When a solution has an equal number of hydrogen and hydroxide ions, the solution is considered:

When a solution has an equal number of hydrogen and hydroxide ions, the solution is considered:

• A. Acidic
• B. Neutral
• C. Positive
• D. Negative

Answer: (B)

Equal amounts of hydrogen ions and hydroxide ions indicate neutrality. When H+ and OH- concentrations balance, the solution’s pH is 7, so it’s neither acidic nor basic. Acidic solutions have more H+ than OH-, while basic solutions have more OH- than H+. The terms positive or negative describe overall electric charge, not acidity, so a neutral solution has no net charge. In pure water at room temperature, [H+] and [OH-] are both about 1×10^-7 M, yielding pH 7.

Equal amounts of hydrogen ions and hydroxide ions indicate neutrality. When H+ and OH- concentrations balance, the solution’s pH is 7, so it’s neither acidic nor basic. Acidic solutions have more H+ than OH-, while basic solutions have more OH- than H+. The terms positive or negative describe overall electric charge, not acidity, so a neutral solution has no net charge. In pure water at room temperature, [H+] and [OH-] are both about 1×10^-7 M, yielding pH 7.