I am sorry, that is not correct. Check your math. Negative numbers do not
have logarithms, but logarithms THEMSELVES can be negative, and in fact are
negative for any (positive) number between 0 and 1. The log of 0.1 is minus 1,
the log of 0.01 is minus 2, etc.
The pH is actually defined as MINUS the logarithm of the hydrogen ion
concentration in moles per liter. So a pH of 7 means that the logarithm of
the hydrogen ion concentration is MINUS 7, or the concentration itself is ten
to the minus seventh power (moles per liter).
Only in extremely strong, concentrated acids will there be more than one mole
per liter. When this is true, the logarithm of the molar concentration will be
positive and therefore the pH will by definition be negative. The bottle of
muriatic acid says 20% concentration. This would mean that in a liter of acid
(1000 grams) about 200 grams would be HCl. Divide this by the molecular
weight of HCl which is about 36 and you get a little over 5 moles per liter
which would correspond to a pH of minus 0.7 If you want a more reasonable
approximation of stomach acid look up the pH of stomach acid and dilute
accordingly. Example, (I'm not a biologist) if stomach acid were pH 2, you
should dilute the muriatic acid 500 to 1.
-----Original Message-----
From: Marshall Dudley <[email protected]>
To: [email protected] <[email protected]>
Date: Thursday, November 11, 1999 12:55 PM
Subject: Re: CS an PH concerns
Bill Schramm wrote:
<?fontfamily><?param Courier New><?bigger>You can repeat your
experiments with hydrochloric acid. It is available in paint and hardware
stores in industrial grade where it is called "Muriatic Acid" and is used to
remove lime and scale (it also does a good job of removing your skin, clothing,
etc. so be careful) . Out of the bottle it is about pH minus 1.
Minus 1? ph is a logarithm and cannot be negative.
Marshall
