lower pH.

The pH decreases. pH measures how acidic a solution is through the concentration of hydronium ions. When you add an acidic solution to a basic one, extra H+ ions raise the overall acidity. In water, pH = -log[H3O+], so increasing [H3O+] lowers the pH value. Additionally, the acid neutralizes some of the base (H+ + OH- → H2O), which reduces the solution’s basicity and pushes the pH toward neutral or even acidic as more acid is added. If a lot of acid is added, the pH will drop further; near neutral, it may approach 7, and beyond that it can become acidic with even lower pH.