Sure! Let's solve this step-by-step:
1. Understanding pH Values and Hydrogen Ion Concentration:
- The pH scale ranges from 0 to 14.
- It measures the acidity or alkalinity of a solution.
- A lower pH value indicates a higher concentration of hydrogen ions (H⁺) and thus a more acidic solution.
- Conversely, a higher pH value indicates a lower concentration of hydrogen ions and thus a more basic (alkaline) solution.
2. Analyzing the Provided pH Values:
- The given pH values are 2, 7, 10, 12, and 14.
3. Identifying the Highest Concentration of Hydrogen Ions:
- Since a lower pH indicates a higher concentration of hydrogen ions, we need to find the smallest pH value from the given set.
4. Comparing the Values:
- pH=2
- pH=7
- pH=10
- pH=12
- pH=14
Among these, the lowest pH value is 2.
5. Conclusion:
- The pH value that indicates the highest concentration of hydrogen ions is the one with the lowest numerical value.
So, the answer is:
a. 2
