if [H30+] of a solution is greater than [OH-], the solution is... Why?

Question

I thought of the H30+ referring to pH and when the pH increases, it is more basic on the scale since we are reading pH. Is this correct?

Answer 1

The [H₃O⁺] can refer to pH, and the greater the [H₃O⁺], the more acidic. This is because pH = -log [H₃O⁺].

When pH increases, it more basic, but the pH isn't increasing when the [H3O+] is increasing. See examples below:

[H₃O⁺] = 0.001; pH = -log 0.001, pH = 3

[H₃O⁺] = 0.01; pH = -log 0.01, pH = 2

[H₃O⁺] = 0.10; pH = -log 0.10, pH = 1

As the [H₃O⁺] increases, the pH decreases, and becomes more acidic. Hope this makes sense.