If a solution has a pOH of 5, what is its pH?

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Enhance your knowledge and skills for the UCF CHM2046 Chemistry Fundamentals II Test 3. Dive into multiple choice questions with explanations and get confident for success in your exam!

To determine the pH from the given pOH, it's important to remember the relationship between pH, pOH, and the ion product of water, which is defined by the equation:

pH + pOH = 14

In this case, since the solution has a pOH of 5, you can calculate the pH by rearranging the equation:

pH = 14 - pOH

Substituting the value of pOH:

pH = 14 - 5 pH = 9

This means that when the pOH is 5, the corresponding pH of the solution is 9. A solution with this pH is classified as basic since it is above the neutral pH of 7.

Thus, the correct answer to the question about the pH corresponding to a pOH of 5 is indeed 9.