What is the [H+] of a solution of baking soda with a pH of 8.5? Can you explain how you got your answer?

Question

aaronq · Answer

$\sf  pH=-log[H^+]$

dairn · Answer

@aaronq  How does the pH of 8.5 come into play?

aaronq · Answer

that's an equation, plug in pH = 8.5 and solve for $[H^+]$

dairn · Answer

Yes, however how do I solve it / where does the pH of 8.5 appear in the answer? I have the feeling I'm doing it wrong.

What answer do you get and how did you get it? Would it just be 1 x 10^-8.5 M? I have no idea how to use logs as I am a sophomore in Chem; I haven't learned about logs in algebra yet. :-P

ericwise · Answer

Type your problem into wolfram alpha, I've set "x" to represent "H+" You can click here to see how it solves the equation for you: https://www.wolframalpha.com/input/?i=8.5+%3D+-log%28x%29 Your answer is 0.00020347

dairn · Answer

Thank you very much!